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NASW Kentucky says public should focus on issues that lead to child injuries, deaths

The Lexington Herald-Leader has asked a judge to order the state to turn over uncensored copies of records of children who have died or almost died due to abuse or neglect, but the National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter said releasing names could lead to further victimization.

Instead the NASW Kentucky Chapter said in this article that the public should focus on the factors that led to the childrens’ injuries or deaths.

“Our response should target what we already know — frontline workers in Kentucky carry caseloads well above the national recommended number, have low salaries and high turnover rates, and are not required to be degreed or licensed social workers,” the chapter said in statement. 

The full NASW Kentucky Chapter press release is available at the chapter’s Website. Go there by clicking here.

Gov. Steve Beshear announced in November the state would release records of children who have been killed or nearly killed due to abuse or neglect. However the records that were released were heavily censored, with the names of children who were killed redacted and the names of counties where incidents occurred deleted.

The National Association of Social Workers is part of the National Coalition to End Child Abuse Deaths. The coalition supports new bicameral legislation from Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) that could make significant impact toward reducing fatalities from child abuse and neglect. To learn more about the coalition click here. You can also learn more about how social workers protect children by visiting NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Kids & Families Web page by clicking here.

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