The rate of children living outside the home in Kentucky in 2017 was 43.7. The rate of children from Boyle County living outside the home was 67.2. Children are being removed from their homes and families for a variety of reasons. Many issues could be addressed with adequate educational resources provided to parents at no cost. Parenting classes can help provide parents with the tools they need to keep a safe living environment and healthy lifestyle for themselves as well as their families. Keeping families together and strengthening them is the number one priority of not only the courts but of FCS Extension.

Nurturing Parenting is an evidence-based program that includes programming geared toward the  six protective factors in the prevention of child abuse and neglect: Nurturing  and attachment, knowledge of age appropriate development, resiliency skills,  social connections, parental support services, and children’s social and  emotional competence. 

After having been trained on this curriculum the FCS agent offered this program in her county at no cost to the participants. This program was a 12 week series which included the AAPI pre and post evaluation and 10 lessons from this evidence based curriculum. Participants had to complete 10 of the 12 classes to graduate. Although the class doesn't require the participants to be court ordered to attend, all participants were involved through the court system. The program was offered on Thursdays with a morning and an evening option to attend. At the beginning of the program there were 7 participants enrolled. At the end of the program, 6 graduated. All participants showed improvement in the 6 major areas of competency.

Working with the Boyle County family court system, the FCS agent feels confident that there will always be participation based on need. More programs are scheduled for later in 2019.