(WBKO) – A push is underway to bring more community members into the foster care system as April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Nearly 9,000 children are in state custody across Kentucky. As those cases move through the court system, a group works behind the scenes to make sure each child is not overlooked.
“We concentrate and review cases of children that are in the state’s custody due to abuse, dependency, and neglect,” state vice chair Mika Tyler said. “We just always feel as if this is a good month for us to send out the word on here’s a way you can get involved in order to help that prevention.”
Volunteers serve on the Citizen Foster Care Review Board, meeting regularly to review cases, hear from everyone involved and help make recommendations to the court. Their goal is to make sure children are receiving the services they need and moving toward safe, permanent homes.
“We review these cases every six months. So, it is required by statute,” Tyler said. “And then we have to have at minimal three volunteers on each call. So where we have open positions across the state, a lot of times we’re having to pull volunteers from other areas to fill those positions.”
That demand is being felt across 54 counties where the number of cases continue to grow.
Warren County has six boards that review over 300 children a month. Allen County has one board that reviews over 50 children. Edmondson County has one board that reviews around 30 children. Simpson County has one board and reviews around 30.
Officials say even a small-time commitment can make a big difference.
To start volunteering, applicants need to fill out an application, pass a background check and attend a virtual training.