Child Abuse and Neglect in Kentucky

>> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THIS EVENING WE'RE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN KENT RECENTLY DATA SHOWED KENTUCKY RANKED FIFTH 349 NATION WHEN IT COME TO REPORTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES.

6 AT ONE TIME THE COMMONWEALTH THE TOP-RANKED STATE FOR CHILD MALTREATMENT.

THERE ARE NEW LAWS FOCUSED ON HELPING FAMILIES IN CRISIS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, ALLOWING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO GET INVOLVED SOONER AND PROVIDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE or WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO FAMILIES BEFORE THEY LOSE CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILD OR children.

OTHER CHANGES WERE MADE LAST YEAR TO HELP PROTECT KIDS AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO ABUSE A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

ARE THOSE CHANGES MAKING A DIFFEREN AND ARE THERE OTHER TROUBLING TRENDS OF ABUSE KENTUCKY IS SEEING MORE AND MORE OF?

TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THESE VERY COMPLEX ISSUES, WE'RE JOINED?

OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY: HEATHER WAGERS FROM the OFFICE OF TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION AND THE KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

AND SHANNON MOODY, CHIEF OFFICER OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES for KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES.

AND IN OUR LOUISVILLE STUDIO WE HAVE STATE SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS, A REPUBLICAN FROM LOUISVILLE AND SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR.

AND DR. MELISSA CURRIE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OF NORTON PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST AND PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

WE DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU TONIGHT so SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS BY TWITTER @KYTONIGHT SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/ OR YOU CAN JUST GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-494-7605.

THANK YOU, ALL OF OUR GUESTS NEAR AND FAR, FARTHER OUT THERE IN LOUISVILLE.

WE THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAD THE MOST RECENTLY CHILD FATALITY AND NEAR FATALITY REVIEW THAT CAME OUT JUST LAST WEEK, AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT TONIGHT IN DETAIL, BUT, DR. MOODY, I DO WANT TO FIRST GO TO YOU TO TALK TO US ABOUT OUR CURRENT STANDING.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT NUMBER ONE, BUT WE'RE STILL IN THE TOP FIVE, AND SO WE'RE STILL OUTPERFORMING STATES WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD MAL FREMONT.

HOW DO YOU PUT IN CONTEXT WHERE WE RANK AND WHAT IT MEANS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, RENEE.

AGAIN, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COVERING THIS TOPIC TONIGHT.

WHAT I THINK WE DON'T KNOW IS DOES THE DECREASE IN RANK OVER ALL, IS THAT A TREND.

WE'VE SEEN IT FOR ONE YEAR.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THAT DATA CAME DURING A TIME WHEN THE PANDEMIC HAD HIT AND WE WERE SEEING A LOT OF FOLKS STAYING AT HOME, NOT -- CHILDREN NOT IN SCHOOL.

WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE HIGHEST REPORTING SOURCES IN KENTUCKY, REALLY NATIONALLY, IS TEACHERS.

SO I THINK THAT A LOT OF ADVOCATES IN THIS SPACE, AND A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WORK WITH KIDS AND FAMILIES ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BASED ON SOME CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, BASED ON A A LARGER EMPHASIS OF PREVENTION EFFORTS AND REALLY WRAPPING AROUND SUPPORTS AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO GET ACCESS TO THOSE THINGS, BUT WE REALLY JUST DON'T KNOW.

AND FOR US BEING RANK THREE YEARS IN AY RO NUMBER ONE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I THINK TIME WILL TELL.

WE SHOULD KNOW VERY SOON, BASED ON THOSE RANKING -- USUALLY THEY COME OUT THE END OF JANUARY, SO WE'RE HOPING TO SEE THOSE TO SEE WHAT THIS YEAR HAS BROUGHT.

>> DR. CURRY WEB I THINK ONE OF THE LAST TIMES YOU WERE ON THIS PROGRAM WE TALKED ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING, AND YOU BROUGHT UP A VERY GOOD POINT ABOUT UNDER-REPORTING, AND YOU JUST HEARD MS. MOODY SAY THAT, THAT THIS COULD BE A SNAPSHOT IN TIME WHEN EDUCATORS SOME OF THE MAIN REPORTERS AND DURING COVID WE KNOW THAT IN-PERSON LEARNING WAS INTERRUPTED.

SO HOW DO YOU CONTEXTUALIZE OUR CURRENT RANKING?

WHAT WOULD WOULD YOU ADD TO WHERE WE STAND NOW?

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT DR. MOODY SAID ALREADY.

I THINK IT'S HOPEFUL.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT INTERPRETING A SINGLE YEAR'S DATA AND WATCH AND SEE WHAT THE TREND LOOKS LIKE OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO GOING FORWARD.

WE DO HAVE THE NATIONAL CHILD MALTREATMENT REPORT THAT'S DUE TO COME OUT ANY DAY NOW.

I THINK FROM A COVID PERSPECTIVE, DR. MOODY IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WITHOUT OUR TEACHERS LAYING EYES ON OUR KIDS, I THINK THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT UNDER-REPORTING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE WAS SOME PROTECTIVE FACTOR TO COVID AS WELL IN THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE -- THAT THERE MORE ADULTS IN THE HOME WITH KIDS, YOU KNOW, TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THEM AND POTENTIALLY TO PROVIDE A BUFFER FOR ONE ANOTHER.

I THINK IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW TO TEASE OUT THE DATA AROUND WHAT COVID REALLY MEANT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

>> AND, DR. CURRIE 1 I WANT TO PICK UP ON THAT POINT BECAUSE I THINK, AND WHEN YOU HAD JOINED US BEFORE, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE CHILD ABUSE CASES HAD JUST REALLY DEEPENED, THAT THE CASES YOU WERE SEEING WERE REALLY SEVERE.

CAN YOU DEFINE WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS.

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, RENEE, WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE'RE SEEING MORE CASES OF TORTURE, SO WE'RE TEEING CHILDREN WITH MORE -- SEEING CHILDREN WITH MORE SEVERE INJURIES, YOUNGER CHILDREN WITH MORE SEVERE INJURIES, CHILDREN WHO HAVE MULTIPLE ADULTS IN THEIR LIFE WHO ARE INJURING THEM RATHER THAN JUST ONE.

AND I'M SORRY TO SAY THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT TREND CONTINUE.

>> I WANT TO GO TO YOUR SEATMATE THERE IN THE LOUISVILLE STUDIO FOR KET, SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE REALLY TAKEN ON IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND YOU WERE THE ONE TO GET ACROSS SENATE BILL 8 TO THE FINISH LINE, FOR IT TO BECOME LAW.

TELL US WHAT THE RANKINGS MEAN TO YOU.

AND THEN ALSO TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR LEGISLATION THAT YOU HOPE WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> YES.

THANK YOU, RENEE.

YOU KNOW, JUST IN THE TWO OPENING ANSWERS ABOUT WHERE WE STAND AS FAR AS RANKING GOES IN CHILD ABUSE, YOU HEARD MENTION SO MANY DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS.

THAT'S REALLY ONE OF THE, I THINK THE SECRET SAUCE TO US PASSING SENATE BILL 8 LAST YEAR, IS IT WAS HOLISTIC NATURE.

I MEAN, WE TRIED TO INCLUDE EVERY SINGLE STAKEHOLDER POSSIBLE BECAUSE EACH OF THOSE DYNAMICS ARE VERY DIFFERENT AND THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT.

AND YOU CAN'T LEAVE ONE OUT.

AND SO I THINK THE HOLISTIC NATURE OF THE BILL, AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF -- SOME OF THE DEFINITIONAL CHANGES I THINK ARE GOING TO SHOW -- ARE GOING TO HELP AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS.

FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A NEW DEFINITION FOR FICTIVE KIN, SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET KIDS WHO ARE IN CRISIS IN WITH CARETAKERS WHO KNOW THEM AND LOVE THEM EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT -- EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT RELATED.

WE DEFINED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POVERTY AND NEGLECT, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND THEN ANOTHER THING THAT WE DID IS WE INCREASED THE MEDICAID SERVICES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION.

AND THEN LASTLY, I THINK WHAT WILL HOPEFULLY MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN MOVING KENTUCKY'S NUMBERS IS THE FACT THAT WE DO INTERJECT INTO THESE FAMILIES WHEN THEY'RE NOT AT CRITICAL OR CRISIS LEVELS, THAT WE KIND OF INTERJECT THESE WRAPAROUND SERVICES WHEN THEY'RE JUST AT A MODERATE RISK TO HELP THAT FAMILY KIND OF COPE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHICH MIGHT BE LEADING TO THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

AND SO HOPEFULLY THOSE ARE SOME REAL JUST BASIC CHANGES THAT WE CAN ALLAL LATCH ONTO AND HELP PROTECT THESE FAMILIES AND THESE VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>> SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, WE'LL DRILL DOWN ON THOSE POINTS THAT YOU JUST MADE IN DEFINING WHAT SENATE BILL 8 DOES IN A LITTLE BIT.

I WANT TO BRING IN THE CONVERSATION MS. HEATHER WAGERS.

I ALREADY MENTIONED YOUR LONG TITLE BUT WE'LL JUST SAY YOUR AT THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND TO GIVE US SOME CONTEXT ABOUT WHAT YOUR OFFICE DOES, BECAUSE OFTEN THIS CONVERSATION CONCERNS THE CABINET OR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES AND STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE HERE, BUT TELL US ABOUT HOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS GETTING INVOLVED IN YOUR WORK.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

SO OUR OFFICE IS COMMITTED ON TRYING TO DO -- COMBAT CHILD ABUSE FROM ALL FRONTS.

SO WITH THE PROSECUTION, SO WE'RE TRAINING PROSECUTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE'VE CREATED A TOOL KIT ON CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON HAS BEEN VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING THIS A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY, MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO THIS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT TAKES STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, SO BEYOND TRAINING, POLICY CHANGES, WORKING WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON WAYS TO IMPROVE LAWS.

WE WORKED WITH REPRESENTATIVE LEWIS ON RAISING SOME OF THE PENALTIES ON THOSE THAT SHARE AND POSSESS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL.

SO KIND OF I.

ACROSS THE GAMUT, AS WELL AS INVESTIGATIONS, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IN KENTUCKY, THAT WE'RE SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE THAT THIS WON'T BE TOLERATED HERE.

>> THE ONE MEASURE THAT IS NOW LAW THAT WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR HARMING A CHILD UNDER 12, WAS THAT SOME OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS INVOLVED IN?

>> YOU KNOW, WE GET A LOT OF INPUT OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THE ABILITY TO BRING SO MANY PEOPLE TO THE TABLE, AND SO I BELIEVE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CAMMY'S LAW.

>> YES, THIS IS CAMMY'S LAW.

>> SO WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND PARTICIPANTS ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THAT, AND SO ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA IS -- WAS THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION WHERE THE CHILD WAS NINE MONTHS OLD WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT SHE SUFFERED SEVERE LONG-TERM EFFECTS FROM THAT.

>> YES.

AND JUST TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, IT WAS A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL, A SEVENTH GRADER WHO WORKED WOULD THE HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE TO GETTING THAT BILL INTRODUCED AND THROUGH THE FINISH LINE, AND THE MOTHER, I THINK, HAD BEEN REPORTED AS SAYING THAT THE BOYFRIEND, WHO HAD COMMITTED THIS CRIME AGAINST THE DAUGHTER, SHOOK HER AND THREW HER SO HARD THAT IT TORE HER LIGAMENTS THAT DELIVERED THE BLOOD SLIGHT LEFT HALF OF HER BRAIN, SO SHE DID SURVIVE, BUT IS IN A VERY DIFFERENT STATE OF ACTIVITY THAN BEFORE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT TYPE OF LAW, CAMMY'S LAW, I KNOW KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATE WAS A BIG PROPONENT OF THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT EVEN GETTING TO THIS POINT, I MEAN, YOU DON'T EVEN WANT THIS TO HAPPEN, BUT THEN STEVNING THE PENTS, DO YOU THINK THAT THOSE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE STEEP ENOUGH TO DETER THAT TYPE OF ACTION?

>> YOU KNOW, RENEE, I THINK ESPECIALLY FOR CAMMY'S LAW IN PARTICULARLY IT'S PRETTY EARLY TO TELL.

WHAT I THINK WE OFTEN TRY TO FOCUS ON, AND I THINK DR. CURRIE CAN SPEAK TO THIS REALLY WELL, IS RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS EARLY.

TYPICALLY WHEN PEDIATRIC HEAD TRAUMA HAPPENS, IT'S MULTIPLE TIMES.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME.

SO I THINK THE MORE THAT WE CAN SHAPE THE CONVERSATION AROUND RECOGNITION AND PREVENTION, MAKING SURE CAREGIVERS AND OUR PARENTS, THAT OUR PARENTS ARE LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN WITH TRUSTED CAREGIVERS WHO CAN COPE WITH THE STRESS OF PARENTING AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY SOON TO TELL WITH CAMMY'S LAW.

I'M NOT SURE.

>> YEAH, DR. CURRIE, I WANT TO GO TO YOU FIRST.

CAN YOU GIVE US A DEFINITION IN LAYMAN'S TERMS OF PEDIATRIC ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA SO THAT WE UNDER WHAT THAT MEANS.

AND WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF THAT?

BECAUSE KENTUCKY IS A MANDATORY REPORTING STATE.

PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT AT THE BEGINNING, THAT WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IF WE SEE SOMETHING, TO SAY SOMETHING, SO TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS AND CAN LOOK LIKE FOR THOSE OF US WHO MIGHT NEED TO TRY TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO PEDIATRIC ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA IS WHAT USED TO BE MOAN AS SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME, BUT IT ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN JUST SHAKING.

IT IS BASICALLY ANY INJURY TO THE BRAIN OR THE CONTENTS OF THE SKULL OR THE HEAD IN GENERAL THAT'S FROMY OTHER THAN AN ACCIDENTAL MEANS.

SO IT CAN INCLUDE THINGS LIKE SKULL FRACTURES AND BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD IN ADDITION TO SHAKING OR CRUSH MECHANISMS.

AND IT CONTINUES TO BE THE SINGLE-MOST DEADLY FORM OF CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THOSE EARLY WARNING SIGNS.

AND WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RECOGNITION, BRUISING REALLY RISES TO THE TOP, AND, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT THE VIEWERS REMEMBER FROM MY COMMENTS TONIGHT, I HOPE IT'S THAT BRUISING IN BABIES IS NOT NORMAL.

SO UNTIL BABIES ARE PULLING UP AND TAKING STEPS, WE CALL THAT CRUISING IN PEDIATRICS, THEY REALLY ARE NOT EARNING THEIR ACCIDENTAL BRUISES, SO BABIES WHO ARE NOT YET CRUISING SHOULDN'T BE BRUISING.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD WAY TO PUT THAT.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CASES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO EVOKE GRUESOME MEMORIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR OUR VIEWERS, BUT, YOU KNOW, HOW DOES THAT MATERIALIZE IF THERE'S NOT BRUISING?

CAN THERE BE PEDIATRIC ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA WITHOUT THE U.S. BRUISING?

>> OH, YES, THERE ABSOLUTELY CAN BE.

MANY TIMES OUR YOUNGEST VICTIMS OF A PEDIATRIC ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA LOOK ABSOLUTELY PERFECT ON THE OUTSIDE WHEN THEY COME IN THROUGH THE HOSPITAL WHICH IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE CHALLENGES FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS, BECAUSE THEY DON'T COME IN WITH A LABEL THAT SAYS, SOMEONE JUST ABUSED ME.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A VERY LOW THRESHOLD FOR CONSIDERING THAT DIAGNOSIS TO MAKE SURE THE DIAGNOSIS DOESN'T GET MISSED.

OTHER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE SEEMING SPACED OUT OR NOT FOCUSING ON OBJECTS OR PEOPLE AS WELL AS THEY USED TO, SLEEPING MORE THAN USUAL OR BEING UNABLE TO SLEEP.

BEING FUSSIER THAN USUAL.

SEIZURES, BREATHING PROBLEMS, ALL THE WAY TO CARDIO PULMONARY ARREST WHERE CHILDREN COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND THEIR HEART AND LUNGS HAVE STOPPED WORKING.

>> SO THE TRAINING THAT MANAGES UNDERGO TO RECOGNIZE THESE SIGNS -- PHYSICIANS UNDERGO TO RECOGNIZED THESE SIGNS, IS THAT HAPPENING ONGOING, CONTINUAL EDUCATION FOR PROVIDERS WHETHER THEY'RE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS OR MAYBE SPECIALISTS WHO SEE CHILDREN?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS.

WITH HOUSE BILL 157 THAT WAS PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE LAW ESSENTIALLY SPELLED OUT THAT ANY PHYSICIAN THAT TAKES CARE OF CHILDREN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE THE ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA TRAINING.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT IS ONGOING.

>> SO I WANT TO GO BACK TO SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS AND DRILL DOWN TO PARTS OF SENATE BILL 8, AND WE'LL TAKE THE OTHERS AS WE HAVE TIME TONIGHT AND TALK ABOUT THIS LATEST EXTERNAL REVIEW, ANNUAL REPORT ON CHILD FATALITY AND NEAR FATALITIES.

YOU MENTIONED, SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, ABOUT THE CONNECTION OR MAYBE DISCONNECTION BETWEEN POVERTY AND NEGLECT.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE, I MEAN, HOW YOU MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, THAT IT'S NOT NEGLECT, IT'S JUST A MANIFESTATION OF A CHILD WHO LIVES IN POVERTY.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, AND IT WAS INTERESTING AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS, I NEVER REALLY INITIALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT DISTINCTION, BUT YEARS AGO WE VIEWED HOUSEHOLD THAT THATS T WERE IN POVERTY AS SOMEHOW MOW SUSPECT THAN A HOUSEHOLD THAT WAS AFFLUENT, AND THE TRUTH IS SOMETIMES PARENTS WHO ARE IN POVERTY LOVE THEIR CHILDREN JUST AS MUCH AS AFFLUENT PARENTS DO, SO WE CAN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN POVERTY AND AFFLUENCE.

BUT FOR I GUESS AN EASY EXAMPLE WOULD BE THAT A CHILD COMES IN AND SOMEONE MIGHT SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE.

WELL, THE TRUTH IS THEY HAVE UNSAFE -- THEY HAVE AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT AT HOME.

AND SO WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED IS, AGAIN, THAT MODERATE RISK, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE SOMEONE COME IN, THAT KIND OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES COME IN, LOOK AT THE HOME, EXPLAIN TO THE MOM OR THE DAD OR BOTH PARENTS, HERE'S WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR HOME BEING SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD.

AND SO THEY MITIGATE THAT PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THAT CHILD.

AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PARENT BEING NEGLECTFUL.

IT'S JUST THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO HAVE A SAFE HOME ENVIRONMENT.

SO THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE SIMPLEST EXAMPLE OF HOW THAT TRANSLATES INTO REAL WORLD.

>> YEAH, DR. , DO YOU HAVE A FURTHER EXPLANATION ON THAT?

I THINK MAYBE SOME PARENTS LISTENING WOULD THINK WHO IS GOING TO REFER SOMEONE TO MY HOME TO DETERMINE THAT, WELL, IT'S THE REASON OUR LOW INCOME IS PRESENTING PERHAPS AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY CHILD.

I MEAN, THAT CAN SEEM MAYBE CONFUSING FOR PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT ROOM FOR MISINTERPRETATION, TOO, RIGHT?

SO WHAT SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS DID IN SENATE BILL 8 IS REALLY PIVOTAL IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN POVERTY AND NEGLECT.

THE LAST FIGURES THAT WE SAW RELATED TO US BEING FIFTH IN NATION.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT 87% OF THOSE CASES WERE NEGLECT RELATED WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MALTREATMENT OVERALL.

SO NEGLECT IS A MAJORITY OF CASES THAT WE SEE IN KENTUCKY AND NATIONALLY.

THAT'S THE TREND OVERALL.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMEBODY WILL MAKE A CALL TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES BECAUSE THE CHILD IS COMING INTO SCHOOL DIRTY, UNBATHED, UNKEPT, AND WHAT TENDS TO HAPPEN IS THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING CARED FOR.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INTERROGATED THERE IS IS IT A FINANCIAL ISSUE.

IS THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS MAKING A DECISION TO NOT CARE FOR THE CHILD OR IS IT BECAUSE THEY LEGITIMATELY DID NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS AND/OR CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FINANCIAL MEANS TO REALLY ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

SO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NEGLECT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, SUPERVISIONAL AND BASIC NEEDS.

SO IT'S -- SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS' BILL CREATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT BRINGING FAMILIES INTO THE SYSTEM FOR STRUGGLING ONLY WITH FINANCIAL ISSUES AND IT'S REALLY A MATTER OF CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES.

IT'S -- THERE'S AN INTENTIONALITY WITHIN THAT THAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT.

>> WHEN YOU SPOKE OF MEDICAL NEGLECT, CAN YOU DEFINE THAT OR MAYBE DR. CURRIE COULD.

>> I THINK PROBABLY DR. CURRIE COULD DO THAT PERT.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, DR. MOODY, ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEGLECT, AND SHE MENTIONED MEDICAL NEGLECT, AND I HOPE YOU CAN CLARIFY WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US.

>> SO, SURE.

MEDICAL NEGLECT IS ANY SITUATION WHERE A CAREGIVER FOR A CHILD IS EITHER NOT SEEKING MEDICAL CARE FOR A CHILD WHO HAS CLEAR SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT INDICATE THAT THEY NEED MEDICAL CARE OR THEY HAVE SOUGHT THAT MEDICAL CARE AND THEY'RE NOT FOLLOWING THE -- ADHERING TO THE PRESCRIBED TREATMENT PLAN THAT THEY'VE AGREED TO.

AND WE HAVE SEEN A GOOD SIZE JUMP IN MEDICAL NEGLECT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ADDRESSED BY THE EXTERNAL PANEL IN OUR REPORT THIS YEAR, IS THE NUMBER OF, FOR EXAMPLE, DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS ADMISSIONS.

SO DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS IS A COMPLICATION OF DIABETES THAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH INSULIN.

AND IT CAN BE DEADLY.

AND WE HAVE SEEN A PIKE IN THAT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY REQUIRES NOT JUST EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES BUT ALSO EDUCATION FOR THE MEDICAL PROVIDERS SO THAT THEY KNOW AT WHAT POINT DOES CPS NEED TO COME INTO THE, YOU KNOW, INTO THE PICTURE TO TRY TO HELP ADDRESS WHAT CHALLENGES AND WHAT BARRIERS THE FAMILY IS FACING.

ALL THE WAY TO EDUCATING KIDS THEMSELVES ABOUT THEIR OWN CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND HELPING DESTIGMATIZE THOSE CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

>> MS. WAGERS, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT HOW YOUR OFFICE DEALS WITH NEGLECT.

ABUSE MAY SEEM PRETTY CLEAR CUT, BUT AS YOU HEARD THERE MOODY SAID, WHAT IS IT 80%SOME.

>> 87%.

>> 87% OF THESE CASES ARE NEGLECT, SO HOW DO YOU APPROACH THAT.

>> >> WE APPROACH IT THROUGH PREVENTION EFFORTS BECAUSE YOU DOB KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW TYPE OF SITUATION, AND MOST OF THE TIMES YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO REALLY WANT TO PROVIDE OR CAREGIVERS WHO WANT TO PROVIDE ULTIMATELY A SAFE AND WONDERFUL CHILDHOOD FOR THIS CHILD, BUT IF THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF WHAT TO DO, WHAT BEST PRACTICES ARE OUT THERE, AND SO WITH THE CHILD VICTIM'S TRUST FUND WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS.

WITH SENATE BILL 8, THE SCOPE OF THE CHILD VICTIMS TRUST FUND AND THE BOARD EXPANDED BEYOND SEXUAL ABUSE SO YOU HAVE A FEELING WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON THE LARGEST FORM OF ABUSE IN KENTUCKY, WHICH IS NEGLECT.

>> SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT -- AND DR. KERRY HAS MENTIONED ABOUT HAD EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL ANNUAL REPORT THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK.

THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT LAST YEAR'S REPORT AND SECRETARY FRIEDLANDER WHO IS OVER THE STATE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES CABINET HAD SAID THAT IT WAS DETERMINED 75 OF THE 80 DEATHS THAT WERE POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE AND TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE CASES, THE FAMILY HAD PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT IN THE STATE SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM.

IS THAT A CONTINUING TREND FOR THIS REPORT IN 2022?

DR. CURRIE, I'LL COME TO YOU FIRST.

>> YES, IT IS.

THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES THAT WE REVIEWED, BOTH THE FATALITIES AND THE NEAR FATALITIES, HAD PRIOR CABINET INVOLVEMENT.

THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY IMPLY THAT THE CABINET DID ANYTHING WRONG DURING THEIR PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT.

THEY MAY HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUES THAT WERE AT HAND AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME FOR THE FAMILY, AND THEN SOMETHING CHANGED WITH THE FAMILY.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE NEW CAREGIVERS THAT COME INTO THE PICTURE AND LOTS OF -- LOTS OF OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN HAPPEN.

BUT, YES, DCBS HISTORY IS ONE OF THE TOP THREE INDICATORS THAT WE DISCOVERED IN THE CASES THAT WE EVALUATED, AS WELL AS DCBS ISSUES, AND DCBS ISSUES IS WHEN THERE WERE SOME FEATURES IDENTIFIED WHERE DCBS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ACTUALLY DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD HAVE DONE.

>> AND SENATOR JULIE RAQUE ADAMS, I WANT TO HAVE YOU PICK UP ON THAT POINT BECAUSE OFTENTIMES THE QUESTION IS, WELL, WHAT IS THE STATE DOING OR NOT DOING TO BETTER PROTECT THESE KIDS.

IS THAT A QUESTION YOU ASK WHEN YOU HEAR STATISTICS SUCH AS WHAT DR. CURRIE JUST MENTIONED?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT MY JOB AS A LEGISLATOR IS TO MAKE SURE THAT I KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND KEEP ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS CLOSE SO THAT WE HAVE THE BEST LEGISLATION POSSIBLE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT IT, A STATE WORKER CAN'T DO SOMETHING THAT'S NOT STATUTORILY REQUIRED FOR THEM TO DO.

SO THEY NEED THAT FLEXIBILITY, AND IF THAT REQUIRES A STACH TO CHANGE, THEN WE NEED TO BE READY AND PREPARED TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER THING, TOO, IS THAT IT REQUIRES MONEY, AND SO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR IN THE '22 BUDGET IS THAT WE APPROPRIATED OVER $20 MILLION TO GO FOR PREVENTION SERVICES.

I THINK THAT'S A REALLY CRITICAL PIECE OF THIS.

BECAUSE YOU CANNOT -- YOU CANNOT FULFILL THE OBLIGATION OF PROTECTING CHILDREN UNLESS YOU HAVE THE REQUISITE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

WE HAD OVER 600 SOCIAL WORKERS QUIT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE, QUITE HONESTLY, THE TRAUMA WAS SO INTENSE FROM SO MANY OF THESE CASES, THEIR BACK LOADS, THE BACKLOG ASSOCIATED WITH OUR RANKING BEING NUMBER ONE AND IN THE TOP FIVE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WAS JUST TREMENDOUS.

AND SO THERE IS A REAL FUNDING COMPONENT THAT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN MY OPINION, IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING DOWN THESE NUMBER THAT ARE IN A REALLY UNACCEPTABLE TREND RIGHT NOW.

>> SO WHEN YOU MENTION THOSE MILLIONS THAT WERE APPROPRIATED, THAT WASN'T JUST TO SHORE UP, SO WORKERS, RIGHT?

YOU TALK ABOUT PREVENTION.

MANY PEOPLE MAY ASK, WELL, WHAT DOES PREVENTION REALLY LOOK LIKE.

HOW DOES THAT OPERATIONALIZE?

>> YEAH, AND I THINK THAT DR. MOODY CAN PROBABLY EXPOUND UPON THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FUNDING ON MULTIPLE FRONTS, AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO INITIALLY INVESTIGATE THESE CASES, THEN YOU GO INTO THE REPORTS THAT DR. CURRIE IS DISCUSSING, THESE TERRIBLE NUMBERS THAT ARE AFFLICTING KIDS PRIMARILY UNDER THE AGE OF ONE, WHICH IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE.

BUT, YEAH, NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PERSONNEL, WHICH WE'RE COMMITTED TO HAVING AND SHORING UP, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PREVENTION SERVICES, AND YOU HAVE THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS YOU HAVE MULTIPLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT ARE AS INTERESTED AS WE ARE IN CHANGING THAT TRAJECTORY.

>> DR. CURRIE, I'LL GO TO YOU NOW FOR TO YOU PIGGY BRACK ON WHAT SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS JUST SAID.

>> WELL, I THINK -- >> AND NORTON HAS A GREAT -- THEY'RE DOING GREAT STUFF TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HI WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AT PREVENTION, YOU'RE LOOKING AT EDUCATION ABOUT EARLY WARNING SIGNS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT THERAPY SERVICES FOR A MEIR WHO HAS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, YOU'RE LOOKING AT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR A CAREGIVER IN HOME THAT'S STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, YOU'RE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR PRISONERS AS THEY'RE BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON SO THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT'S WHAT PREVENTION LOOKS LIKE.

EARLY CHILDHOOD INVESTMENT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PREVENTION TOOLS THAT WE HAVE, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON EARLY RECOGNITION FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS THAT COME INTO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN AS PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES.

>> SO, DR. MOODY, WHAT'S MISSING?

WHAT HASN'T BEEN SAID THAT WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE PREVENTION TOOL?

>> I THINK DR. CURRIE COVERED A LARGE GAMUT.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRIMARY PREVENTION, WHICH IS WHERE WE REALLY WANT THINGS TO GO, IT'S REALLY THAT UNIVERSAL OPPORTUNITY WITHIN COMMUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO -- TO SEEK HELP, TO ASK FOR HELP WITHOUT FEAR OF, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL REPERCUSSIONS WHERE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES IS GETTING INVOLVED IN THOSE EXTREME CASES, BUT THINGS LIKE CRISIS CHILD CARE THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN SOME INDICATES STATES WHERE IF THE PARENT OR CAREGIVER IS REALLY STRUGGLING, WHETHER IT'S WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE OR THEY HAVE TO GO TO COURT, HAVING A PLACE TO PROVIDE THEIR CHILD SAFE CHILD CARE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF KEEPING KIDS SAFE OVERALL.

SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS HAD SPOKEN TO THAT $20 MILLION, AND I THINK A LOT OF WHERE THAT IS GOING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES IS ON THOSE KNOWN FACTORS RISK RELATED TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WITH THE KAY STEP PROGRAM OR WITH THE START PROGRAM.

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REALLY UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS A NUANCED ISSUE.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS AROUND THE TABLE TABLE, AND IT ALSO TAKES LOOKING AT THE CONTINUUM FROM PRIMARY PREVENTION TO THAT, CHECKING IN, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE NOT STIGMATIZING HEALTH SEEKING TO REMOVING A CHILD WHEN IT'S NECESSARY WHEN THE PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS JUST CAN'T MAINTAIN THEIR SAFETY.

>> HAVE GUY COUPLE OFFERS THAT COMING IN.

I'LL GET TO THOSE IN JUST A MOMENT.

I DO KNOW THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS ALSO A BIG PART OF THIS ISSUE AND WE OFTEN SEEM TO SEPARATE THOSE, BUT THEY REALLY ARE A PART OF THE SAME CONVERSATION.

SO HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THAT PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT?

WHICH IS A GROWING CRIME IN KENTUCKY.

>> IT IS.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE CHILDREN ARE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE KENTUCKIANS, AND SO PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PREY ON THAT AND PREY NOT ONLY ON THE CHILDREN BUT ON THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES.

THERE'S A LOT OF GROOMING ONLINE THAT IS OCCURRING WITH THAT.

BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING A RISE IN FAMILIARIAL TRAFFICKING IN KENTUCKY, AND IT'S SAD TO THINK ABOUT THAT AIR CAREGIVER OR A PARENT MAY BE INVOLVED IN THE TRAFFICKING OF A CHILD, BUT BECAUSE OF OUR HUGE OPIOID EPIDEMIC HERE IN KENTUCKY, WE ARE SEEING THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT.

JUST A DESPERATE CRY FOR CHANGE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

AND SO WE LAUNCHED A SAVE LIVES CAMPAIGN JUST TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GENERAL SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACROSS THE GAMUT.

>> WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

>> SO IT KIND OF DEPENDS.

THERE'S NOT JUST ONE SIGN THAT GOES INTO THAT.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF INDICATORS.

IT COULD BE IN A CHILD, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHILD WITHDRAWN.

THEIR BEHAVIOR HAS CHANGED.

SO IF YOU'RE A PARENT OR I TEACHER AND YOU NOTICE THAT THE CHILD IS ACTING OUT OR SUDDENLY THEY HAVE -- THEY'RE WEARING DIFFERENT CLOTHETO YOU THAT YOU DON'T RECALL BUYING FOR THEM SORRY THEY HAVE ELECTRONICS AT SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE WONDERING WHERE DID THEY COME UP WITH THIS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT A LOT OF JUST CHANGES IN HOW THEY RESPOND TO THINGS.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE BEING SECRETIVE WITH THE OTHER THEIR PHONE OR THEIR RESPONSES, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PROGRAMS OUT THERE THAT WILL HELP PARENTS KEEP AN EYE ON WHO IS TRYING TO THAT TO THEIR CHILD ONLINE.

>> HOW YOUNGER CHILD VICTIMS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

>> OH, AS YOUNG AS AN INFANT.

>> MERCY.

>> IS ON WE SEE THE GAMUT.

THE AVERAGE AGE FROM THE LATEST DCBS REPORT ON CHILD TRAFFICKING IN KENTUCKY WAS 13 BUT THAT'S AT DISCLOSURE.

>> THIS IS A TOUGH PIVOT FROM THAT COMMENT, SO EXCUSE ME FOR NOT HAVING A GRACEFUL PIVOT HERE, BUT WE DID HAVE A QUESTION FROM DIFFICILEMAN OR ZEILMAN TO GET YOU ALL'S OPINION ABOUT THE CASA PROGRAM, THE COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE.

DO YOU WAP TO TAKE THAT, MS. WAGERS?

>> SURE.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO THEY ARE ONE OF THE AMAZING PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN KENTUCKY ABOUT CONNECTING RESOURCES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, AND SO THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY ON THE CHILD VICTIMS TRUST FUND BOARD, THE CHILD ABUSE NEGLECT AND PREVENTION BOARD.

THEY'RE A PARTNER WITH THAT.

BUT THEY'RE REASONABLE ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH I IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE TO HAVE A RESOURCE IN A LOCAL JURISDICTION AREA BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO COME AND SEEK HELP FROM MAYBE NECESSARILY LEXINGTON OR LOUISVILLE OR EVEN FRANKFORT.

>> AND ANYBODY CAN BE A CASA VOLUNTEER.

>> YES.

>> ARE THERE ANY KIND OF REQUISITES FOR THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE NUMBER ONE REQUISITE FOR BEING A CASA VOLUNTEER IS THAT YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT CHILD BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF I GUESS 31ST FOR SEEKING -- THIRST FOR SEEKING OUT THE BEST INTERESTS FOR A CHILD, LIKE THAT'S WHAT REALLY MOTIVATES YOU TO PUT IN THE EXTRA TIME, BECAUSE IT'S A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

>> AND PEOPLE WOULD THINK I NEED A LEGAL BACKGROUND, I NEED TO BE A LAWYER TO DO THAT.

IS THERE A CERTAIN PROFESSION THAT'S BETTER SUITED TO BE A CASA VOLUNTEER?

>> I THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO LEARN, THEY'RE WILLING TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE ON THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, THOSE WITH A LEGAL BACKGROUND, SOMETIMES YOU UNDERSTAND THE COURT SYSTEM A LITTLE BETTER AND IT'S NOT AS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, THE COURT SETUP OR THIS IS WHERE THE JUDGE WILL HAVE YOU SIT AND THIS IS WHERE YOUR FAMILY WILL BE, BUT ALL THOSE THINGS CAN BE TAUGHT.

>> YES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENT, DR. MOODY, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT OR EVEN HOW IT CAN BE IMPROVED, THE CASA SYSTEM?

>> YEAH, I -- WELL, I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT CASA WITHIN KENTUCKY.

IT SEEMS TO BE FUNCTIONING WELL.

THEY'RE GROWING.

AND IN HAVING THAT ONE ADULT FOR A CHILD CAN BE REALLY CRITICAL.

SO HAVING SOMEBODY THERE TO LISTEN, TO HEAR, TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT CHILD, ESPECIALLY A CHILD WHO IS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM OR LIVING WITH RELATIVES OR EFFECT KINSHIP CAREGIVERS HAVING AN ADULT TO FOCUS ON THE CHILD CAN BE LIFE CHANGING.

>> DR. CURRIE OR SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, DO YOU CARE TO COMMENT ON CASA?

>> I CAN SAY THAT CASA VOLUNTEERS ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE THE TIME TO DIG IN, TO GET TO KNOW THE CHILD, TO GET TO KNOW THE CHILD'S CIRCUMSTANCES, TO KNOW THE CHILD'S CONCERNS.

, AND TO ADDRESS THE CHILD'S CONCERNS AND TO REPRESENT THOSE IN THE COURTROOM SO THAT JUDGES ARE FULLY INFORMED WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THEIR DECISIONS.

AND THAT IS JUST INVALUABLE.

>> YEAH, AND THE ONLY THING I'LL ADD IS CASA HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THEY COME EVERY YEAR, EVERY BUDGET CYCLE, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE INCREASED THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CASA AS THEY -- AS THEIR NEED AS GROWN IN EACH OF THESE COMMUNITIES, SO WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND THEIR FOOTPRINT WHENEVER POSSIBLE WITH STATE DOLLARS.

>> WE HAVE THIS QUESTION FROM ANDY FROM OWENSBORO.

HOW DO YOU THINK WOKISM, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, TELLING CHILDREN THEY CAN TRANSITION GENDERS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS AFFECTING CHILDREN?

IS THAT A FORM OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE?

DR. MOODY.

>> I'LL TAKE THAT.

>> OKAY.

WILL YOU TAKE THAT?

>> IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> SURE.

>> PLEASE DO.

>> AS A CHILD ABUSE PEDIATRICIAN, ACTUALLY THE ABSENCE OF MEDICAL CARE FOR A TRANSITIONING YOUTH IN AND OF ITSELF IS A FORM OF MEDICAL NEGLECT, SO WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT FROM THE OPPOSITE STANDPOINT, THAT CHILDREN DESERVE THE MEDICAL CARE THAT THEY NEED FOR WHATEVER THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS AND THAT THAT IS A PRECIOUS DECISION THAT HAPPENS 20 A CHILD, THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR DOCTOR.

>> SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, DO YOU CARE TO COMMENT FURTHER?

>> NO, I DO KNOW THAT IT WILL BE A TOPIC AS WE RECONVENE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOMORROW.

I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF BILLS FILED, AND I'M ANXIOUS TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON THAT.

I HAVE HEARD THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO CHARACTERIZE THAT ANY -- ANY MEDICAL INTERVENTION UNDER THE AGE OF 18, PEOPLE ARE CHARACTERIZING THAT AS A NEW FORM OF CHILD ABUSE, AND, LIKE DR. CURRIED THE SAID, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO TESTIMONY FROM THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LISTEN TO TESTIMONY FROM THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE FROM A PUBLIC POLICY STANDPOINT.

>> AND YOU THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT WILL SPEAK TO THAT ISSUE?

>> I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN -- I DON'T THINK THERE HAVE BEEN ANY FILED IN THE SENATE BUT I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE THAT HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE HOUSE.

>> ANY COMMENT HERE FROM OUR LEXINGTON DUO ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> I THINK THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD HAVE IS THAT WE TREAT CHILDREN AS INDIVIDUALS AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE RESEARCH AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS ON THE IMPACT OF THEIR WELL-BEING PSYCHOLOGICALLY, PHYSICALLY AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED OFF OF THAT.

>> MS. WAGERS.

>> I AGREE.

>> LET'S DO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE DISTURBING AND, DR. CURRIE, YOU KIND OF TOOK US THERE A FEW MINUTES AGO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE FINDINGS FROM THE EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL WAS ABOUT SCREENED-OUT REFERRALS, AND I THINK THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO DEFINE WHAT THAT IS AND THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON CHILDREN.

>> SURE.

SCREENED-OUT REFERRALS ARE THOSE CALLS THAT ARE PLACED TO THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE THAT DON'T MEET CRITERIA FOR INVESTIGATION, AND SO WE CALL THOSE SCREENED-OUT REFERRALS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS THAT REFERRAL CAN BE SCREENED OUT, AND NOT ALL SCREENED-OUT REFERRALS ARE INAPPROPRIATE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL, YOU KNOW, FOR RETAL YOU YA TORRIE REASONS OR NOT THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS OR THEY MAY NOT HAVE SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS.

IT MAY BE VAGUE CONCERNS.

THOSE ARE APPROPRIATE SCREEN-OUTS.

BUT NATIONALLY THIS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY CHILD FATALITY REVIEW EXPERTS AS AN AREA OF FOCUS.

AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN A FAIR NUMBER OF CASES HERE IN KENTUCKY WHERE THE CHILDREN PRESENTED WITH FATALITY OR NEAR FATALITY AND HAD A HISTORY OF SCREENED-OUT REFERRALS.

AND IN SOME OF THOSE CASES, YOU KNOW, WE QUESTIONED WHY THEY WERE SCREENED OUT.

SOME OF THE SPECIFICS THAT WE'RE HOPING WILL START BEING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE ARE WHETHER OR NOT THE CHILD HAS HISTORY WITH DCBS TO BEGIN WITH, WHETHER IT'S A PROFESSIONAL THAT'S MAKING THE REPORT.

WHEN A PROFESSIONAL LOOK A TEACHER OR A DOCTOR -- LIKE A TEACHER OR A DOCTOR OR A NURSE MAKES THE REPORT, THAT ARGUABLY SHOULD CARRY MORE WEIGHT OR JUSTIFY THE REPORT BEING SCREENED IN.

>> ANY OTHER FURTHER COMMENT ON THAT?

DR. MOODY.

>> I THINK THE QUALITY OF THE REPORT NEEDS TO BE EMPHASIZED, TOO, AND WHEN FOLKS ARE MAKING THAT REPORT, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC ABOUT THE WITH THE DETAILS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> OVERDOSE.

THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

OVERDOSE AND INGESTION CASES.

THIS IS REALLY DISHEARTENING.

SO FROM THE REPORT, SINCE 2015, THE EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL HAS DOCUMENTED A 350%, PERCENT INCREASE IN OVERDOSE INGESTION CASES.

THESE TYPES OF CASES HAVE MORINELLO DOUBLED SINCE THE STATE FISCAL YEAR OF 2019.

OPIATE INGESTION ACCOUNTED FOR THE MAJORITY OF FATAL OR NEAR FATAL WITH 88 PERCENT OF THESE, MS. WAGERS, IDENTIFIED WITH FENTANYL.

FIRST OF ALL, HOW IS IT EVEN HAPPENING?

HOW IS THE I HAD CAN GETTING ACCESS?

IS IT A MATTER OF STORAGE?

OR WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?

>> STORAGE IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THE FACT THAT CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO MAYBE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, LET'S SAY, ONE OF THESE SIBLINGS IN THE HOUSEHOLD MAY TAKE MEDICINE AND THE CHILD -- THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S PRESCRIBED.

IT HAS A, YOU KNOW, A MEDICAL LOCK TYPE OF SITUATION, AND YOU THINK, OH, WELL, THIS IS CHILD PROOF.

IT'S NOT CHILD PROOF.

AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT KEEPING IT OUTSIDE THEIR ACCESS, I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED BY WHAT MY CHILDREN CAN REACH IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND HOW INTUITIVE THEY ARE ABOUT, OH, I CAN USE THE CHAIR TO MOVE THINGS OVER AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE SEEING UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF SITUATIONS WHERE THE CAREGIVER IS -- THEY ARE TAKING ILLICIT SUBSTANCE AND THEY PASS OUT FROM THAT, AND THEN THE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO THE REMAINING SUBSTANCE, AND SO IT'S JUST REALLY ALARMING TO SEE THIS.

OF COURSE I THINK IT WAS 83% IN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND SO HOW PREVENTIBLE.

THESE ARE PREVENTIBLE ISSUES, AND I KNOW THAT THE REPORT TALKS SIGNIFICANTLY ABOUT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR REPORT WERE NEAR FATAL, BUT THEY ARE SEEING A TREND WHERE THEY ARE BECOMING FATAL, AND SO THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY SOME OF THE MOST PREVENTIBLE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR IN KENTUCKY, AND WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A STORAGE CONTAINER THAT ARE KEEPING YOUR MEDICINE LOCKED FAR AWAY FROM WHERE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS, KEEPING IT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND IN LOCKED CONTAINERS.

THERE'S THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN DO THAT THEY DON'T REALLY NECESSARILY THINK ABOUT.

WHEN THEY GO TO THE GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE AND THEY KEEP ALL THEIR MEDICINE, LET'S SAY, IN THEIR PURSE, AND SO THEY'RE NO THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN BABY-PROOF THAT ASPECT OF THEIR HOUSE WHEN THE CHILD COMES OVER.

THEY'RE THINKING, OH, I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE, YOU KNOW, THE LIGHT SOCKETS ARE COVERED AND THAT ALL THE BUMPS IN LIKE THE -- >> SOOTHING OUT THE HARD EDGES.

>> SOOTHING OUT THE ROUGH EDGES SO THEY DON'T FALL AND HIT THEMSELVES OR THERE'S THINGS THAT THEY CAN'T CLIMB ON TO HURT GLASS TABLES, BUT SOMETIMES THE MOST DANGEROUS THING CAN BE ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE.

>> AND SOMETIMES THIS IS NOT INTENTIONAL NEGLECT, DR. CURRIE, RIGHT?

OR IS IT?

I MEAN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO FENTANYL, WHICH IS AN ILLICIT ILLEGAL DRUG, THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT THING THAT GETTING HOLD OF YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION.

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABLE THERE.

I THINK THERE'S A DUTCH LEVEL OF -- A DIFFERENT LEVEL RISK FRANKLY IN THOSE CASES.

YOU KNOW, WE TRY HARD TO STAY AWAY FROM DISCUSSING INTENT IN CHILD ABUSE PEDIATRICIAN BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING THROUGH FOLKS' MINDS, ABOUT WE CAN SAY THAT THINGS WERE WANTON OR RECKLESS, THAT ANY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD HAVE KNOWN, FOR EXAMPLE, TO KEEP NARCOTICS OFF THE COFFEE TABLE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE A TWO-YEAR-OLD IN THE HOME.

AND, YEAH, I THINK THAT THERE UNDERSTANDLY SHOULD BE A DIFFERENT LEVEL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THOSE CASES COMPARED TO WHEN A CHILD GETS INTO GRANDMA'S PURSE WHEN SHE COMES TO SEPARATE AND GETS IF BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION.

SO THOSE ARE DIFFERENT IN MANY WAYS.

>> SO ARE THERE RECOMMENDATIONS.

THAT THE EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL MADE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE?

>> YES, THERE ARE.

MEDICATION-ASSISTANT ASSISTED THERAPY AS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SOME OF THESE INGESTIONS.

MEDICATION ASSISTED THERAPY FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER IS A LIFESAVER FOR MANY, MANY, MANY PEOPLE, AND THIS IS NOT IN ANY WAY A NEGATIVE ABOUT MEDICATION-ASSISTED THERAPY, BUT WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF COUNSELING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT KEEPING THEIR MEDICATION UP AND LOCKED AWAY.

THOSE BEAUTIFUL MORE MEAN AND METHADONE CONTAINING PRODUCTS CAN BE DEADLY TO YOUNG CHILDREN.

SO SIMPLY JUST SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICATION IN LOCK BOXES AS MS. WAGERER SAID BEFORE CAN GO A LONG WAY.

WE'RAL MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS SURROUNDING INGESTION CASES FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT SO THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOWS THAT IF THEY HAVE A REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT A CAREGIVER IS IMPAIRED AT THE TIME OF A FATALITY OF AN UNEXPECTED FATALITY IN A CHILD OR A NEAR FATALITY, THAT THEY GET THE BLOOD TESTING AND URINE TESTING NECESSARY TO SEE IF THAT CAREGIVER IS IMPAIRED.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> SO IS THAT ALREADY LAW?

SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, I THOUGHT THERE WAS A BLOOD TEST LAW THAT WAS PASSED LAST SESSION, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE.

>> I THINK SO, YEAH, I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.

AND YOU KNOW, RENEE, DR. CURRIE DISCUSSING THE TASK FORCE THE AND DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COME OUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN EVER-EVOLVING SPACE.

JUST TALKING ABOUT MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE NEW IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND SO AS LEGISLATORS WE DEFINITELY NEED THIS MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO TELL US HOW WE NEED TO ADJUST PUBLIC POLICY TO KEEP KIDS SAFE.

WE GO TO FRANKFORT FOR 30 DAYS THIS SESSION, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE COULD IMPROVE UPON, AND SO IT REALLY TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT PUBLIC POLY IN PLACE TO PROTECT THESE VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>> SENATE BILL 97, DR. MOODY, IS WHEN I WAS THINKING OF.

THIS REQUIRES A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO REQUEST A BLOOD, BREATH OR URINE TEST FROM A PERSON SUSPECTED BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL FOR A PARENT, GUARDIAN THAT HAS A CHILD THAT EXPERIENCES A FATAL OR NEAR FALLOUT FILE ABUSE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT PROPOSITION CAME FROM THE EXTERNAL PANEL, AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE -- SPACE AND MOVEMENT TEAM AND THE COALITION HAD WORKED HARD WITH SENATOR CARROLL TO GET THAT MOVING ALONG BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT ONLY THE TESTING BUT ALSO JUST THE RESPONSIVE INFORMS CORONER'S OFFICE AS WELL WAS PART OF THAT.

>> YEAH.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT, ABOUT THE CORONER'S INVOLVEMENTIC.

>> A LITTLE BIT, AND I THINK DR. CURRIE ALSO CAN DO THAT.

ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING, ACTUALLY DR. CURRIE AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE, BUT NEED FOR CORONER'S TO NOTIFY AND RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER IF THERE IS A FATALITY HUERTA PEERED THAT THERE WAS -- THAT IT WASN'T NATURAL CAUSES OF A CHILD, AND STATUTE HAS OUTLINE THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY BUT IT DIDN'T SAY THE TIMING ON THAT, AND IT ENDED UP OFTENTIMES THAT FOLKS WERE NOT GETTING NOTIFIED AT ALL OF THAT, AND THEN YOU CANNOT HAVE A CRIME SCENE OR A CASE SCENE IF YOU NEED TO DO AN INVESTIGATION.

>> DR. CURRIE, DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANY MORE TO THAT?

>> SURE.

I THINK FROM A CORONER'S STANDPOINT, A LOT OF IT IS EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, OUR CORONER SYSTEM HERE IN KENTUCKY DOES NOT REQUIRE A CORONER TO HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, AND SO THEY GET THAT TRAINING ONCE THEY'RE ELECTED, AND THAT TRAINING IS SO CRITICAL.

AND AS DR. MOODY SAID, YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN IN LAW FOR QUITE A WHILE, THAT BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH ARE TO BE NOTIFIED WHENEVER THERE'S AN UNEXPECTED DEATH IN A CHILD.

WE RECENTLY HAD LEGISLATION THAT CHANGED THAT LANGUAGE TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY SO THAT THAT TIME FRAME IS MORE CLEAR.

HELPING CORONERS UNDERSTAND WHEN TO RECOGNIZED THAT A CHILD'S DEATH IS UNEXPECTED, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE SEEN CASES IN EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL ILLNESSES, AND JUST BECAUSE A CHILD HAS COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DIE ANY TIME SOON, AND SO IF YOU RESPOND TO A SCENE OF A CHILD WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL ILLNESSES, WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE ASSUMING THAT THAT'S NATURAL CAUSES.

IT MAY BE BECAUSE OF MEDICAL NEGLECT OR OTHER FORMS OF MALTREATMENT.

AND SO HAVING CORONERS BE OPEN TO THAT CHANGE AND HAVING QUALITY TRAINING TO PROVIDE TO THEM IS REALLY CRITICAL.

>> IN THE EXTERNAL REVIEW REPORT, IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT YOUTH SUICIDES AND ACCESS TO FIREARMS, AND SO, DR. CURRIE, I WANT YOU TO CONTEXTUALIZE THAT FOR US.

WE THINK OF THOSE MIGHT NOT EVEN PERTAIN TO CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, BUT WHAT IS THE INTERSECTION THERE BETWEEN YOUTH SUICIDE AND MAYBE ACCESS TO FIREARMS AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S A FORM OF NEGLECT THAT'S CALLED UNSAFE ACCESS TO DEADLY MEANS.

AND IT'S WHEN A CHILD HAS ACCESS TO SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE THEIR DEATH.

AND FIREARM ARE CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.

AGAIN, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS OR ILLICIT SUBSTANCES ARE ANOTHER, UNSAFE ACCESS TO POOLS AND BODIES OF WATER.

ALL OF THOSE ARE IS I SIMILAR FORM OF NEGLECT.

AND IT IS JUST SO CRITICAL IN OUR YOUTH, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THAT FIREARMS IN THOSE HOMES ARE LOCKED UP AND KEPT OUT OF THE WAY.

IT'S ALSO A CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ISSUE BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING TODDLERS AND JUDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLKIDS GET AHOLD OF FIREARMS.

AND THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE FIREARMS.

IT'S SIMPLY AN ISSUE OF WHETHER WE STORE THEM SAFELY WHEN THERE ARE YOUNG DeMINT HOME.

AND THAT'S REALLY -- CHILDREN IN THE HOME, AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE CRUX OF THE PUSH IS COMING FROM.

>> SO DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT -- WITH THAT PUSH THAT'S COMING FROM EXTERNAL REVIEW PANEL, MS. WAGERS, WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE STORAGE AND PRESENTING THIS EASY ACCESS TO DEADLY WEAPONS?

>> YOU KNOW, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, INNER THE LEGISLATIVE BODY THAT WILL BE COMING UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND RULES FOR THE LAWS AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL BE ENFORCING THAT.

I DO THINK THAT WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THAT, WHETHER IT BE A FIREARM OR IT BE SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICINE, LIKE THE MORE YOU CAN INFORM PEOPLE AND HAVE THEM EDUCATED ON TOPICS ABOUT HOW THE THEY CAN PROTECT THEIR CHILD, THAT IS AN ULTIMATE 1-800-THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN KENTUCKY AND COMBAT CHILD ABUSE.

>> RATHER THAN PROSECUTION.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WITH PROSECUTION BECAUSE WE HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE CHILDREN ARE ATTAINING FIREARMS THROUGH MEANS, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY UNKNOWN TO THE PARENT TYPE OF SITUATION, SO I JUST THINK THOSE ARE DIFFICULT DECISIONS FOR THE LOCAL PROSECUTORS TO MAKE.

I DON'T ENVY THEM THOSE DECISIONS.

BUT THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEM ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

>> ANYTHING YOU CARE TO SHARE THERE, DR. MOODY, BEFORE WE DO A ROUND-ROBIN TO ROUND OUT OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

>> NO, MA'AM.

>> I WANT TO GO TO YOU, SENATOR YA WERE, BECAUSE YOU DO GO BACK INTO SESSION TOMORROW FOR THE REMAINING DAYS OF THE, 26 REMAINING.

ARE THERE OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THIS SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD WELFARE AND ADDRESSING MAL TREATMENT OF KIDS IN KENTUCKY?

.

>> WELL, I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT WE HAVE TO DO IS REMAIN VIGILANT.

WE HAVE TO -- I THINK ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS THAT PEOPLE ASSUME AS A LAWMAKER, THAT YOU HAVE THIS EXPERTISE ON ALL THIS, YOU KNOW, VAST SUBJECT MATTER, AND THE TRUTH IS LEGISLATORS DON'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE ON THESE VAST SUBJECT MATTERS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS ON.

SO WE HAVE TO RELY AND WE HAVE TO KEEP CLOSE THOSE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE SUBJECT MATTER AND THE SITUATIONS CLOSE.

AND SO THAT'S KIND OF MY OBJECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SPACE.

WE'RE NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET THERE.

AND SO WHILE WE'RE IN SESSION AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE I.

ADJUSTMENTS, TO MAKE BETTER PUBLIC POLICY, I NEED FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO ME AND SAY, JULIE, HERE'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

THIS IS A SHORTFALL.

I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN ONE SHUT-OUT FROM THE VOICES OF THE COMMONWEALTH WHO IS OUR FOSTER CARE, KIND OF OUR FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATION, AND THEY HAVE A TWEAK THAT THEY WANT ME TO DO TO SENATE BILL 8.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A 90-DAY WAITING PERIOD, SO IF YOU ARE AGING OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND STAY IN IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO STILL RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES, THERE'S THIS 90-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR YOU TO KIND OF REENTER THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

THEY'VE SAID TO US, THAT'S A BARRIER.

WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT WE'RE FINDING OUT THAT IT'S A BARRIER FOR THESE KIDS WANTING TO STAY IN THE SYSTEM UNTIL THEY GET A LITTLE BIT OLDER AND THEY HAVE A FEW MORE SKILLS.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THIS SESSION AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> WELL, THANK YOU, SENATOR RAQUE ADAMS, FOR HAVING US, PROMPTING US TO LOOK OUT FOR THAT.

AND WE THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS GREAT DISCUSSION POINT TONIGHT.

WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE LEARNED A LOT.

REMEMBER, WE ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION IF WE SEE SOMETHING, TO SAY SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR de KIDS SAFE.

NEXT WEEK ON KENTUCKY TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES.

WE'LL DISCUSS ABOUT WHETHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SHOULD HAVE ADDITIONAL TAX OPTIONS AND FIGHTS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE PARTISAN RACES.