One of the distinct pleasures of serv-ing on the KBF Board is having the opportunity to conduct site visits to

KBF grant recipients. I recently had the opportunity to conduct a visit at the Chil-dren’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass in Lexington. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) coordinates the investi-gation and treatment of the most serious child abuse cases in the Bluegrass Region. All services are provided in a nurturing, friendly and safe environment at no cost to a child’s family.

During my visit, I met with Townsend Miller, Development Director for CAC, who explained the various services CAC provides to child victims and their fami-lies. Additionally, Townsend explained that CAC of the Bluegrass provides services to 17 Kentucky counties and likewise has two satellite offices in Franklin County and Madison County. CAC of the Bluegrass employs full-time therapists, interviewers and family advocates that assist and support child victims and their families during their time of crisis.

Forensic Interviews: CAC employs spe-cially trained interviewers who are experts in talking to children in crisis. During fiscal year 2017-2018, CAC conducted nearly 900 forensic interviews.

Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass

Medical Examinations: Exams are con-ducted to diagnose and treat injury, collect forensic evidence, and provide reassur-ance to every child and family. All exams take place on-site in CAC’s bright, child-friendly clinic by a board-certified Child Abuse Pediatrician. At the conclusion of every medical exam, each child victim receives a teddy bear or other stuffed animal from CAC. In 2017-2018, CAC physicians conducted over 150 medical exams.

Advocacy Support: CAC family advocates provide a broad array of support services designed to help families understand the dynamics of abuse and navigate the com-plicated legal process.

Therapy: CAC offers trauma-focused therapy services to promote healing after abuse. Individual, group and family therapy

increase coping skills and reduces the occurrence of re-traumatization. CAC has also added the support of puppy therapy for child abuse victims. In 2017-2018, over 300 child victims received therapy services from CAC.

In 2018, CAC of the Bluegrass received a grant from the Kentucky Bar Foundation for $5,000. This grant was used to expand CAC facilities and fund the hiring of addi-tional staff to serve the 17-county region. According to national statistics, one in nine children will be a victim of child abuse by the time they are 18 years old. With the alarming rate of child victims, the need for the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass is even more essential to provide the support, protection, and care for Ken-tucky’s children.

Kelly Kirby RidingsHamm, Milby & Ridings, PLLCBoard Member, Kentucky Bar Foundation

At the conclusion of every medical exam, each child victim receives a teddy bear or other stuffed animal ...