Help for trafficking survivors in Kentucky
We've found 8 places in Kentucky for people leaving trafficking, mostly in Louisville, Covington and Lexington, and 4 that serve the whole state. Our volunteers haven't confirmed these yet, so a quick call ahead is worth it. Most of them help with safety & protection (4), shelter & housing (4) and legal help (4).
Places in Kentucky
Bakhita Empowerment Initiative
Case management for survivors of sex and labor trafficking of any age, background or gender, connecting them to shelter, legal aid, mental health care and life planning. The initiative also opened St. Anne's House, four independent housing units survivors can use for up to a year.
Metro United Way 2-1-1
Free, confidential information and referral line for Louisville and surrounding Kentucky counties. Operators look up food, shelter, utility help, treatment and other local services and connect callers in more than 100 languages.
DCBS Family Support — SNAP, Medicaid and KTAP
Kentucky's public benefits office for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, KTAP cash assistance and the Kentucky Works program. Apply online through the kynect benefits portal, by phone, or in person at the DCBS office in any of the 120 counties; documents can be uploaded to kynect or mailed to Frankfort.
Office of Vital Statistics
Issues certified Kentucky birth certificates, which most people need before they can get a state ID. Order online through VitalChek (the only authorized vendor, with next-day and in-person pickup options), by mail, or in person at the Frankfort office or its drop box; a photo ID is required to pick up an online order.
Driver Licensing Regional Offices (State ID and REAL ID)
All Kentucky driver licenses and ID cards are issued at state-run Driver Licensing Regional Offices, not county clerks. New or REAL ID credentials must be done in person by appointment; standard renewals and replacements can be done by mail. Use the DLRO map on drive.ky.gov to find the nearest office.
The Center for Women and Families
Regional domestic and sexual violence program for Louisville and six surrounding Kentucky counties plus Floyd and Clark counties in Indiana. Advocates answer around the clock and can arrange emergency shelter, forensic exams, legal and medical advocacy, counseling, support groups and foster care for survivors' pets.
The Ion Center for Violence Prevention
Northern Kentucky's program for victim-survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse and stalking across Boone, Campbell, Kenton and five neighboring counties. Help is free and confidential by 24-hour phone line, live web chat, or weekday walk-in; a separate line serves the Buffalo Trace counties.
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
Free civil legal services for people at or near poverty in 33 counties including Fayette, Kenton, Boone and Campbell, from offices in Lexington, Covington, Morehead and Ashland. Handles protective orders, expungement to remove barriers to work and housing, evictions, SSI, SNAP and Medicaid appeals, and U-Visa and T-Visa immigration cases.
National lines that work in Kentucky
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.