Serving Kentucky

Our People. Our Purpose.

Every day, Kentucky Court of Justice employees and volunteers make a difference in communities across the commonwealth. From helping people navigate the court system to supporting judges, managing case records, ensuring courtroom operations run smoothly and providing essential services behind the scenes, they are committed to delivering fair, accessible and efficient justice.

Serving Kentucky celebrates the dedicated people who make this work possible. Through their stories, you'll discover the people behind the courts, the meaningful work they do and the impact they make every day in service to the citizens of Kentucky.

Official banner of Serving Kentucky with lady justice.

August Spotlights

Meet Kathy Peck

When Kathy heard a radio commercial about the Citizen Foster Care Review Board, it sparked something in her.

With a long history of giving back through various organizations, she saw CFCRB as a meaningful way to continue volunteering, especially in a space that was deeply personal.

“My mom was in foster care and I remember visiting her foster parents when I was a child,” Kathy shared. “I also have a cousin who was placed in foster care when we were children.”

Since joining CFCRB, Kathy has worked on a lot of cases. The most meaningful moments for her are when children are safely reunited with their families.

“When parents use the resources available, make changes and are reunited with their children—those cases stay with me.”

When asked what keeps her going, Kathy doesn’t hesitate. “The children. Someone has to fight for them.”

Join Kathy and help create better outcomes for Kentucky's children and families by volunteering with the CFCRB.

🔗 Learn more at https://kcoj.info/CFCRBVolunteer.

Citizen Foster Care Review Board Spotlights

Meet Cindy Panye

Her years of service have been filled with both challenges and hope. One moment that left a lasting impression on her was when a foster child bravely shared her story at a board meeting, describing how much she loved her foster family. Though she didn’t want to be adopted, the child told the board she just wanted to stay with people who made her feel safe and loved.

“It brought us all to tears,” Cindy recalled.

With deep compassion, Cindy has reviewed countless cases, some difficult, others uplifting.

“Your emotions will be all over the place,” she said, “but as a volunteer, you have the power to influence a child’s future.”

Join Cindy and help create better outcomes for Kentucky's children and families by volunteering with the CFCRB. 🔗 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gPYxBGZZ. Publication date: June 15, 2026

Meet Kathie Harris

Since April 1986, Kathie Harris has been a dedicated member of the Harlan County Citizen Foster Care Review Board.

She first joined while working in the Harlan County school system, after a colleague recognized her passion for supporting children and families in southeastern Kentucky.

With a background in clinical psychology, the mission was a natural fit and it quickly became a lifelong commitment.

“It seems impossible I have volunteered 40 years on the CFCRB in Harlan County, but it has truly been an absolute honor to serve as an advocate for children and families in our area,” Harris said.

We are deeply grateful for her compassion, leadership and the countless hours she has given in service to others. 🔗 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gPYxBGZZ. Publication date: April 22, 2026

Meet Sheila Nukols

When she first signed up to be a Citizen Foster Care Review Board volunteer nearly 20 years ago, she already had a heart for children in care. Whether through fostering or volunteering, she knew she wanted to be part of the solution for kids stuck in limbo.

“It was a learning curve,” she admitted. “But I saw early on how many cases were stuck because there wasn’t a clear direction. I wanted to help change that—not just for the kids in my care, but for others too.” She believes that every volunteer plays an important role in helping the system work.

“Sometimes, you’re just one piece of the pie and that piece matters,” she said. Over the years, she’s seen those small pieces add up to real progress. What once took five years can now happen in two. “That stability makes a big difference in a child’s life.” Reflecting on her years of service, she added, “It’s not for everyone, but if you try it, you might find that you’re exactly the piece that helps a child find stability and a home.”

For Shelia, the most meaningful moments aren’t tied to one case, but to seeing children find permanency, whether through adoption, reunification, or kinship placement. Join Shelia and help create better outcomes for Kentucky's children and families by volunteering with the CFCRB. 🔗 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gPYxBGZZ. Publication date: July 21, 2026

Office of Language Access Spotlights

Meet Geoffrey Ntama

For Geoffrey Ntama, language is more than a means of communication, it’s a bridge to understanding, justice and opportunity. Originally from Rwanda, Geoffrey serves as a court interpreter for the Kentucky Court of Justice, interpreting Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Swahili for individuals navigating legal proceedings.

His work ensures that people facing language barriers can fully understand courtroom proceedings and confidently make their voices heard. Long before stepping into Kentucky courtrooms, Geoffrey was using his language skills to support refugee communities across East Africa and later in the United States. Working with newcomers from diverse backgrounds, he witnessed firsthand how language barriers can limit access to essential services, opportunities and support. Those experiences inspired him to pursue a career in interpreting and advocacy.

Today, Geoffrey brings compassion, professionalism and cultural understanding to every case he interprets. He takes pride in helping individuals participate fully in the legal process, ensuring they can communicate clearly and understand each step along the way. For Geoffrey, interpretation is about more than translating words. It is about empowering people during some of life’s most challenging moments and helping ensure that language is never a barrier to justice. Inspired by Geoffrey’s story? 🔗Discover how you can start your path as a court interpreter at https://lnkd.in/gNHWAMTD. Publication date: July 14, 2026

Meet Kelli Sanchez

Office of Language Access liaison for the Kentucky Court of Justice, whose journey into interpreting began with a simple childhood experience that changed her life. As an elementary school student, Kelli volunteered to spend time with her school’s deaf education classroom, where she learned basic sign language and formed friendships that left a lasting impression. Years later, that connection inspired her to pursue a career in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, a path she now says was “the best decision I could have ever made.”

Today, Kelli helps Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across Kentucky access the court system through communication, advocacy and compassion. From coordinating accommodations statewide to interpreting in courtrooms herself, she works every day to ensure people feel seen, heard and understood during some of the most important moments of their lives.

“One of the greatest honors of this work is being welcomed into people’s lives,” Kelli said. “Whether it’s a courtroom, the birth of a baby or starting a new job, interpreting is a responsibility that must be handled with care, skill and heart.”

More than 20 years after first stepping into a courtroom to observe legal interpreting, Kelli continues to advocate for equal access and meaningful communication for Kentucky’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, demonstrating how one childhood experience can grow into a lifelong purpose. Inspired by Kelli’s story? 🔗Discover how you can start your journey as a court interpreter at https://lnkd.in/gNHWAMTD. Publication date: June 25, 2026.