The total number of children in out of home care is at an all-time high of over 10,000. This is a 35% increase from 2021.
Of that number, 9,100 (89%) are in foster care and 1,081 (11%) are in residential facilities.
It costs the state approximately $300 million dollars per year to provide housing for these kids.
15% of Kentucky students have at least one parent in jail. This is two times the national average.
26% of Kentucky children live in poverty.
64% of fourth-graders are not proficient in reading.
One in five children below the age of five has experienced some form of abuse or neglect.
Only 50% of Kentucky kids are Kindergarten ready.
In 2023 there were more than 14,963 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky. This is 14.7 Per 1000 children.
Kentucky has the nation’s second-highest child abuse and neglect rate.
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