Contact:
Andrea Bennett
502-381-1176
abennett@kyyouth.org

Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

We thank Senator Whitney Westerfield for bringing forward SB 270 with the goal of utilizing data to promote equitable treatment of our youth of color. SB 270 ensures that all systems who care for our youth – education, child welfare, and youth justice – will collect and report race, age, and gender specific data across these systems.  Much work has already begun within these state agencies who serve children to facilitate awareness of disparate treatment for youth of color. SB 270 will formalize the process and ensure regular data sharing, which can then create a path for continued collaboration between these youth serving systems as they look at internal and cross-sector practices to protect against disparate treatment. We appreciate the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing the bill today and look forward to the bill moving forward on the Senate floor.

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