Keeping Families Together: What SB 122 Means for Kentucky Kids and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Imagine being five years old and waking up to police officers at your front door to arrest your parent.

For thousands of Kentucky children, that moment isn’t hypothetical. It’s a memory. And it’s one that follows them for years, shaping their sense of safety long after the sirens fade.

Parental incarceration is one of the most common, and often overlooked, adverse childhood experiences (“ACEs”) in our state. This past legislative session, Kentucky lawmakers took a meaningful step toward changing that with Senate Bill 122, which asks judges to consider something they haven’t always been required to weigh: whether the person standing in front of them is the person a child depends on to survive.

What Are ACEs and Why Does a Parent’s Incarceration Count as One?

Adverse childhood experiences (“ACEs”) are the potentially traumatic events researchers have linked to worse health, education, and life outcomes decades later. Things like abuse, neglect, domestic violence in the home, or the loss of a parent can have significant long-term impacts on our health and wellbeing, well into adulthood. Since the original ACE study in the 1990s, the incarceration of a parent or guardian has been included on that list, right alongside abuse and neglect.

That’s not just a technicality. Research consistently shows that kids with an incarcerated parent are exposed to nearly five times as many other ACEs as kids who don’t have that experience (an average of about two additional adverse experiences, compared to less than half of one for their peers). Losing a parent to incarceration rarely happens in isolation; it tends to arrive alongside housing instability, lost income, and disrupted caregiving, each of which compounds the harm.

The Kentucky Numbers

Roughly 1 in 9 Kentucky kids grow up with a parent who's been incarcerated — a rate higher than every state but one. This burden isn’t distributed evenly either; close to 6 in 10 incarcerated women in Kentucky, and just over half of incarcerated men, are caretakers for minor

children. Because mothers so often hold together a family’s daily caregiving, their incarceration carries a steeper cost. Kids with an incarcerated mother land in foster care at roughly five times the rate of kids whose incarcerated parent is their father.

Every one of those numbers represents a kid whose daily life (school pickup, bedtime, the person who knows their favorite snack) was upended, often with little warning and no say in the matter.

What Senate Bill 122 Does

Section 1 of SB 122, titled the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, amends Kentucky’s core probation statute (KRS 533.010) to give judges a clearer path to keep caregivers out of prison when a safer, effective alternative exists.

Here’s what changes in practice: before a judge sentences someone to prison, they must now specifically consider whether that person is a “caretaker” (someone who has consistently provided housing, health care, education, or other support for a dependent child or family member, or a woman who is pregnant or gave birth while awaiting sentencing). That caretaker status becomes part of the same risk-and-needs evaluation courts already use to decide between probation and incarceration.

More importantly, this isn’t a “get out of accountability free” card. The bill still requires restitution and no-contact conditions to protect victims. Where a judge determines prison isn’t necessary for public safety, there are real, structured alternatives: home incarceration; residential treatment; halfway houses; probation paired with substance use treatment, parenting classes, vocational training; and even restorative practices that hold the person accountable directly to their victim. Judges retain full discretion to send someone to prison when public safety demands it. What SB 122 adds is a requirement that they actually look at the caregiving relationship before making that call—and a fuller toolbox of alternatives when incarceration isn’t the safest option for everyone involved, including the child.

Why This Matters for Kids

Other states have already found that this kind of reform works. Programs that keep caregivers connected to their kids, through alternative sentencing or diversion rather than straight incarceration, tend to produce better outcomes across the board: fewer kids entering foster care,

lower recidivism, and real savings for state budgets that would otherwise go toward incarceration alone. Keeping a family together isn’t just kinder; it’s often the more effective public safety strategy.

For the kids of Kentucky, that matters enormously. A child whose parent successfully completes treatment and comes home is a child spared from the added ACEs that so often follow incarceration. Recognizing parental incarceration as a preventable harm, not just an unavoidable consequence of the justice system, is exactly the kind of shift ACE-informed policy is supposed to produce.

We know SB 122 won’t solve every challenge facing those Kentucky families who are impacted by the justice system. But it reflects something we should all be able to agree on: that when it’s safe to do so, keeping a parent and child together is worth building into the law, not just hoping for. That’s a step in the right direction for Kentucky’s kids. And one we’re glad to see our lawmakers take.

Sources:

1. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), BOUNCE, https://bouncecoalition.org/what-are-aces/ (last visited July 22, 2026).

2. Children who had a parent who was ever incarcerated, THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION, https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/line/9688-children-who-had-a-parent-who-was-ever-incarcerated?loc=27&loct=2 (last visited July 22, 2026).

3. Crystal Willis, Breaking Barriers: Understanding the Impact of Parental Incarceration on Kentucky Families, KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES (Oct. 24, 2023), https://kyyouth.org/breaking-barriers-understanding-the-impact-of-parental-incarceration-on-kentucky-families/ (last visited July 22, 2026).

4. Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program: Report to the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary, OREGON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (Jan. 23, 2019), https://www.oregon.gov/cjc/SAC/Documents/FSAPPJointReport2019.pdf (last visited July 22, 2026).

5. Incarcerating Caregivers Hurts Kentucky Families, ACLU KENTUCKY (Sept. 27, 2024), https://www.cjcj.org/news/blog/let-kids-be-kids-the-effects-of-parental-incarceration-on-children (last visited July 22, 2026).

6. Let Kids Be Kids: The Effects of Parental Incarceration on Children, CENTER ON JUVENILE & CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Aug. 17, 2023), https://www.cjcj.org/news/blog/let-kids-be-kids-the-effects-of-parental-incarceration-on-children (last visited July 22, 2026).

7. We Can Prevent Childhood Adversity: The Science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Shows We Can Improve People’s Lives and Help Them Thrive, CDC, https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/aces-infographic/ (last visited July 22, 2026).

• CONTRIBUTOR

  Author: Tiffanie Tagaloa

  Tiffanie Tagaloa is an attorney in Children's Law Center's Lexington office, where her work is grounded in public-interest advocacy focused on protecting the rights of children, youth, and underserved communities. Her work is grounded in public-interest advocacy, focusing on the protection of the rights of children, youth, and underserved communities.

   Tiffanie earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, where she served as a staff editor on the Kentucky Law Journal. During law school, she interned and externed with the Fayette County offices of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy and held a limited practice license that allowed her to represent indigent clients under supervision. She also interned with the ACLU of Kentucky, where her work centered on legal advocacy for underrepresented youth, including issues related to gender-affirming medical care and access to health services, and researched the application of the death penalty in Kentucky and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.

   While in law school, Tiffanie worked with Street Law to educate high school students on their constitutional rights and launched a relief effort during the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods to assist impacted families with accessing FEMA aid. Before joining the Children’s Law Center, she practiced in both criminal defense and civil litigation in Kentucky. Outside of work, Tiffanie enjoys hiking, rafting, and spending time outdoors, usually accompanied by her husky, who has the confidence and attitude of a spoiled teenager.

Serving Kentucky’s youth from the mountains to the Bluegrass to the Mississippi River Valley

A little over six months ago, CLC’s Lexington office reopened with two attorneys, Tiffanie Tagaloa and me, marking a renewed and intentional presence for the organization in Central Kentucky. During CLC’s 37-year history, the Covington office has consistently been recognized for its leadership in youth advocacy. Yet, as the needs of young people across the Commonwealth have grown more complex, it has become increasingly clear that many families outside the reach of the Northern Kentucky office were attempting to navigate legal and administrative systems without consistent access to representation or guidance. 

Reinvesting in the Lexington office is our answer to that gap. It signals CLC’s commitment to be more accessible for young people in Kentucky who need representation by a guardian ad litem in protection order, high-conflict custody, or criminal matters, or who require assistance with protecting their education rights. 

Building a foundation 

From day one, Tiffanie and I have focused on building relationships with the people and systems that shape a young person’s daily life. We have met with judges, social services agencies, school districts, court personnel, and community partners across all regions of the Commonwealth. These conversations have been essential in raising awareness of our services and, perhaps more importantly, ensuring that youth and families know they have access to advocates. 

We have also quickly learned to be creative in how we approach cases. Particularly in education matters, we have embraced virtual participation to ensure that distance does not become a barrier to representation. Whether joining ARC meetings remotely or coordinating with families and school districts, we have prioritized flexibility so that where a child lives does not automatically preclude the representation that can remove barriers to a young person’s health, safety, and success. One parent in a rural county told us, “I’ve been fighting so hard to get my children the supports they deserve, but when you got involved it was a game-changer.” 

That groundwork is already producing meaningful results. In just six months, the Lexington office has served clients in 27 Kentucky counties. We have supported families in highly populated counties such as Fayette and Jefferson, while also serving youth in rural counties such as Bath, Ballard, Caldwell, and Pike. These efforts have reached a total of 134 youth, expanding CLC’s impact deeper into the Commonwealth than ever before, particularly in communities where legal resources are limited and where a single advocate can make a transformative difference. 

Stories demonstrating the impact 

One young person in a rural county had gone through the entire school year without a clear understanding of how to access the educational assistance they needed. When the student was referred to us, the whole family shared that they felt lost and unsure how to navigate the system or who to ask for help. We intervened quickly, coordinated with the district, and ensured the student received the services and supports they were entitled to. It was a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful change begins with simply showing up and listening. 

Another young person first came to CLC through a protection order case, where we were appointed as guardian ad litem to help ensure their voice and best interests were represented. As we got to know the youth and family, it became clear that the challenges they were facing extended beyond the courtroom. The student had experienced significant disruptions in school and was struggling to access appropriate supports. Because we had already established trust with the family, we were able to continue our advocacy after the court matter concluded, assisting with school meetings, communicating with district personnel, and helping secure services tailored to the student’s needs. What began as representation in the courtroom evolved into a broader effort to promote the young person’s long-term stability and success, demonstrating how legal advocacy can open the door to support in other critical areas of a child’s life. 

Another parent told us, "Kim and Tiffanie have been the best! I am so grateful for the hard work, time and patience they dedicated to helping me get a better result than I expected for my son.”

Plans for continued growth 

As our work has expanded, so has our team. We are thrilled to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Louisville’s Helmers+Associates, specifically Melina Hettiaratchi, to collaborate on certain education law cases arising in Jefferson, Nelson, Hardin, Oldham, and Bullitt Counties. Tiffanie and I have also been delighted to add Corye Parrish, a rising 2L at the University of Kentucky, and Minhal Nazeer, a rising junior at Georgetown University to our ranks this summer. Their energy, curiosity, and commitment to public interest work have already strengthened our capacity to serve youth across the Commonwealth. We’re excited, too, to fulfill the promise we made at the beginning of 2026: to hire a third person in Lexington, marking the largest team we’ve ever had to invest specifically in Central Kentucky and beyond. We are looking forward to student externs joining us in the fall to support further expansion and reach. 

As I reflect on these first six months, I am continually reminded why this work matters to me. I grew up in rural Rowan County in a family with limited financial resources, and I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to overcome socioeconomic and other barriers. However, my mother, a social worker who served families in Eastern Kentucky, instilled in me a belief that the path to a stable future starts with education and, in pursuing this future, children deserve our support. As a classroom teacher and coach, I witnessed the profound difference that caring adults can make in a young person’s life when they feel seen, heard, and supported. Those experiences continue to inspire my work at CLC and shape my vision for the Lexington office. While building a new regional presence has come with challenges, it has also reinforced my belief that geography should never determine a child’s access to justice or opportunity. I am excited about the future of the Lexington office and the opportunity to expand our reach, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that more young people across Kentucky have someone in their corner when they need it most. 

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Author: Kim Reeder joined the Children’s Law Center in December 2025 as the Director of the Lexington office. With nearly two decades of experience in large law and accounting firms, Kim shifted her professional focus in 2017 toward teaching and coaching. She has taught a range of subjects in Rowan County, Covington, and through the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program. In addition to her teaching, Kim coached the Rowan County Senior High School speech and debate team to multiple state championships and dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours helping students craft and refine college application and scholarship essays. Before joining CLC, she served as Practice Operations Director for Baker McKenzie’s global Tax Practice group in Washington, D.C.

Kim holds a joint J.D./M.P.P. from the University of North Carolina and Duke University, as well as a B.A. from Yale University.

Children’s Law Center, Inc. Names New Lexington Office Team

Kim Reeder, Director, Lexington Office (left)

Tiffanie Tagaloa, Attorney, (right)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      

CONTACT: Sydney Pepper Ballachino, Director of Advancement

spepper@childrenslawky.org | (859) 431-3313 x 157

LEXINGTON, KY – Children’s Law Center (CLC), a nonprofit law firm providing legal representation and policy advocacy for youth in Kentucky and Ohio, has expanded its Lexington presence with two new hires: Kimberley Reeder as Director of the Lexington Office and Tiffanie Tagaloa as Staff Attorney.

“Kim’s longstanding experience in law and education—combined with her passion for being a changemaker for Kentucky’s kids—make her the ideal leader to deepen CLC’s impact in central Kentucky and beyond,” said Sasha Naiman, CLC Executive Director. “Together, Kim and Tiffanie bring strong legal skills and demonstrated success at building partnerships. I am confident they’ll help refine CLC’s strategic vision for serving children and families across the Commonwealth.”

Reeder, who is from Morehead, KY, brings nearly two decades of experience in legal practice and professional leadership, along with extensive work teaching and mentoring students in Kentucky. She previously served as Practice Operations Director for Baker McKenzie’s global Tax Practice in Washington, D.C, where she was elevated to partner and argued cases before the Iowa Supreme Court and California First District Court of Appeal. She has also taught in Rowan County and Covington schools and with the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program. She holds a joint J.D./M.P.P. from the University of North Carolina and Duke University and a B.A. from Yale University.

Reeder is joined by Lexington native Tiffanie Tagaloa. Tagaloa earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. During law school, she served as a staff editor on the Kentucky Law Journal, helped indigent clients through an externship at Fayette County Department of Public Advocacy, and supported legal advocacy for underrepresented youth through an internship with the ACLU of Kentucky.

“I’m deeply grateful to join Children’s Law Center and to do work rooted in honoring children’s dignity,” said Reeder. “The Lexington-based team, working with the broader team in Covington, will stand with youth when legal systems fall short. Through direct legal services and policy advocacy, we have an opportunity to build a trusted, lasting presence for vulnerable youth in central Kentucky and in other communities in the Commonwealth."

About Children’s Law Center, Inc.
Children's Law Center, Inc. (CLC) is a nonprofit legal service center that protects the rights of children and youth — so they can grow up in safe, healthy ways. We achieve our mission through direct legal assistance, policy reform, community education, and information & referral.

Established in 1989, CLC offers vital advocacy in the child welfare system, justice system, education system, and beyond. CLC provides services in Kentucky and Ohio, while collaborating with regional and national organizations on youth law and policy.

Learn more about CLC, its programs, and its impact by visiting https://www.childrenslawky.org.

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