Statement on KY Senate 2024 State Budget Proposal

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With passage of the biennial state budget proposal by both the Kentucky House and Senate, House Bill 6 as amended will now head into conference committee for negotiations on a final proposal to send to the Governor’s desk. As is often said about budgets – they are more than dollars and cents, they are a value proposition. [...]

Deep Dive on Senate Bill 2 & Its School Safety Measures

Senate Bill 2 of 2024, sponsored by Senator Max Wise, is what can be considered a continuation of the work he championed with the late Representative John “Bam” Carney in 2019 with the Kentucky School Safety and Resiliency Act. The work catalyzed by the tragedy at Marshall County High School in January 2018.  The challenges of ensuring the physical and emotional security for both our students and educational staff call for innovative and comprehensive solutions.  [...]

By |2024-03-13T11:59:18-04:00March 13th, 2024|Blog, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

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|

The Echoes of Youth Chants and Energy Goes Beyond Children’s Advocacy Day

By Leah Wade, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol is when people across the Commonwealth come together to lift up a united voice for Kentucky’s children. A highlight of the day always includes the presence of youth-serving organizations and school groups. This year, nearly 300 youth took the time to speak on behalf of themselves and their peers. Kentucky Youth Advocates wanted to briefly highlight how groups had an [...]

CAW 2024 Retreat: Empowering Kentucky’s Youth to Light the Way

Two weeks ago, Frankfort became a buzzing hub of youthful energy and advocacy as over thirty dynamic young individuals from every corner of the Commonwealth convened for Kentucky Youth Advocates' annual youth retreat. This gathering, held on the eve of Children’s Advocacy Day, was not just any retreat – it was a vibrant confluence of minds eager to shape the future. Groups including KYA’s Health Youth Ambassadors, REFORM Louisville, True Up, and YouthBuild Louisville [...]

Governor Beshear and House and Senate Leadership Join Hundreds of Youth and Advocates for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Frankfort, KY – With the 2024 Kentucky legislative session well underway in Frankfort, advocates across the Commonwealth are joining together to lift kids’ voices during Children’s Advocacy Week. They are advocating for the state budget and policy priorities addressed in the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children to elected leaders.  Today is Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, where community organizations, professionals who work with kids and families, and young people from [...]

REFORM Louisville: Using My Voice at the Kentucky Capitol

By Leondrea Johnson Last year, I attended Children's Advocacy Day for the first time. I am part of the REFORM Louisville team, and we were making plans for going. All the preparation work made me feel a little nervous about talking with legislators.  Walking into the Capitol building on the morning of Children’s Advocacy Day, it was a little overwhelming. There were so many people in line to go through security. But I was excited [...]

By |2024-01-18T08:43:43-05:00January 18th, 2024|Blog, Justice, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Statement on the Kentucky House 2024 State Budget Proposal

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As is the case in every proposed budget, there is much to celebrate and also issues of deep concern when it comes to the Kentucky House 2024 State Budget proposal. This budget certainly places a priority on infrastructure issues like bridges, roads, and water supply, and who can argue with any of those commitments? However, this budget [...]

Children’s Advocacy Week 2024 Updates

By Leah Wade, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  With the new year officially here, it is time for an update on Children’s Advocacy Week 2024. Children’s Advocacy Week will take place January 22-26th and we wanted to provide the schedule and reminders for the week to assist you in lifting your voice for Kentucky’s children. Again, this year, we will host both in-person and virtual events. You can find a schedule of the events with [...]

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