Kentucky has a child abuse and neglect problem.
Worst States for Abuse and Neglect
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. West Virginia | 1. Maine | 1. Kentucky | 1. Kentucky |
| 2. Maine | 2. Alaska | 2. West Virginia | 2. West Virginia |
| 3. Massachusetts | 3. West Virginia | 3. Massachusetts | 3. Massachusetts |
| 4. Iowa | 4. Massachusetts | 4. Maine | 4. Rhode Island |
| 5. Alaska | 5. Kentucky | 5. Alaska | 5. Michigan |
| 6. Kentucky | 6. Montana | 6. New Mexico | 6. South Carolina |
| 7. Oklahoma | 7. Oklahoma | 7. South Carolina | 7. New York |
Source: 2021
Child Maltreatment Report
, released February 2023
More than 50,000 children were in foster care in Kentucky between 2020 and 2022.
Source:
Kids Count Data Center
from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Nearly 1,600 children were victims in CASA of Lexington’s service area last year.
Sources: Administrative Office of the Courts of Kentucky , U.S. Census data and the federal Child Maltreatment Report .
Ready to be part of the solution?
CASA volunteers typically spend about 5–10 hours a month volunteering, working one case at a time. They visit the child or siblings monthly, talk with adults in the child’s life, review records, and write reports. Before being matched with children in need, CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training, pass background checks, and observe family court. Take the next step by filling out a volunteer application.