Kentucky’s children are less resilient in the face of traumatic events compared to children nationwide. In the past four years reports of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky have increased by about 55 percent.
Pam Darnall is CEO of Family and Children’s Place. She said it’s important for children who have experienced trauma to be connected to a caring adult. Darnall said that lessens some of the negative impacts on cognitive development, and helps the child become more resilient.
“And I think we’re challenged when so many of our adults, many of them who are parents, are becoming addicted to drugs and they can’t care for themselves let alone their kids,” said Darnell.
According to a recent report from The National Survey of Children’s Health, about 53 percent of children in Kentucky have had at least one ‘Adverse Childhood Experience.’ That can be the death or incarceration of a parent, witnessing or being a victim of violence, or living with someone who has a drug or alcohol problem.
