(LEXINGTON, Ky.)-(Aug. 22, 2025) – Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall has been appointed to serve on Kentucky’s inaugural Child Support Advisory Council, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday during the final day of the annual Kentucky Prosecutors Conference in Lexington.
Darnall joins nine other County Attorneys from across the Commonwealth in this groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Kentucky’s Department of Child Support Services. The Council was established by Attorney General Coleman through executive order earlier this year.
“We are honored that Attorney General Coleman has recognized Marshall County’s commitment to supporting Kentucky families,” said Darnall. “This Council represents a crucial step forward in ensuring children across our state receive the financial support they deserve.”
The 10-member Advisory Council brings together prosecutors from diverse communities spanning Kentucky’s geography. Attorney General Coleman emphasized the group’s unified mission, stating they “come from counties large and small, from communities in the East to the far West. But they all share a common commitment to serving our kids and strengthening the financial stability of Kentucky families.”
Joining Darnall on the Council are:
- Clay County Attorney Joseph White
- Fayette County Attorney Angela Evans
- Grayson County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon
- Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell
- Kenton County Attorney Stacy Tapke
- Logan County Attorney Joseph Ross
- Madison County Attorney Jennie Haymond
- McCracken County Attorney Cade Foster
- Spencer County Attorney Corey Thomas
The Council will work alongside Amy Burke, who has been named the first-ever Chief of Child Support for the Office of the Attorney General.
Madison County Attorney Jennie Haymond, whose office manages approximately 4,500 cases annually, praised the collaborative approach: “We are so grateful to have a colleague and friend like Attorney General Coleman leading the effort. Everyone on this Council shares a common goal: we want to make things better for Kentucky’s kids.”
Historic Transition
The Advisory Council’s formation follows a significant restructuring of Kentucky’s child support system. In 2023, legislation sponsored by Senator Stephen Meredith (R-Leitchfield) transferred child support functions from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s Office. The transition was completed on July 1 with minimal disruption to services.
The Department of Child Support Services handles substantial caseloads and collections. In the most recent fiscal year, the program managed over 220,000 cases and collected more than $336 million for Kentucky families.
Attorney General Coleman described the Council’s work as a “no fail mission,” underscoring the critical importance of child support services in maintaining family stability across the Commonwealth.
The announcement was made during Friday’s session of the Kentucky Prosecutors Conference, where legal professionals from across the state gathered to discuss best practices and collaborative approaches to serving Kentucky communities.