2026 Forensics Victims of Crime Act (VOCA-UKRF-00033)

Pediatric Forensic Medicine VOCA Abstract and Goals Kentucky is ranked 4th in the nation for child maltreatment with a rate nearly double the national rate. Kentucky also has higher than average rates of co-occurring parental substance misuse and intimate partner violence, further complicating the needs of the children and families who arrive at University of Kentucky Pediatric Forensic Medicine (PFM) for services. PFM is one of only two specialized child maltreatment teams in the Commonwealth. During the last complete VOCA grant cycle, PFM served 952 unduplicated victims of all forms of maltreatment. PFM plays an integral role in evaluating, identifying and treating childhood physical and sexual abuse and neglect. PFM provides highly specialized services through specially trained medical and social work clinicians who work collaboratively with child protective services, law enforcement, medical providers and other service agencies to keep Kentucky’s children safe. An interdisciplinary approach to these most vulnerable victims is necessary to provide comprehensive services that can ensure access to evidence based medical treatment, safety for the child and support for the non-offending caregiver. Forensic nurses and child abuse pediatricians provide evidence based medical evaluation and treatment recommendations at initial consults and follow up evaluations; social workers provide evidence-based psychosocial interviews to gain a full picture of the family dynamics and the presence of risk and protective factors in the family, making clinical recommendations for interventions for the child and caregivers. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) provide brief psychosocial interventions to non-offending caregivers and children and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to child and caregiver dyad to improve attachment and attunement, repairing relationships and reducing risk of maltreatment. LCSWs also provide support and intervention at follow up appointments. Ongoing support of this project will allow the continuation of these established services in a State that is deeply impacted by childhood maltreatment.