Statement on Passage of HB 11 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kids won today in the Kentucky House when members supported passage of House Bill 11, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. As youth vaping continues to be a concern among Kentucky families and communities, this bill takes important steps to reduce youth access and limit initiation of addictive nicotine products. Provisions of this bill will provide a more [...]

By |2024-03-11T17:01:12-04:00March 11th, 2024|Education, Health, News Room|

Slam Dunks for Child Nutrition

If you asked most Kentuckians what March is about, you would probably hear something along the lines of basketball or winning their March Madness bracket. However, there is a lesser-known reason to celebrate in March: National Nutrition Month.  Access to healthy foods is essential for a child to learn, grow, and thrive, yet almost one in six Kentucky kids are experiencing hunger. Many of these children rely on meals served through government programs, such as [...]

By |2024-03-11T11:33:29-04:00March 11th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health|

Statement on Passage of HB 377 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Recruit, retain, quality, qualified. These foci of a strong workforce – especially among our K-12 educator workforce – means a stronger Commonwealth for our kids. We know that the greatest impact on learning for students is having a well-trained educator in the classroom. With Kentucky’s shortage of teachers, it is time to invest in the recruitment and [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 11 by the House Health Services Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Mallory Jones testifying on HB 11 in Frankfort LOUISVILLE, KY – “It is an adult responsibility to protect kids from the harmful effects of nicotine and keep harmful vaping products out of the hands of me and my peers. I live in a smaller town, and I am aware of multiple different places where my peers can purchase [...]

By |2024-03-08T11:44:37-05:00March 7th, 2024|Education, Health, News Room, Youth Justice|

Vaping in Kentucky: Protecting Youth Health Through T-21 Enforcement

In part by Yelena Bagdasaryan, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  In recent years, the prevalence of youth vaping in Kentucky has surged, becoming a pressing issue for our youth that not only jeopardizes physical health but also poses significant risks to mental well-being. Nicotine use has been proven to amplify feelings of anxiety and depression. Students who use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco) are more likely to have lower grades. Young [...]

By |2024-03-05T13:13:29-05:00March 5th, 2024|Blog, Education, Health, Youth Justice|

Guest Post: Let’s Prevent Any More Students from Having a Story Similar to Mine

By Kotomi Yokokura Content Notice: This article contains information about sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and/or violence which may be upsetting to readers. Kotomi testifying on HB 275 to the House Education Committee on January 23, 2024. I was a teenager when the trust I placed in my teacher was manipulated for the educator’s own sexual pleasure. Four years after my experience with educator sexual misconduct and there are still days I am [...]

By |2024-03-08T13:21:54-05:00February 29th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Deep Dive into the Horizons Act and What It Means for Early Childhood Education

As Kentucky approaches the end of the federal fiscal year in September 2024, a potential child care crisis is looming for the entire state. Child care providers have already stopped receiving the sustainability payments that were allowing centers and family child care homes to increase staff wages while still paying their fixed expenses. With the sustainability payments over, child care programs are making tough decisions on whether to reduce wages, increase tuition, or close their [...]

Statement on Passage of SB 2 by the Senate Education Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – The safety of students as they grow into thriving adults has been an increased concern of the General Assembly for several sessions. It is clear that safety must be defined as far more than simply school discipline or a secured facility. We have to make a commitment to building resilience through proven support systems in behavioral and mental health [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 561 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – A strong child care infrastructure will support a strong local workforce and economy. Representative Samara Heavrin’s House Bill 561, passed today by the Kentucky House, supports that notion by permanently establishing the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership (ECCAP) and creating the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program. As supported by the business community and child advocates alike, [...]

By |2024-02-27T15:13:18-05:00February 27th, 2024|Economic Security, Education, News Room|

Statement on Passage of SB 203 by the Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – It’s rare that a piece of legislation has the potential to benefit kids, parents, small businesses, and Kentucky’s workforce and economy – yet Senator Danny Carroll’s Horizons Act would do just that. Today, we are celebrating as the Senate Families and Children Committee ensured that the Horizons Act passed its first step to becoming law. Senate Bill [...]

By |2024-02-27T09:55:12-05:00February 27th, 2024|Economic Security, Education, News Room|
Go to Top