By: Tara Pulaski
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel hosted A Conversation on Collaboration on April 25, an annual conference designed to support frontline social workers and foster parents. Over 60 attendees gathered at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington to learn strategies to best support youth in out-of-home care.
This year’s conference theme centered on support and safety for older youth in foster care. Sessions included youth and substance use, medication and firearm safety, caring for children that have experienced trauma, collaborating with Children’s Advocacy Centers to increase positive outcomes for youth, and preventing child sexual abuse. Continuing Education credits were also offered through the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
A Conversation on Collaboration is designed to bring together viewpoints from across child welfare, especially frontline social workers and foster parents who are both integral for children’s success. The conference name comes from the panel’s belief that the best way to support children is through collaboration and communication across different system roles.
Additionally, the yearly conference serves as a way for the panel to give back to those that do such great work for Kentucky’s children and families. For National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel would like to thank and recognize the hard work of DCBS frontline workers, foster and adoptive parents, and child welfare professionals that work tirelessly to keep children safe.
Kentucky’s nine CRPs are facilitated by the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work in collaboration with Kentucky’s Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). CRPs are groups of volunteers that work to improve the safety and well-being of children in Kentucky. For more information, please reach out to Tara Pulaski, the CRP Program Coordinator (Tara.Pulaski@uky.edu).
