C1.4 Community Supporters

Legal Authority

The agency collaborates with community partners to prevent child maltreatment and promote child, family, and community well-being.

Although the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) can play a critical role, prevention does not start with DCBS. Individuals and family-serving organizations in communities play the most critical role in primary prevention and supporting child and family well-being. Community members are best positioned to help families in their communities who may be struggling. Not only do they often have firsthand knowledge of a family’s challenges, but they also benefit from a relationship that may make it easier for a family to accept help when offered.
Reports should always be made to DCBS if there is suspicion of maltreatment. However, less than half of the reports to DCBS meet acceptance criteria. These are situations in which the reporter has some concern, but it does not rise to the acceptance threshold as an allegation of abuse or neglect. In these circumstances, communities are better able to meet the family's needs. The challenge is ensuring that community members have the knowledge, desire, and ability to help families in need when there is no suspicion of maltreatment.
Both the Division of Prevention and Community Wellbeing (DPCW) and staff in local offices play a key role in helping community members to support families in the following ways:

Providing information about the definitions of maltreatment and when to make a report, emphasizing that poverty is not neglect;
Clarifying that while Kentucky mandates reporting for everyone, this is only if there is a suspicion of maltreatment, which is the only way that DCBS may initiate contact with a family. For generalized needs or concerns, other community resources are often more appropriate;
Providing information to community members and organizations about available community resources for families in need, including Community Action Agencies (SOP C1.13), Family Resource Youth Service Centers (SOP C1.7), and faith-based organizations;
Referring families and community members to the resources of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, including Upstream Parent Education Providers;
Increasing community members' desire and ability to help families facing challenges by providing resources on how to do so including approaches like Lean On Me Kentucky – PCAKY;
Promoting widely offered training like Support Over Silence to increase the comfort level and skill of community members to support families in real-time.

Division of Prevention and Community Wellbeing (DPCW) Staff:

Provide implementation support for programs, initiatives, and trainings that promote well-being and support for families at the community level;
Identify prevention strategies and promote child, family, and community well-being in policy and practice;
Partner with statewide and community-based agencies to develop programs and resources that increase community support for families facing challenges;
Share opportunities for expanding family support resources in communities through grants or strategic partnerships; and
Provide technical assistance to staff and community partners on ways to support families at the community level.

The SSW:

Works collaboratively with community members and agencies to increase support for families outside of the child welfare system;
Shares information with community members and partners as requested or needed on the statutory definitions of maltreatment, when to report, and other resources that may be helpful in the absence of allegations of maltreatment;
Utilizes and shares the resources of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky and Lean On Me Kentucky – PCAKY as needed;
Utilizes Child Abuse Prevention Month activities and other formal events to promote messaging and tools for primary and secondary prevention; and
Advises DPCW of barriers to supporting families at the community level.