April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the critical role communities play in protecting children and supporting families. In Kentucky, that mission takes on urgency as the Citizen Foster Care Review Board seeks volunteers in 54 counties to review foster care cases and advocate for vulnerable children.
The counties in need are Allen, Bell, Bourbon, Boyd, Breathitt, Bullitt, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carroll, Clark, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Fulton, Greenup, Hancock, Henry, Hickman, Jefferson, Johnson, Kenton, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Livingston, Magoffin, Marshall, Martin, McCracken, McLean, Meade, Mercer, Morgan, Oldham, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Russell, Shelby, Simpson, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Warren, Whitley, Wolfe and Woodford.
Each year, thousands of children in the commonwealth are removed from their homes due to dependency, neglect and abuse and enter foster and other out-of-home care. Citizen Foster Care Review Board volunteers play a vital role in these children’s lives by reviewing their cases and making recommendations to the courts and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on each child’s behalf. CFCRBs help ensure children receive necessary services while in care and are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
“By volunteering with a CFCRB board, community members can play a direct role in improving outcomes for children in foster care,” CFCRB State Vice Chair Mika Tyler said. “National Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that protecting children is a shared responsibility.”
To learn more about National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Kentucky, visit https://preventchildabuse.org/capmonth2025/.
CFCRB volunteers generally review cases virtually one day a month, with time of day varying by board.
Potential volunteers are required to apply, consent to criminal record and Central Registry checks and complete six hours of initial training. Training takes place via two Zoom meetings and two self-paced programs. Those interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so they can be screened and, if approved, scheduled for training.
Once a potential volunteer completes training, the CFCRB recommends the person to the chief judge of the local Family Court or District Court for appointment to the CFCRB.
To apply and get more information, visit kcoj.info/CFCRB. Learn more about volunteering in a brief video at https://kcoj.info/CFCRBVideo. A CFCRB recruitment flyer is available at https://kcoj.info/CFCRBrecruitflyer to be shared in communities.