1
Kentucky kids live with relatives, not parents


1
%
of Kentucky children have had an incarcerated parent


0
Kentucky ranks third highest in the nation for kids affected by incarceration

Our Impact


Annual Reports

See how our impact has grown. Click the year to download the report.


2020-2022 Strategic Plan

We've got big plans!

DATA FROM THE COMMUNITY

Kentucky Kids Count

Kentucky Youth Advocates

The 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT examines the impacts of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice on children and families with data disaggregated by race/ethnicity. Read more…

Families Left Behind

Oprah Winfrey Network

Lisa Ling meets the single wife and children of an inmate to find out how prison effects the family as a whole. View the video…

Minimizing the Impact of Incarceration on Children

Kentucky Youth Advocates

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non- profit, public, and private organizations that speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for Kentucky kids. Read more…

Parents Behind Bars, What Happens to Their Children

Child Trends

This report uses the National Survey of Children’s Health to examine both the prevalence of parental incarceration and child outcomes associated with it. Read more…

 

A Shared Sentence

The Annie Casey Foundation

More than 5 million U.S. children have had a parent in jail or prison at some point in their lives. The incarceration of a parent can have as much impact on a child’s well-being as abuse or domestic violence. Read more…

Supporting Families with an Incarcerated Parent

University of Louisville

Resources from the Kent School of Social Work. Read more…

IN THE NEWS

Here’s why we top the nation.​

The Herald Leader

Kentucky’s high levels of drug abuse and incarceration have helped push the state to No. 1 in the nation in the rate of children living with a relative or close family friend instead of a biological parent. Read more…

Let’s Fix Kentucky's Broken Criminal Justice System

Herald Leader

The female incarceration rate is more than two times the national average and now stands as the second-highest in America. Read more…

How Does Education in the Juvenile-Justice System Measure Up? It Doesn’t

Education Week

The evidence is clear that states must improve education opportunities for youths who are in their care or under their supervision, whether those youths are in the remaining incarceration facilities or in community-based programs. Read more…

Children With Incarcerated Parents Get Bill of Rights in Oregon

HuffPost

One in 14 children in the U.S. has one or both parents in prison — and those children are four times more likely to end up in jail themselves. Read more…

How States Can Help 5 Million Kids With A Parent Behind Bars

Huff Post

Having an incarcerated parent can be devastating for a child’s well-being. But now there are clear steps states can take to ensure these children are able to thrive. Read more…

Kentucky Has Nation’s Highest Rate Of Kids Living With Relatives Other Than Parents

89.3 WFPL

Kentucky leads the nation in the number of children in the state who lived with relatives other than their parents between 2016 and 2018. Read more…

LOCAL RESOURCES

Kentucky Counseling Center

In Franklin County, mental health counseling is available to meet with child at their school.

502-352-2208

Aging + Disability

Family Caregiver Program: This program is through Community Action and provides stipends to grandparents/caregivers raising children. Caregiver does not have to provide proof of custody, rather prove that child resides with them.

1-866-665-7921

General Assistance

Apply for state assistance online including food stamps, medical card, kinship care and childcare assistance.

benefind.ky.gov