Kentucky has gained national attention for having the highest rates of child abuse in the nation (Cobbin, B., 2019). There are 9777 children in foster care in Kentucky; of which 1557 reside in the Southern Bluegrass Region on the state (CHFS, 2019). Kentuckians struggling either with a substance abuse disorder, themselves or within their families, have increased tremendously over the last several years. Substance abuse accounted for over 50 % of cases related to child abuse and neglect in Kentucky (CHFS, 2019). Opioid overdose continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. It has contributed significantly to overdose deaths among those who use or misuse illicit and prescription opioids. In fact, all U.S. overdose deaths involving opioids (i.e., unintentional, intentional, homicide, and undetermined) increased to more than 42,000 deaths in 2016 (CHFS, 2019).  In response to the crisis, the Strengthening Kentucky Families Program is committed to continuing the goal of the Cooperative Extension Mission of meeting the needs to address societal issues in vulnerable populations.  SKY Families is committed to providing educational resources that would aid in the reduction of child abuse and neglect.

Strengthening KentuckY (SKY) Families Parenting program began approximately 14 years ago in response to a community need to assist with increasing parenting skills for families of color. Over the years, the program has involved to include all families. The Kentucky State University Strengthening KY Families (SKY) Parenting Education program provides instructional information on relevant issues that help divert crises when parenting infants through young adults for families in the Lexington/Fayette County region of Kentucky. SKY Families offers a six program in which participants meets twice weekly for an hour and a half. SKY Families Participants are taught skills from the Nurturing Parenting Community Based Curriculum, to increase capacity by teaching skills that aids in the reduction of abuse and neglect. By offering an evidence-based culturally competent strategy, SKY Families aides in the family reunification process and helps individuals move towards self-sufficiency. 

SKY Families is in alignment with the mission and purpose of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension System. The Cooperative Extension System is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. During this current fiscal year, SKY Families serviced 20 families with 17 completing the program. Overall, 234 hours, 133 contacts were made in with the following ethnic breakdown: 67 whites, 66 blacks, and 4 Hispanic, and 47 women, 86 males representing 66 children who attended for the program. 

Overall, the program has been effective in teaching new parenting strategies. Most participants strongly agree that the program content was useful, taught in a manner that was easily understood, allotted adequate time for questions and answers, presenters were knowledgeable and the facilitator was able to appropriately guide the discussions. Most participants also strongly agreed that they have a better understanding of how to nurture their children, how to keep children safe and healthy, of alternatives to spanking, how to handle conflict, how to solicit help from others and how to deal with stress and anger. The program was also well received as many parents noted the following:

“The instructor did a great job. The program has helped me a lot. I will make a big change.”

“Absolutely wonderful program. Carla was a great at teaching and guiding me towards being a better father. Thank you. The program has helped me to “realize better alternatives to situations. And how to act better.”

“This program was very informative and taught me a lot about being a better parent. The program, “gave me tools and guidelines to follow to help me become a better parent and teacher for my children.” I learned that “disciplining my children won’t cause for spankings to be the first option and also learning to uplift my children’s self-esteem with positive words and gestures.”

“This class was very helpful because I was able to open up and get insight on parenting. “ I love Carla Jordan and her way of teaching.” “I’ll be showing more empathy towards my kids.”

“I really enjoyed these classes and the instructor. She is really good with teaching and joking.” “The program has helped me a lot, very much so!!” “I will use the stress related content and no spanking.”

“This really helped me. The program helped me to “understand other ways of punishment besides spanking.” “I will be more understanding.”

“Our instructors were very helpful. They listened and understood everybody’s situations without judgments. I loved the approach Ms. Carla gave and how she really respected our class members. This program was amazing and very informative. Thank you!” The program helped me because, “I loved listening and understanding the material. It gave me a new outlook on my children in a better way. I really appreciate the help guys.”  “I will discipline better and understand the roles of my children and myself as a parent.”

“The program helped me learn the right and wrong way when it comes to parenting, and also better ways I can deal with my kid behavior or self.” What I would change, “First thing first, having more positive thoughts, thinking before doing. I have learned a lot and want to thank you for everything.”

“This program has helped me “better with my family, children, and wellbeing” I also learned how to put my kinds in time out and positive ways to deal with stress.”

“The SKY Program has enlightened me in effective ways to raise my children.”

“The program has helped me in my everyday life.”

“The program provided a greater understanding of my child’s physical and emotional developments. As a result, “I’ll listed more to what my child has to say, what is upsetting him and how to address it etc.”

The program has helped “by teaching me different ways to discipline whether the behavior is good or bad.” “I will sit down with the child and listen to them first before going to punishment.”

This program “helped me understand a lot better about what’s been going on with my children.” I know how better to raise my children.”

I have learned to “talk to my daughter when any problems occur, instead of taking sides and never spank her for no reason.”

The program has “given me more options to help deal with conflict and stress within my family. “I will relax myself before I speak when I feel myself get angry. Praise my children more often and help them not just expect them to do things right the 1^st time.”

“Ms. Jordan was very nice and knowledgeable and kind. I would recommend SKY Families to anyone. The program has been very informative. I would like to use more of the stress relief tactics.”

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Opioid overdose. Retrived from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html. 

Cabinet for Health and Family Services. 2019. Southern Bluegrass Child Protective Service Intake Fact  Sheet: May 1, 2018 thru April 30, 2019.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services. 2019. Southern Bluegrass Foster Care Facts.Retrieved from  https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dpp/Documents/sbsrfostercarefactssheet.pdf

Cabinet for Health and Family Services. 2019. Statewide Foster Care Facts. Retrieved from https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dpp/Documents/statewidefostercarefactssheetpdf

Kobin, B. 2019.  Kentucky and Indiana have highest child abuse rates in the US, report says.         Retrieved from https://www.courier- journal.com/story/news/2019/03/29/Kentucky-Indiana-child-abuse-rates-  highest-country-federal-data/3308373002/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2019). Opioid Addiction    Prevention    Toolkit. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/opioid-use-disorder-facts.pdf