♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Renee: THE STATE SAW A DECLINE IN REPORTED CHILD ABUSE STARTING IN 2020 WITH A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN REPORTS IN 2021 ACCORDING TO RECENT REPORTS FROM THE STATE HEALTH CABINET.

BUT WHILE THAT TREND IS ENCOURAGING, THIS NEXT STATISTIC CAUSES SOME PAUSE.

CHILD ABUSE RELATED DEATHS AND NEAR DEATHS ESCALATED 22% LAST YEAR THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEW KENTUCKY LAWS TO HELP PROTECT KIDS AND WAYS WE CAN ALL HELP KEEP KIDS FROM DANGER.

THAT'S NOW ON CONNECTIONS: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTIONS TODAY.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH AND IT'S AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO PUT EVEN MORE FOCUS ON THE STAGGERING STATISTICS OF KIDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH WHO SUFFER FROM ABUSE.

AND WAYS KENTUCKY ORGANIZATIONS AND POLICY MAKERS ARE WORKING TO PROTECT SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

OUR YOUTH.

KEEPING KIDS SAFE IS A YEAR ROUND MISSION FOR THE TWO GUESTS JOINING US FROM KET'S LOUISVILLE STUDIO TODAY.

SHANNON MOODY CHIEF OFFICER OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FOR THE KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES AND SONJA GREY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXPLOITED CHILDREN'S HELP ORGANIZATION OR ECHO FOR SHORT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM OUR LOUISVILLE STUDIOS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, RENEE.

>> Renee: WELL, IT'S MY PLEASURE AND I KNOW THAT BOTH OF YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE PRODUCED SEVERAL PROGRAMS AS OF LATE ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AND THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SAW SOME VICTORIES FOR HELPING TO CURB THE VIOLENCE THAT OUR YOUTH ARE ENDURING.

AND SHANNON, I WANT TO COME TO YOU FIRST BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW LAWS THAT WILL COME INTO EFFECT.

IF YOU CAN CONTEXTUALIZE THE NUMBERS.

FOR THREE STRAIGHT YEARS WE HAD THE HIGHEST CHILD ABUSE RATES IN THE NATION FOR A WHILE AND THEN WE'VE SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT BUT WHAT DOES THAT REALLY TELL US.

>> I THINK WHAT WE KNOW OR MAYBE DON'T KNOW IS THAT IT'S A TREND.

MAKE LIKE YOU MENTIONED WE SAW THE RATES HIGH COMPARED TO OTHER STATES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WARM FRONT' DROPPED DOWN TO FIVE IN THE RANKINGS WHICH IS STILL VERY HIGH AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAS TO DO WITH A LACK OF REPORTING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IF WE, IF WE ACTUALLY DID SEE A DECREASE IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, BUT WE DID SEE MORE SEVERE CASES AND WILL YOU HEAR FROM FORENSIC PEDIATRICIANS TALK ABOUT HOW SIGNIFICANT AND CRITICAL SOME OF THOSE ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES HAVE BEEN THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THEIR DOORS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR THROUGH THE FORENSIC PEDIATRIC MEDICINE DEPARTMENTS.

>> Renee: YES, IN ACCOUNT FA, A FEW WEEKS AGO ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT ON MONDAY NIGHT, WE TALKED ABOUT WITH Dr. CURRY ABOUT THE SEVERE CASES THAT WERE COMING IN THAT THEY HADN'T EXPERIENCED BEFORE AND WE WANT TO BE SENSITIVE TO FOLKS IN A VERY SENSITIVE WAY IN DISCUSSING THIS, BUT WHEN WE SAY SEVERE, IS THERE ANYMORE THAT YOU CAN ELABORATE ON WHAT IS MEANT BY THAT?

>> YEAH, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR, WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT CASES OF PEDIATRIC ABUSE OF HEAD TRAUMA.

I KNOW THAT OUR DOCTORS HAVE ALSO SEEN CASES RELATED TO INGESTIONS SO CHILDREN GETTING ACCESS TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR ILLICIT SUBSTANCES AND INGESTING THEM AND ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A NEAR FATALITY OR EVEN FATALITY.

I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CASES RELATED TO PEDIATRIC HEAD TRAUMA WITH THE INCREASED LEVEL OF STRESS THAT PARENTS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING OR PLACING THEIR CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF AN ADULT WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN READY TO CARE FOR A CHILD THAT, YOU KNOW, A CHILD'S NEEDS AND REALLY HANDLE THAT LEVEL OF STRESS THAT THEY WOULD BE EXPERIENCING WITH THAT CHILD SO OFTEN TIME THAT RESULTS IN WHAT WE SEE AS PEDIATRIC ABUSE OF HEAD TRAUMA OR SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME.

>> Renee: I WANT TO PICK UP WHAT YOU SAID THERE, TOO, SHANNON ABOUT KIDS GETTING THEIR HANDS AND INGESTING ILLICIT DRUGS.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE NEGLECT.

AND OFTEN TIMES WE TALK ABOUT CHILD ABUSE, WE DON'T REALLY CLARIFY WHAT WE MEAN OR DEFINE WHAT ME MEAN BY NEGLECT.

WOULD THAT BE AN EXAMPLE OF NEGLECT IN YOUR EXPERT VIEW.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE.

RELATED TO NEGLECT IS JUST THAT LACK OF SUPERVISION THAT IS INTENTIONAL OR IT'S A LACK OF SUPERVISION THAT RESULTS IN YOU KNOW, PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM OF A CHILD.

WE SEE THAT HAPPEN WHERE CHILDREN ARE SOMETIMES LEFT IN THE BATH TUB WHILE A PARENT IS PLAYING VIDEO GAMES OR THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF A CHILD BEING UNSUPERVISED AND ENDING UP, YOU KNOW, RUNNING AWAY FROM THEIR HOME OR WALKING AWAY FROM THE HOME AND THEY'RE FOUND DOWN THE STREET LATER ON IN THE DAY.

SO NEGLECT IS OFTEN WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, UPWARDS OF 90% OF CASES HAVE NEGLECT AS AN INVOLVED IDENTIFIED TYPE OF MAL TREATMENT.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GO TO YOU NOW, SONJA, THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE BEEN ON AND MAYBE SHANNON.

I FEEL LIKE I'VE SPOKEN WITH SHANNON MORE FREQUENTLY BUT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON.

YOU ARE WITH THE EXPLOITED CHILDREN'S HELP ORGANIZATION OR ECHO FOR SHORT.

THIS HAS SERVED THE METRO LOUISVILLE AREA FOR 30 YEARS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORD EXPLOITATION WHICH SEEMS DIFFERENT, MAYBE TO SOME, FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT, HOW DO YOU DISTINGUISH THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, EXPLOITATION IS BASICALLY DENYING THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ANY CHILD, WHICH IS DEFINED BY THE KENTUCKY LAWS, WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS ADULTS.

WE EVOLVED AS AN ORGANIZATION, AS YOU MENTIONED OVER 30 YEARS, IN 1983 DUE TO A TRAGIC INCIDENT WITH A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL RIDING HER BIKE HERE IN LOUISVILLE AND UNFORTUNATELY SHE WENT MISSING AND THAT CASE STILL HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED AND THAT IS WHY WE AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE ARE TRUE ADVOCATES FOR KIDS BUT ALSO HELPING TO IDENTIFY ANY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION WITH SCHOOL AGED KIDS AS WELLING AS WELL.

>> Renee: AND ONE OF THE MOST HORRIFIC IS CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND IT'S JUST HARD TO IMAGINE THIS, BUT I KNOW THIS IS AN AREA THAT YOU ALL ARE VERY COMMITTED TO ERADICATING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I CAME ON BOARD WE CAN OWE-- WITH ECHO, WE WERE EDUCATING KIDS FROM FIRST TO 12th GRADE AND I REALLY FELT THERE WAS A NEED TO START ACCESSING AND GIVING MORE INFORMATION TO YOUNGER KIDS BECAUSE WE DID SEE SUCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF YOUNGER KIDS, YOU KNOW, BEING MALTREATED AND SO I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER EVEN THE LITTLE ONES SO WE OFFER OUR TRAINING FROM KINDERGARTEN TO TWELFTH GRADE.

AND THE TRAINING THAT WE USE IN THE CLASSROOM ARE BOTH EVIDENCE-BASED AND INFORM-BASED.

WE KNOW THE POWER WHAT HAVE WE DO IN THE CLASSROOM REALLY DOES WORK FOR CHILDREN.

AND THIS IS, YOU KNOW, CHILD ABUSE IS THE NUMBER ONE PUBLIC CRISIS FOR CHILDREN.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EMPOWER AND EDUCATE THEM FIRST AND THEN OUR SECOND PRIORITY IS TO EDUCATE THE ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WITHIN OUR STATE AS WELL.

>> Renee: I HAVE TO ASK YOU BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE HEARD YOU SAY KINDERGARTEN AND THEY MAY THINK THAT'S TOO TENDER OF AN AGE TO TALK ABOUT SUCH A HEAVY TOPIC.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE ARE IN THE CLASSROOM EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS AGE APPROPRIATE.

SO HOW WE SPEAK TO A MIDDLE SCHOOLER OR HIGH SCHOOLER IS DIFFERENT THAN THE YOUNGER KIDDOS.

IT'S ALL AGE APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND SOME OF THE LESSONS WE TEACH FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS IS FIRST IDENTIFYING WHAT A SAFE ADULT MEANS AND WHO THAT IS AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO SOMEONE IF THEY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED, YOU KNOW, THEIR SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISE ED IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO EMPOWER YOUR KID AND ACTUALLY WHAT I ALWAYS SAY IS YOU ARE DOING, YOU KNOW, A DISSERVICE IF WE ARE NOT TALKING TO OUR KIDS AT A YOUNGER AGE.

THE THING THAT WE HAVE SEEN, WE COVER BOTH BODY SAFETY AND INTERNET SAFETY AND IF WE ARE PUTTING DEVICES IN OUR KIDS HANDS AS YOUNG AS TWO, THEN WE HAVE TO START HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS AND COMMUNICATION WITH CHILDREN ONCE AGAIN AGE APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND.

AND IT'S AMAZING WHAT THEY RETAIN, AND YOU KNOW, HOW THEY LEARN.

WE HAVE SEEN IT WITH OUR OWN EYES.

>> Renee: AND PERHAPS EVEN AMAZING SONJA WHAT THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY JUST HAVEN'T TOLD AN ADULT YET, RIGHT?

ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHERE THIS ALL INTERSECTS WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING, RIGHT?

AND HOW ECHO PERHAPS TRIES TO BE A BRIDGE INTO THAT TERRITORY.

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY ALIGNING THOSE TOGETHER BECAUSE IT IS VERY PARALLEL.

SPECIFICALLY WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INTERNET SAFETY.

AS I MENTION, OUR KIDS GREW UP IN A DIGITAL WORLD.

THIS IS A WORLD THAT THEY LIVE IN, OPERATE IN AND BREATHE, BUT A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DANGERS AND WE KNOW THAT KIDS, YOU KNOW, THEY LIVE VICARIOUSLY AND FREE OF ANY TYPE OF FEAR AND SO WE REALLY COME IN AND NOT TRY TO SCARE THEM BUT REALLY TRY TO GIVE THEM INSIGHT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERNET, NOT ACCEPTING YOU KNOW, FRIEND REQUESTS FROM SOMEONE THAT DO YOU NOT KNOW.

DEFINITELY NOT MEETING SOMEONE THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE DO HAVE SEVERAL TEENAGERS AND YOUNG KIDS THAT ARE VERY VULNERABLE AND THEY WILL GO OUT AND TRY TO MEET SOMEONE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT CAN BECOME A TRAFFICKING SITUATION.

HERE IN LOUISVILLE, I THINK THE THINGS WE REALLY WANT TO BRING TO THE TABLE IS THAT THIS IS VERY REAL.

TRAFFICKING IS VERY REAL.

IT'S HAPPENING HERE IN OUR CITY AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO STRONG ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN.

AND ONCE AGAIN, EDUCATING ADULTS ABOUT THE SIGH SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR, WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD DISCLOSES INFORMATION AND THEN ALSO HOW TO REPORT THAT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

SO I WANTED YOU TO FOLLOW UP RIGHT THERE, SONJA BEFORE I GO BACK TO SHANNON ON ALL THE THINGS YOU JUST MENTIONED.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS, WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS SUBJECTED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT?

WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET THAT CHILD HELP?

>> SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT YOU CAN LOOK OUT FOR IS, YOU KNOW, UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR, PARENTS KNOW THEIR KIDS CHARACTERISTIC IS AND IF SOMETHING IS UNUSUAL AS WITHDRAWING FROM FRIENDS, HIGH ANXIETY, SECRECY, OVER ACHIEVING IS ONE THAT WE OFTEN MISS BUT EVEN CHILDREN THAT ARE TRYING TO BE OVERACHIEVERS, YOU MAY HEAR KIDS TALK ABOUT STOMACH ACHES.

WETTING THE BED, YOU KNOW, IF THEY HAVE NOT WET THE BED FOR A VERY LONG TIME, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT YOU CAN LOOK OUT FOR.

AND THEN THE WAY THAT YOU REPORT THAT IS THAT, AND I WANT TO MENTION THAT KENTUCKY IS A MANDATORY REPORTING STATE SO IT IS NOT LEFT JUST TO THE DOCTORS OR THE TEACHERS.

IT IS EVERY KENTUCKY CITIZEN.

THAT WHAT IS WE ARE TO DO IF WE SEE SOMETHING WE ARE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND THAT NUMBER IS 1877-KY-SAFE-1.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TRAININGS, REACH OUT TO ECHO.

WE HAVE A WEBSITE.

WE TRY TO FULFILL EVERY REQUEST THAT COMES THROUGH OUR DOOR.

ANYONE THAT WILL OPEN THE DOORS TO ALLOW US TO COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THIS SENSITIVE SUBJECT BUT A VERY NECESSARY CONVERSATION THAT HAS TO BE HAD, THEN WE ARE ALL IN AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THOSE AROUND US.

>> SHANNON, THE POINT THAT SONJA JUST MADE IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION AND DUTY TO REPORT.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUBSTANTIATE IT, RIGHT?

YOU ARE JUST SUSPICIOUS OF THE BEHAVIOR, CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD BEING IN DANGER AND YOU REPORT THAT, THAT'S NOT SAYING THAT YOU ARE HANDING DOWN A VERDICT OF GUILT OR ANYTHING.

YOU ARE JUST SAYING I'M CONCERNED, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

LEAVE THE INVESTIGATION TO THE PROFESSIONALS, THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES OR THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE OR LOCAL POLICE JURISDICTION.

I DO WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT IN RELATION TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING THAT I THINK IS NOT AS WELL UNDERSTOOD AS THE REALITY IS A LOT OF OUR HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN KENTUCKY AND REALLY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, A LOT OF THAT IS BEING PERPETRATED BY THE CHILD'S CAREGIVERS OR PARENTS.

FAMILIAL TRAFFICKING IS A REAL PROBLEM IN OUR STATE AND I THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO AND ATTEMPTING TO COMBAT.

I MEAN IT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT OUR DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND OUR COURTS ARE SEEING AS WELL.

>> Renee: THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE I'M GLAD YOU CLARIFIED THAT, SHANNON BECAUSE WE OFTEN THINK OF INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKING, THAT WE DON'T THINK OF IT HAPPENING IN KENTUCKY OR IN LOUISVILLE OR LEXINGTON.

WE THINK IT HAPPENS IN EAST COAST WEST COAST MUCH MORE MAJOR METROPOLITAN CITIES BUT THEY HAPPEN IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF DRUG USE INVOLVED.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE WINS AND I HESITATE TO USE THAT WORD WINS BUT THEY ARE, I THINK, SHANNON, SOME VICTORIES FOR HELPING ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE AND FATALITIES AND NEAR FATALITIES.

I WANT TO START BY THIS VERY SWEEPING AND WE ANTICIPATE BEING A HIGHLY CONSEQUENTIAL BILL BY THE SENATOR WHO RESIDES IN LOUISVILLE AND CAUCUS CHAIR FOR THE MAJORITY PARTY IN THE CITY, ROCKY ADAMS, SENATE BILL 8 THAT STRENGTHENS THE STRENGTH OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE ESSENTIALLY.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF IT IS BASED ON IMPLEMENTATION.

BUT IF IT IS IMPLEMENTED WELL, WE'LL SEE A LOT OF BENEFITS TO THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WITH JULIE ROCKY ADAMS BILL.

SENATOR ROCKY ADAMS AND HER STAFF WERE REALLY THOUGHTFUL IN THE WAY THE BILL WAS DEVISED AND PUT TOGETHER.

THERE ARE COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE PREVENTION END OF THINGS THAT DEVELOPS A COUNCIL RELATED TO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AN ADVISORY COUNCIL MADE UP OF PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE STATE TO REVIEW AND LOOK AT CASES.

AND IT ALSO INCLUDES AND MODIFIES THE DEFINITION OF NEGLECT.

SO RENEE, YOU TALKED ABOUT NEGLECT EARLIER, AND WE REALLY NEED AS A STATE, AND AS INDIVIDUALS, TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEGLECT AND POVERTY.

AND WITHIN SENATE BILL 8, THEY FURTHER DIFFERENTIATE WHAT THAT MEANS.

SO THAT WE ARE NOT BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM THAT DON'T NEED TO BE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IF IT'S REALLY A MATTER OF FINANCIAL OR ECONOMIC INSECURITY.

SO I THINK FURTHER DIFFERENTIATING THAT IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO REALLY ADDRESS THESE SEVERE AND SUBSTANTIAL CASES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

WITHIN THAT, ALSO, I REALLY APPRECIATE SENATOR ROCKY ADAMS TAKE ON IT BECAUSE SHE INVOLVED FOSTER CARE ALUMNI WITH THE VOICES OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND HAD THEM WEIGH IN ON SOME PIECES RELATED TO ACCESS TO SUPPORTS WHEN YOU ARE AGING OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM SO RIGHT NOW IN KENTUCKY, YOU CAN REENGAGE WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES UNTIL THE AGE OF 19 AND THEN AFTER THAT, YOU ARE KIND OF OUT OF LUCK.

WELL, THE WISDOM OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS WAS THAT THEY WANTED TO EXPAND THAT TO AT LEAST THE AGE OF 20 AND ALLOW FOR A COUPLE OF REENGAGEMENTS BECAUSE AS AN 18-YEAR-OLD YOU ARE READY TO GET OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND NOT DEAL WITH THE SYSTEM ANYMORE OR SOCIAL WORKERS OR ADULTS THAT YOU FEEL DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.

BUT YOU KNOW, AS YOU GET OUT ON YOUR OWN, I THINK SOMETIMES YOU START TO REALIZE YOU DO STILL NEED THAT SUPPORT.

SO THE BILL ALSO EXPANDS AND ALLOWS FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY THERE, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE HAPPEN.

>> DO.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK IT WILL MAKE A DEBIT IN THE NUMBER OF OUT OF HOME CARE THAT'S BEEN THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND DEALT WITH FOR YEARS.

I DO AND WOULD HOPE TO SEE SOME DECREASE IN THAT.

NOT ONLY IN RELATION TO THE DEFINITION OF NEGLECT AND REALLY CLARIFYING WHAT THAT MEANS AND NOT BRINGING IN KIDS UNNECESSARILY AND MAKING SURE WE ARE PROVIDING SUPPORTS THERE.

BUT THEN AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE FAMILY FIRST ACT WHICH ACTUALLY STARTED IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS THAT ARE CONNECTING FAMILIES AND PRESERVING FAMILIES IN THE HOME BEFORE A CHILD EVER HAS TO BE REMOVED OR CREATING A REALLY CLEAR PATH TO REUNIFICATION.

>> Renee: WHEN SOME PEOPLE HEAR THAT, THEY'RE CONCERNED DOES THAT MEAN THAT EVERY CASE WILL BE TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER THAT MAYBE PERHAPS KEEPING THE FAMILY TOGETHER IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD IN THOSE CASES THERE STILL WOULD BE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILD'S SAFETY IS PRIORITY NUMBER ONE.

>> AND WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW THAT SOMETIMES DOESN'T HAPPEN PERFECTLY IS IF A WORKER GOES INTO A HOME TO INVESTIGATE OR ASSESS THE SITUATION AND THERE ARE REALLY CLEAR SIGNS OF UNSAFE SITUATIONS, THEY STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF TALKING TO A SUPERVISOR AND THEN GETTING THE COURTS INVOLVED IF A REMOVAL IS TO HAPPEN.

AND OFTEN WHAT THOSE WORKERS ARE LOOKING AT IS ARE THERE ANY RELATIVES OR CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS LIKE KIN THAT CAN BE THAT SUPPORT AND HOPEFULLY REDUCE THE TRAUMA OF THAT REMOVAL.

I WOULD ANTICIPATE WORKERS CONTINUING TO GET BETTER AND HAVE MORE CLEAR PARAMETERS AROUND WHEN A CHILD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND WHEN THEY DON'T.

THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY OCCASIONS WHEN A CHILD SHOULD NOT REMAIN IN THE HOME AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT NEED TO BE CLEAR AND IT'S CLEARLY DEFINED IN THE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE WE WON'T SEE THAT HAPPEN.

I HOPE TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THE WRONG KIDS BEING REMOVED FOR THE WRONG REASONS.

>> Renee: ABSOLUTELY.

AND FOR THOSE RELATIVES OR NEIGHBORS OR A TRUSTED EDUCATOR, A TEACHER OR A COACH, WOULD THERE BE FINANCIAL SUBSIDY AVAILABLE TO THEM IF THEY DO TAKE IN A CHILD THAT THEY KNOW IS IN DANGER?

>> IT DEPENDS ON HOW THE POANL POTENTIAL CUSTODIAN INTERACTS WITH THE SYSTEM.

WHEN A WORKER COMES TO THE HOME OF A RELATIVE OR CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDED A MENU OF OPTIONS.

DO THEY WANT TO TAKE CUSTODY OF THE CHILD.

TYPICALLY THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF TEMPORARY CUSTODY AND THEY WOULD GO THROUGH THE COURTS PROCESS SO THAT THE CHILD REMAINS.

SO THAT'S ONE OPTION.

THERE ARE LESS FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORTS THERE , BUT THEY DO EXIST.

OFTEN TIMES THE KENTUCKY TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE RELATIVES OR THEY CAN ELECT TO BECOME A CHILD SPECIFIC FOSTER HOME WHERE THEY OPEN THE HOME AND THEY GO THROUGH SOME MODIFIED FOSTER CARE CLASSES AND THE CUSTODY OF THE CHILD REMAINS WITH THE STATE.

SO IT REALLY JUST DEPENDS THAT SYSTEM IS, UNFORTUNATELY, AND UNNECESSARILY COMPLICATED.

I THINK IT'S GETTING EASIER AND BETTER TO UNDERSTAND BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THAT SPACE.

>> Renee: THE STATE HEALTH CABINET OR THE KENTUCKY FOR HEALTH AND FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ISN'T THE LARGEST CABINET FOR NO REASON, RIGHT, OF ALL THE CABINETS, THIS IS THE LARGEST CABINET IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND I THINK SOME OF THIS CONVERSATION POINTS TO WHY AND WHAT IS REALLY AT STAKE.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO SONJA AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER LAWS THAT ARE TO BE, BUT ERIN'S LAW, HOUSE BILL 270, AT THE TIME WE HAD OUR DISCUSSION, IT HASN'T MADE IT ACROSS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

TELL US ABOUT WHY THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, SONJA?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, ERIN'S LAW IS ALL ABOUT PREVENTION EDUCATION AND YOU KNOW, SHANNON WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL WHEN I CAME INTO THIS SPACE AND REALLY HAS HELPED ME REALLY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS IN FRANKFORT.

AND WHEN I BECAME AWARE ABOUT ERIN'S LAW, MY VERY FIRST QUESTION WAS WHY DO WE NOT HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND SPECIFICALLY DUE TO THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

AND FOR KENTUCKY, THIS WILL BE HUGE FOR US.

AND WHAT ERIN'S LAW STATES IS THAT WE MUST PROVIDE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION TO CHILDREN K-12.

NOW, YOU KNOW, FOR SOME, YOU KNOW, IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG WIN.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM ANY LEVEL OF ABUSE, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, YOU KNOW, NOT KNOWING THAT IT'S NOT NORMAL TO BE IN THAT TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD, THIS COULD BE HUGE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

AND WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOU KNOW, ABUSED CHILDREN DO GROW UP TO BE ADULTS AND SO HOW DID US THAT IMPACT, YOU KNOW, SOCIETY ECONOMICALLY?

SO THE MORE THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON PREVENTATIVE EFFORTS, THEN THE LONG RUN IS THAT FIRST OFF WE ARE GOING TO BE SAFING, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MONEY THROUGH THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, THROUGH ANY TYPE OF POLICING, EMPLOYERS, YOU KNOW, TAKING OFF FROM WORK.

MANY TIMES WE DON'T KNOW WHY OR WHOM HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY CHILD ABUSE.

AND SO REALLY TRYING TO GET A JUMP START OF A PREVENTING AND PROVIDING THAT EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IS NOT GOING TO BE AN IMMEDIATE THING THAT WE SEE, BUT OVER TIME, IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER FOR OUR CHILDREN.

IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER FOR OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE BACK TO THE POINT OF WHAT SHANNON WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FAMILIAR TRAFFICKING.

WE MOST OF US GREW UP WITH STRANGER DANGER.

EVEN KIDS STILL TODAY KNOW STRANGER DANGER.

BUT WE HAVE LEARNED THAT, YOU KNOW, 90% OF CHILDREN THAT ARE ABUSED ARE ABUSED BY SOMEONE THEY KNOW AND TRUST.

WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN THE NEWS.

OF THAT, 30% IS TYPICALLY FAMILY MEMBERS.

SO WE KNOW LONGER-- WE NO LONGER USE SAY FIND A TRUSTED ADULT.

WE TALK ABOUT FINDING A SAFE ADULT.

KIDS CAN DEFINITELY IDENTIFY WHEN THEY FEEL SAFE OR UNSAFE.

SO ERIN'S LAW IS REALLY JUST GOING TO EQUIP OUR CHILDREN WITH THE INFORMATION AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY NEED TO REALLY HAVE WHAT I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, A MORE HAPPIER TYPE OF CHILDHOOD.

AND IF THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED THEY THOUGH EXACTLY YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE TOOLS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO OR, YOU KNOW, HOW TO IDENTIFY THAT SAFE ADULT AND KNOWING THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO BLAME AND THERE IS NO SHAME FOR SPEAKING UP AND TALKING OUT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

AND YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE HAVE BEEN THE PAST TWO YEARS, COVID, OUR KIDS WERE ISOLATED ON THE SAFE SPACES AND JUST IN THE CLASSROOM IN A MONTH ALONE, WE HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY DISCLOSURES AND CHILDREN, ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN ABUSED, IT CAN TAKE ONE TO THREE YEARS FOR THEM TO DISCLOSE THAT INFORMATION: WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO WE CAN PROVIDE IMMEDIATELY THOSE SOCIAL SERVICES, THERAPEUTIC SERVICES SO WE CAN BEGIN THAT HEALING PROCESS.

SO ALTHOUGH WE ARE ONE FULL YEAR IN WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE KNOW, AS ECHO THAT THESE NEXT TWO YEARS ARE GOING TO BE CRUCIAL AND CRITICAL FOR US TO BE PRESENT THIS THAT SCHOOL SO THAT THOSE KIDS WILL FIRST OFF HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK UP ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO THAT WE, AS ADULTS CAN COME IN AND PROVIDE AT THAT TIME SAFETY PLAN FOR THEM FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Renee: AND WITH JUST ABOUT A MINUTE AND SOME CHANGE REMAINING, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU SHANNON REAL QUICKLY TO TALK TO US IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS ABOUT CAMMIE'S LAW THAT WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO ABUSE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

>> YEAH, SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS CAME ABOUT WITH SPEAKER OSBOURNE AND A CONSTITUENT OF HIS, A 12-YEAR-OLD NAMED KIERA WHO HAS A FRIEND CAMMIE WHO EXPERIENCED HEAD TRAUMA AS A NINE-MONTH-OLD.

AND THIS YOUNG WOMAN WAS ADVOCATING FOR HER FRIEND SO THAT THERE COULD BE HIGHER PENALTIES AND MORE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HARM, IF IZALLY HARM OR ABUSE-- PHYSICALLY HARM OR ABUSE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 SO IT ALLOWS FOR, I THINK SOME FLEXIBILITY FROM JUDGES TO HOLD THEM TO HIGHER ACCOUNTABILITY AND HIGHER PENALTY.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

I DO WANT TO GIVE YOU REALLY QUICKLY, SONJA FIVE SECONDS TO TALK ABOUT AN EVENT COMING UP.

>> YES, THIS IS OUR FIFTH YEAR.

WE ARE HOSTING WAS WE CALL PANCAKES AND PIN WHEEL AS WARDS BREAKFAST HELD ON FRIDAY APRIL 29.

YOU CAN GO ON TO OUR WEBSITE AND FIND OUT ALL THE INFORMATION.

IT WILL BE A HYBRID EVENT SO IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO JOIN US HERE IN LOUISVILLE, YOU KNOW, PLEASE TUNE IN VIRTUALLY AND OUR WEBSITE IS ECHO-KY.ORG.

PLEASE JOIN US VIRTUALLY.

>> Renee: THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU SONJA GREY, THANK YOU SHANNON MOODY.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO HELP KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SO VERY MUCH.

AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EDITION OF CONNECTIONS.

HOPE IT WAS VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

YOU CAN LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE ket.org/CONNECTIONS.

WE HAVE LOTS OF RESOURCES ON OUR ket.org WEBSITE ABOUT THIS VERY TOPIC.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ME ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, LISTEN TO PODCASTS OF PREVIOUS PROGRAMS.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.