Contact:
Andrea Bennett
abennett@kyyouth.org
502-381-1176
Today, we applaud the Kentucky House for passing a budget that is a win for kids. The House budget protects several investments for kids that were originally proposed in Governor Beshear’s budget. Of upmost priority is the funding protected in the House budget to restore the Child Care Assistance Program to 150% of the federal poverty level. This funding will help stop the detrimental effects that are occurring as a result of the cuts to this program last year. The House budget also protects funding for the HANDS Program, which will positively impact health and early learning and keep kids safe from abuse and neglect.
Another important item protected in the House budget is funding for the External Child Fatality Review Panel which will improve the effectiveness of the panel to reduce child abuse deaths in Kentucky. In addition, it protects important funding for children’s oral health care. We know budgets require tough choices, and we appreciate that the House included funding for Preschool, even though it was at a lower level than was proposed by the Governor.
When kids succeed, Kentucky’s families, communities, and our economy win. We again thank Governor Beshear for prioritizing children in the Executive budget and the Kentucky House for protecting many of those proposed investments. We now ask our Senators to protect these vital investments for kids as they take up the budget in their chamber.
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