We attended LINK nky's Reader's Choice Awards ceremony and are humbled to come home with THREE awards!

A huge thank you to everyone who voted.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees we are truly honored to be in the company of such outstanding organizations.

See all the winners here: https://linknky.com/readerschoice/

LINK nky’s Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the businesses, people, and places that make NKY special. 

Nonprofits throughout the Tristate work tirelessly throughout the year to do good in the region.  The fifth annual Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit of the Year Awards honors the many nonprofit organizations that make an impact in the Tristate.  Thousands of people voted in this online competition for their favorites in 75 categories!

FAPA of NKY was selected as the winner of the Foster Parent/Family Recruitment category!  

Read the issue HERE

Thank you to our amazing community for making Grinchmas successful!
We had quite a few hiccups this year, but we pulled it off with LOTS of help!
We served 207 kids!

Thanks to our sponsors and all of our entertainment!
For Goodness Cakes
Cool Critters Outreach
MadCap Puppets
Itwist
CheeseMe Photobooth Rentals

We could not do any of it without our amazing VOLUNTEERS!
T H A N K  Y O U!

We were blesed by the community with an overwhelming amount of gifts!
We served our 207 kids registered
PLUS:
We gave 5 BIG game night giftpacks and gift cards as door prizes
We gave 4 BIG board game & book packages to a local Title 1 Elementary School
Provided gifts for  a family with 5 kids in need
and  DCBS Social Workers came and picked out gifts for 21 kids

FAPA of NKY's Amy Carder, who won a Governor's Ambassador Award for Community Service in July,  was invited to speak at CHFS Secretary's Luncheon for Governor's Ambassador Award Nominees on September 13th. 
Her speech highlighted the importance of DCBS in shaping her life from a teenager to now.  

There were 76 nominees from CHFS and 2 winners.

FAPA of NKY's Amy Carder highlighted in the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Employee Newsletter for National Foster Care Month May 2024. 

Monday, May 6, 2024 at the Independence City Council Meeting, Mayor Chris Reinersman presented FAPA of NKY cofounder Amy Carder and daughter Aaliyah Carder with a Proclamation making May 2024 National Foster Care Month in the city of Independence.

“Now, Therefore, I, Christopher J. Reinersman, Mayor of Independence, on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Independence, declare the entire month of May 2024 as NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH in the City of Independence, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens. I further commend FAPA of NKY, and all foster parents, for the outstanding and essential service they provide to our community.” 

Lexington, KY- Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) urged its partners this month to take a pledge and recommit to safeguarding the welfare and health of children. Over 30 partners, including nonprofits, government agencies, and healthcare agencies, have signed the pledge to date. 

The letter is included in its entirety below:
Children who live in families with access to economic and concrete supports are less likely to experience abuse and neglect. And science shows positive childhood experiences—like loving caregivers and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships—can help mitigate the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES). And it’s not just the parent or caregiver’s responsibility to provide this environment. We all have a responsibility to ensure children have positive experiences, and help families access the resources they need, when they need them, before they are in crisis. 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and our Partners across the commonwealth connect with families, communities, prevention advocates, and supporters to build a narrative of hope for children and families through collaboration and the creation of an ecosystem of primary prevention. Sometimes, overburdened parents and caregivers may be unable to provide the necessary care and support to their children and simply need help. We are actively building a hopeful future by creating an ecosystem of prevention that does not currently exist. This will require the work of our network and yours. You can join us in this work to protect children, Kentucky’s most vulnerable people. 

Together, let’s ask our leaders and policymakers to further prioritize kids and invest in more family-strengthening policies, economic supports, and community-based child abuse prevention programs at the national, state, and local levels. Child abuse prevention is hard work, but we believe there is an army of us who believe in the vision of a great future for all children. Together, we can prevent child abuse...because childhood lasts a lifetime.

We, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, and the undersigned Partners in Prevention, stand united in reaffirming our commitment, and are asking you to join us, as we build a more hopeful future for Kentucky children, youth, families, and communities.

We encourage you to take a moment to do one or more of these steps to become an active part of your local community’s social support system.
- Reach out to a neighbor, friend, classmate, or coworker and be intentional in offering ways you can provide support.
- When you see an overwhelmed parent, offer their child a compliment or tell the parent they are doing a good job.
- Know your neighbors! Exchange phone numbers for emergencies or other needs.
- Offer to help parents research local resources. It can be intimidating to find what you need when you are in crisis.
- Take the Lean On Me Kentucky Pledge and become a Community Supporter. For more information visit pcaky.org/about/lean-on-me-Kentucky.
And remember, families with these supports are less likely to abuse or neglect their children:
-Ability to manage stress
-Positive relationships
-Supportive community and resources
-Knowledge of child development and caregiving strategies
-Having their basic needs met

April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week.  FAPA of NKY honored some of our amazing volunteers who have worked countless hours to keep our events running smoothly. 

Volunteers were awarded with the President's Volunteer Service Award as well as Kentucky Volunteer Service Awards.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donates their time to helping us.  You are so appreciated.