Smoke-Free Kentucky is going on a road trip and we will be making stops across the state on our way to the annual Fancy Farm Picnic. A special Smoke-Free Kentucky van will be decked out and crossing the commonwealth Monday, July 28, through Saturday, August 2. 2015 is the year to pass a comprehensive, smoke-free workplace law! If you agree, please meet us at the van to tell your personal story about why Kentucky should be smoke-free. [...]
Please join First Focus in an upcoming webinar: Ending Family Homelessness Webinar: Identifying Effective Interventions Wednesday, June 18th 2pm EST – 3pm EST Headlines are filled with indicators that our economy is improving, but the effects of the Great Recession continue to linger for millions of homeless children and families, with over 1.1 million children identified as homeless in the 2011-2012 school year. In order to end child and family homelessness in the United States, policies [...]
Guest blog by Elizabeth Roney The DentaQuest Foundation held a south/southeast regional oral health convening in Nashville from May 21st through the 23rd. Professionals ranging from dentists to advocates from 13 southern states connected to create a regional network, discuss how to build an oral health movement and work together to align goals with the Oral Health 2020 vision. Nashville’s laid-back feel and the unconventional meeting facilitation methods allowed a student, like myself, to confidently [...]
Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org 502-381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY – A new issue brief from Kentucky Youth Advocates, Integrated Health Care Benefits Kentucky's Children, examines the advantages of integrated health care as a way to improve the health of children in the state. In Kentucky, too many children struggle with poor health or have special health care needs. Kentucky’s health care system has undergone many changes in recent years. As these changes continue to be implemented, it [...]
Economic security means a family is able to meet financial needs in a way that promotes their children’s well-being by addressing their physical, emotional, and educational needs. All children deserve to have these needs met, yet many parents require temporary help to do so. Whether due to unemployment or underemployment triggered by the recent recession, low wages, or a family crisis, parents seek help in meeting their children’s basic needs from programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called food stamps) or the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP, formerly called [...]
By: Rebecca Ghent, 2013-2014 KYA Intern Every child in this state should have a chance to succeed. A lot of people are committed to making that idea a reality. As a social work student, I have had the opportunity to see the varied efforts of many people hard at work. I have seen it in people working in schools, in lawyers working with refugees and immigrants, and now at Kentucky Youth Advocates. I have met [...]
Health impacts almost every aspect of a child’s well-being. When children have access to quality health care, they are one step closer to developing into happy, healthy, successful adults. Health insurance coverage is a key component of ensuring children can receive the care they need. While Kentucky leaders have a done a great job increasing the number of children with health insurance coverage, some children still lack insurance. A lack of health insurance can make [...]
Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org (502)381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY - Today, the House passed SB 200 - a significant piece of legislation to move Kentucky forward on doing what works in juvenile justice and to use taxpayer dollars more wisely. SB 200 will achieve better outcomes for children and their families by only using incarceration and out-of-home placements when necessary. Research shows kids can often be more effectively served in the community. We commend Representative Tilley and Senator Westerfield for their [...]
Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org (502) 381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY - We celebrate today’s passage of SB 176 by the Kentucky House sponsored by Senator Denise Harper Angel. This important bill for kinship families has now passed both chambers and should soon head to the Governor for his signature. SB 176 affirms the importance Kentuckians place on family values. It ensures that the 59,000 children in Kentucky being raised by grandparents and other relatives can access fundamental services like health [...]
