Category: PCAK Staff

New resources help protect kids from online threats

Posted on | by Emily Bandy

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, in conjunction with the Kentucky State Police, released new resources to help parents, caregivers and professionals keep kids safe on the internet. June is National Internet Safety Month, dedicated to increasing Americans’ understanding of cyberthreats and empowering them to be safer and more secure online.

The three new tipsheets cover internet safety, cyberbullying and gaming safety. The tipsheets are available free of charge on Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s website and will be distributed statewide to organizations serving families and children.

“As the nation recognizes June as National Internet Safety Month, the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch joins Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky in notifying parents about the risks involved with social media, online gaming and other internet use by distributing strategies to protect their kids from harm and exploitation,” said Lt. Mike Bowling, commander, Electronic Crime Branch Kentucky State Police. “Unfortunately, the Electronic Crime Branch has seen an 82% increase nationally (2021-2022) in the number of online enticement complaints, which is mainly due to the alarming spike in reports involving financial sextortion. KSP has received 14,491 total CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for Kentucky, compared to 4,989 in 2021. Cybercrimes are on the rise which is why KSP has developed these guidelines to help Kentucky parents keep their kids protected from those who wish to do harm to our most vulnerable population. KSP remains committed to doing everything necessary to protect our children and reduce electronic crimes. To achieve this mission, KSP calls upon all Kentuckians to contact law enforcement immediately if illegal activity is suspected or you are notified of harm to our children.”

Around 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, computer, tablet, gaming technology or other electronic device, making them a common and easily accessible tool for cyberbullying and exploitation.

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky has been advocating for internet safety awareness and education for more than 15 years. This work includes a free online training, Electronic Crimes Against Children: How to Educate, Monitor, and Communicate Internet Safety, that provides insight into how perpetrators groom children online and what parents and caregivers can do to keep kids safe.

“Technology evolves so quickly, it is difficult for any caregiver to keep up with the latest potential threats or pitfalls facing kids online,” said PCAK Executive Director Jill Seyfred. “That’s why we work closely with the experts in the Electronic Crime Branch Kentucky State Police to ensure parents, school professionals and other caregivers know how to protect children and can effectively teach kids to protect themselves as well. We are proud to be at the forefront of this important work.”

Kentucky Nonprofits Celebrate $75 Million Investment at State Capitol

Posted on | by Emily Bandy

Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the state association of nonprofits, returned to the state Capitol on March 9 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic to celebrate Nonprofit Day at the
Capitol and more specifically, celebrate the impact of a $75 million investment of State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in relief grants for eligible nonprofit organizations.
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, and Minority Caucus Chair Representative Cherylynn Stevenson were on hand for a rally in the Rotunda announcing the impact of the funding.

KY Nonprofit Network day at The Capitol, Wednesday March 8, 2023 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Shelly Dawn Fryman Mahan Multimedia
KY Nonprofit Network day at The Capitol, Wednesday March 8, 2023 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Shelly Dawn Fryman Mahan Multimedia
KY Nonprofit Network day at The Capitol, Wednesday March 8, 2023 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Shelly Dawn Fryman Mahan Multimedia

Read more about this historic investment in Kentucky’s nonprofit sector here.

PCAK’s 2023 Public Policy Priorities

Posted on | by Ethan Sirles

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky recently announced our public policy priorities for 2023 at the state and federal levels. You can read through them below.

State

  1. Lead: Prohibiting Corporal Punishment in the schools
  2. Support: Child abuse and neglect education in schools
  3. Support: Addressing agencies have a chain of command for child abuse and neglect reports
  4. Support: Ensure appropriate reporting of child abuse and neglect across reporting agencies when an alleged perpetrator is an employee
  5. Support: Address Statute of Limitations related to sexual assault
  6. Support: Efforts to increase child care, family supports, etc.

Federal

  1. Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) increase
  2. Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) increase
  3. The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Respect Act (S. 2238 and H.R. 4151)
  4. HR3788 (VA Child Care Protection Act)
  5. Advocate for strengthening charitable giving incentives by expanding an “above-the-line”/universal deduction of 1/3 of the standard deduction
  6. Protecting our Student in Schools Act of 2020 Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2019
  7. Promote PCAK policy statement regarding tech companies “going dark” on technology relating to graphic child images

If you would like to download a document with our public policy priorities, you can do that on our digital downloads page.

AFL-CIO Leaders Selected to Present Workshop to National Audience

Posted on | by Emily Bandy

(Lexington, KY) – Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) has announced Bill Londrigan, President of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, Jeff Wiggins, Secretary-Treasurer of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, and Steve Barger, former Business Manager of the Kentucky District Council of Carpenters were selected to present a workshop detailing their partnership with PCAK to a national audience. The workshop took place virtually earlier this month and included Jill Seyfred, Executive Director of PCAK.

 

The leaders presented information on their long-standing partnership which has spanned more than three decades and has resulted in volunteers, outreach, awareness, advocacy and over $550,000 raised to promote statewide child abuse prevention efforts. The workshop was included as part of Prevent Child Abuse America’s national conference “Transforming Our Tomorrow.” President Londrigan commented “The partnership organized labor has with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is a model to be replicated throughout the nation, and we were pleased to share proof of how organized labor is committed to building strong families.”

 

The conference attracted more than 2,000 people from throughout the nation.

 

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Founded in 1987, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is the leading statewide child abuse prevention organization. They are the Kentucky chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and offer statewide programs and services. Learn more by visiting www.pcaky.org.

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky To Use Historic Grant To Further Fatherhood Initiative

Posted on | by Emily Bandy

Lexington, KY – Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) is announcing Kentucky Power recently awarded a $20,000 gift to propel its statewide fatherhood efforts. The grant from the
American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation and Kentucky Power is the largest gift received by the statewide child abuse prevention organization for its efforts in the area of positive fatherhood engagement.

The National Survey of Children’s Health shows Kentucky ranks 3rd highest in the nation (at 12%) of children experiencing parental incarceration, and according to fatherhood.gov, among the more than 800,000 parents in federal and state prisons, 92 percent are fathers.

The grant will allow Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to expand its fatherhood efforts into eastern Kentucky by providing mini grants to eight organizations, offering trainings to existing service providers, and developing materials that will be distributed within the eastern Kentucky area served by AEP. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our fatherhood programming into Eastern Kentucky with this grant from AEP” said Jill Seyfred, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky

“Investing in the work being done by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is an investment in our workforce now and for decades to come,” said. Brett Mattison, KY Power President and Chief Operating Officer. “We know how important moms are, and now research is showing us dads are critical to the overall health and well-being of children. We’re proud to support the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky.”’

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Founded in 1987, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is the leading statewide child abuse prevention organization. They are the Kentucky chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and offer statewide programs and services. Learn more by visiting www.pcaky.org.

Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to approximately 165,000 customers in 20 eastern Kentucky counties. Kentucky Power is an operating company in the AEP system, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States

 

Download the mini grant application here.Download

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE KENTUCKY JOINED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON TO LAUNCH ‘ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS?’ CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

Posted on | by Z9VTKIws0D

Frankfort, Ky. (April 5, 2021) —Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky was joined by Attorney General Daniel Cameron to announce the launch of a child sexual abuse prevention campaign entitled, “Are They Good for Your Kids?” The campaign challenges parents and caregivers to consider the adult influences in the lives of their children and equips them with tips and resources to recognize and prevent Kentucky’s youth from being groomed for abuse.

“The ‘Are They Good for Your Kids?’ campaign offers adults the tools they need to help prevent Kentucky’s kids from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Cameron. “Children are profoundly impacted by the adult influences in their life, and it’s important for parents and caregivers to consider who their child is interacting with. It takes collaboration and dedication from all of us to address child abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth, and we are proud to support Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky in their relentless efforts to keep Kentucky kids safe.”

The campaign, launched during Child Abuse Prevention Month, was developed by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and funded by a grant from the Kentucky Child Victims’ Trust Fund, administered by the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board within the Attorney General’s Office. The campaign aims to stop child abuse before it starts by arming every Kentucky adult with the information they need to prevent and identify predator grooming before it leads to child sexual abuse.

“Nearly 60 percent of child abuse victims never report exploitation, making it the most underreported form of maltreatment,” said Jill Seyfred, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Executive Director. “Thanks to the support of the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, we have developed this campaign to raise awareness about the importance of carefully choosing who you allow to influence your children. The title of the campaign, ‘Are They Good for Your Kids?’ is the first question adults should ask when allowing someone else to care for their children.”

The resources provided by the “Are They Good for Your Kids?” campaign equips adults with tips to determine who should have access to your children and how to have age-appropriate conversations with your children about the dangers of grooming.

The campaign utilizes digital and traditional platforms, including social media and Lextran bus ads, to direct adults in Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky to visit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s website where they can access tips, toolkits, and training on preventing child sexual abuse.

“Thousands of families ride or see Lextran buses every day,” said Jill Barnett, Lextran General Manager. “We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this campaign that will make our community a safer place, for our riders and their children.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit Pcaky.org/AreTheyGood4YourKids. To learn more about the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, click here.

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STATEWIDE NONPROFIT OFFERS FREE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON BABYSITTERS AND NANNIES

Posted on | by Z9VTKIws0D

(Lexington, KY) – COVID-19’s impact on children and families across Kentucky is evident. With each closure or decrease in capacity of child care centers across the state, parents and caregivers have been forced to seek alternative forms of care.  

As of July 2020, 344 child care centers and family child care facilities have closed their doors for good, and of the facilities remaining open, enrollment has plummeted with an average decrease of 64 percent. For some families, access to child care close to home was never an option with nearly half of all Kentuckians living in a “child care desert.” 

Statewide nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) aims to provide parents and caregivers with peace of mind as they seek new and alternative forms of child care. With a grant from the Berea College Appalachian Fund, PCAK will provide free background checks on babysitters and nannies for eligible families. 

“We want to empower parents and caregivers to make the right decisions for their children,” said Executive Director Jill Seyfred. “Building resilience in families begins with support systems like access to safe child care, and we hope this will allow families peace of mind in this difficult season.”

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), access to safe child care and the ability to hold employment are key factors in preventing child abuse and neglect. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents in Kentucky have experienced long periods of unemployment largely due to lack of access to child care. 

“Our mission is to improve the general education, health and physical well being of people living in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas,” said David Cooke, Appalachian Fund Director. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support families and children in a time when it is needed most.”

For more information about this initiative or to apply for a background check, please visit pcaky.org/backgroundchecks. PCAK also provides guidance for parents and caregivers seeking safe child care providers in one of their latest resources: “How to Choose a Safe Child Care Provider or Caregiver.”

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PCAK’S STATEMENT REGARDING IN-PERSON PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION EVENTS

Posted on | by Z9VTKIws0D

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky understands, respects, and reinforces the global responsibility to adapt or cancel large in-person events and gatherings to protect participants and our communities at large. Much like child abuse and neglect prevention, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 requires each of us to play a role.

Given the current increase in COVID-19 infections and related deaths in the Commonwealth, and based on the CDC’s projections for continued high rates of the same in the coming months, PCAK strongly recommends individuals and organizations do not host and/or attend large in-person Pinwheels for Prevention events leading up to and during April, Child Abuse Prevention Month.  There will be no public planting of pinwheels on the grounds of the Capitol this year, and PCAK staff will “plant” only if we can be assured of our safety and social distancing.  We encourage everyone to participate in our Home Kit Planting Day (date to be determined) and Wear Blue Day on April 1st. Additionally, we are thrilled to be able to participate in a national dynamic virtual pinwheel garden, hosted by Prevent Child Abuse America, which will be released in early March. We actively encourage our partners to participate in these smaller and/or virtual options this year.

We will continue to assess the situation and issue updated guidance if warranted.

~Your Partners at Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky

PCAK CREATES RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES TO ENSURE HOME SAFETY

Posted on | by Z9VTKIws0D

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky has recently released our newest resource: The Home Safety Check-List. This resource is available for parents, caregivers, professionals and advocates looking for more information about how to make their home safe for children of any age. From storing medications, to bath safety, the Home Safety Check-List provides guidance on a variety of common concerns for children and families. 

Download the Home Safety Check-ListDownload
Download the Home Safety Check-List in SpanishDownload

IN MIDST OF GLOBAL PANDEMIC, LOCAL GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR WORK IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION

Posted on | by Z9VTKIws0D

(Lexington, KY) – A local grassroots movement based in Union County will be recognized for their efforts in child abuse and neglect prevention by statewide nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) on October 28.

Union County We Educate to End Child Abuse and Neglect (UCWEECAN) will receive one of six 2020 Partner in Prevention awards from PCAK. The grassroots movement, comprised  of retired and professional social service providers, educators, foster care review board volunteers and others interested in child welfare has been “the hands and feet of PCAK in Union county” since its humble beginnings eight years ago, according to PCAK Director of Operations and Prevention Education, Janna Estep Jordan.

“We are truly humbled and honored to receive this award,” said UCWEECAN organizer and leader, Lark Buckman. “It is our sincere hope the work of UCWEECAN will impact future generations of Union County leaders and families.”

Penetrating the local community with child abuse prevention awareness and education campaigns, UCWEECAN has become a pillar of support for local schools, families and children throughout Union County, encouraging its residents to get involved in prevention and to protect their county’s children.

“The work of UCWEECAN is truly invaluable to our mission,” said PCAK Executive Director, Jill Seyfred. “Having a group of committed individuals in the community to spread our prevention message, educate their peers and raise widespread awareness throughout the county has revolutionized our work in Union County. We are truly grateful and deeply moved by their efforts.”

PCAK will present the award to UCWEECAN through a virtual ceremony at 9 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, October 28. To learn more about the mission of both UCWEECAN and PCAK, visit www.pcaky.org.

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Founded in 1987, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is the leading statewide child abuse prevention organization. Their mission to prevent child abuse and neglect across the Commonwealth through advocacy, awareness, education and training. They are the Kentucky chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and offer statewide programs and services. Learn more by visiting www.pcaky.org.