In July 1996, the Lexington Child Abuse Council and the Women's Center of Central Kentucky merged to form the Center for Women, Children, and Families. CWCF is a non-profit social service agency which works to provide assistance for women, children and families who are in crisis through education, support and advocacy.

 In 1973, a group of community volunteers saw the need for services for women in Lexington and formed the Women's Center of Lexington. They incorporated in 1974 and addressed such issues as childcare, female-friendly doctors, resources available to women, and rape. Their focus was on helping women put their lives back together after divorce and on promoting women's issues in general. During this time workshops were provided on self-esteem, assertiveness, and divorce support. In the mid-1980's when the name was changed to the Women's Center of Central Kentucky, Inc. the focus widened to include feminist and lesbian issues. The counseling program was started at this time. Before the merger, the Women's Center primarily addressed substance abuse, self-sufficiency for women, and resources for women.

  The Lexington Child Abuse Council was started in 1975 by volunteers concerned with the issues of child abuse and neglect. Originally named the Citizens Child Abuse Committee, they started Kentucky's first chapter of Parents Anonymous where parents could share problems and receive support from each other and Friends to Families which provided a volunteer to work with a family to provide support and lessen their social isolation. In 1977, the Council incorporated and, in 1978, they opened the Nest, our crisis drop-in day care center. In 1982, the name was changed to Lexington Child Abuse Council to better reflect its growing mission. The LCAC became a United Way Agency in 1983. In 1987, the Council raised money to renovate our present location, Morton House, which allowed expansion of all services.

  The merger of these two agencies has brought together two missions which were meant for each other. Assisting those in crisis goes hand-in-hand with preventing child abuse and neglect. The primary risk factors which lead to child abuse and neglect are issues of crisis. The Nest provides childcare for parents who are stressed or have no support system. The Connections Program helps women link up with resources in the community. The Family WorkAbility program allows women to learn how to balance a family and a career, The counseling programs help parents work on their parenting skills, address issues of child abuse, neglect and victimization, and generally provide help and support to women and their children. With this cohesive set of services under one roof, we can effectively address the needs of women and families who are in crisis.