Kosair for Kids, Elected Officials, and Community Partners in the Face It Movement Recognize October 4th as TEN-4 Awareness Day 2023

This October 4th, the Kosair for Kids® Face It® Movement is once again bringing awareness to the critically important TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule, the technique to recognize concerning bruising on young children, and emphasizing the importance of training adults on recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse.

"The Kosair for Kids Face It Movement aims to bring attention to this vital child abuse recognition tool annually on October 4. Everyone in the Commonwealth has a role to play in keeping our kids safe, and one such role is to know what bruises to look for on children. Understanding the red flags of child abuse can make all the difference in getting a child and family connected to services and ensuring that maltreatment does not escalate," said Barry Dunn, president and CEO of Kosair for Kids.

At the event to recognize TEN-4 Day and statewide efforts to prevent and end child abuse in the Commonwealth, participants heard remarks from Dr. Melissa Currie, an early HeadStart educator with WesKids Child Development Center, and Liz Renner, whose son was severely abused by a caregiver resulting in one of Kentucky's Child Abuse Pediatricians identifying it as a case of pediatric abusive head trauma.

"Colton's story is not one that any child or parent should experience. The only way to move forward is to support prevention efforts like Face It and to encourage families to have open and honest communication with potential caregivers. By sharing resources and letting parents and caregivers know that they are not alone when they feel overwhelmed, kids can grow up safe and healthy," said Liz Renner of Madison County.

"As child care providers, we have the unique opportunity to interact with families face-to-face nearly every day in our classrooms. We notice changes in the behaviors of the kiddos in our care and when parents seem extra stressed or isolated. So we know how important it is to be trained on recognizing abnormal bruising and how to communicate our concerns to parents and make reports as mandated," said Bethany Mattingly, WesKids CDC Director, Wesley House Community Services.

Kentucky has nearly double the national rate of substantiated child victims of abuse under age one. The TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule is an easy-to-remember tool that outlines suspicious bruising on young children, especially on babies four months or younger, that is concerning and should considered as red flags for abuse. Check out the resource and watch a video at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/f254de00/iEE9T72w9UKaj2XCITBnZg?u=http://www.faceitabuse.org/ten4rule/.

In addition to Wednesday's recognition, the Face It Movement is proud to partner with the following elected leaders who proclaimed Wednesday, October 4th as TEN-4 Awareness Day 2023:

- Governor Andy Beshear

- Attorney General Daniel Cameron

- Boone County Judge Executive Gary W. Moore

- Mayor of Bowling Green Todd Alcott and Warren County Officials

- Campbell County Judge Executive Steve Pendery

- Daviess County Judge Executive Al Mattingly

- Floyd County Judge Executive Robbie Williams

- Johnson County Judge Executive Mark Mckenzie

- Kenton County Judge Executive Kris Knochelmann

- Mayor of Lexington Linda Gorton

- Mayor of Louisville Craig Greenberg

- Mayor of Manchester Steve Collins

- Magoffin County Judge Executive Matthew Wireman

- Paintsville Mayor Bill Mike Runyon

- Pike County Judge Executive Ray S. Jones II

- Mayor of Prestonsburg Les Stapleton

With partners at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Mass General Brigham in Boston, TEN-4 Day 2023 is also recognized by the Governors in Illinois, Massachusetts, and a growing list of other states.

The Face It Movement and Kentucky's child abuse pediatricians and experts at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are training community members in honor of TEN-4 Day throughout the week of October 4th. Hundreds of social workers, health and oral health professionals, educators, first responders, and other concerned adults are registered to be trained on the TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule and Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, among other child abuse prevention and recognition techniques.

"Abusive head trauma continues to be the leading cause of death due to child physical abuse in the Commonwealth. Professionals, especially those who work with families, and other caring adults can play a role in preventing these deadly injuries by learning to recognize early signs of abuse. The TEN-4-FACES-P bruising rule is a critical resource that aids in early identification of abuse in young, vulnerable children before serious harm occurs," said Dr. Melissa Currie, Child Abuse Pediatrician with the Kosair for Kids Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

"While there has been a notable improvement in child maltreatment rates, the Commonwealth still ranks within the top 10 states for incidents of abuse and neglect. That is why we are proud to have elected leaders acknowledging the importance of tools like TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule. We are also thankful for community partners like Community Coordinated Child Care as child care providers are key in recognizing signs of abuse and when parents may be struggling and need some extra support," said Dr. Shannon Moody, Chief Policy & Strategy Officer of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

The Face It Movement and its nearly 150 community partners located across the Commonwealth are committed to ensuring parents and caregivers, along with others in the community, have the tools and knowledge needed to recognize child maltreatment and to support families so abuse can be prevented from ever happening.

View the brochure on the TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule at faceitabuse.org/ten4rule/. Register to attend an upcoming training—with free CEUs—at faceitabuse.org. If you suspect child abuse, make a report to Child Protective Services at 1-877-KYSAFE1.