Alicia Whatley – Kentucky Youth Advocates

New Suicide Prevention Hotline Coming Soon

New Suicide Prevention Hotline Coming Soon

Mental health support and suicide prevention resources are a critical resource for Kentuckians. Children and their families across the Commonwealth struggled with their mental health well before the isolation and other challenges brought forth by the pandemic. Coming in July, a new three-digit number for suicide response and mental health crisis care – 988 – will be available across the Commonwealth, and nationwide. July 2022 marks the shift of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-06-29T17:18:44-04:00June 27th, 2022|Blog, Health|

Celebrating Oral Health Month

Celebrating Oral Health Month

As we look forward to all the fun summer activities in June, we are celebrating Oral Health Month and highlighting the importance of treating the whole person with the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, a project of Kentucky Youth Advocates. Caring for our oral health means more than simply brushing and flossing your teeth – an important part! It also means caring for your entire mouth, including your gums, by getting regular check-ups and screenings, and [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-06-07T17:28:47-04:00June 7th, 2022|Blog, Health|

Health Insurance Updates for Kentucky Families

Health Insurance Updates for Kentucky Families

All children, especially those living in low-income and vulnerable families, need access to affordable health care. Having health insurance means children are able to access critical preventive and ongoing care needed to stay healthy. It means that kids can visit the doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and mental health professionals to support their healthy development. A parent’s health—and health insurance status—affects the health and well-being of other family members, especially their children. When parents are insured, they [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-06-01T17:02:04-04:00June 1st, 2022|Blog, Health|

Continued Advocacy Needed to Curb Youth Vaping

Continued Advocacy Needed to Curb Youth Vaping

Throughout the 2022 General Assembly, Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) advocated for policies that are good for Kentuckians’ health, including measures aimed at preventing youth tobacco and e-cigarette use. We know that more than 1 in 4 Kentucky high schoolers use e-cigarettes and the instances of youth using tobacco products has spread into many Kentucky middle schools. These products pose a number of health risks and ultimately lead to many Kentuckians dying prematurely. New research adds [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-04-20T13:58:27-04:00April 20th, 2022|Blog, Health|

Children’s Dental Health Month & Policies for Good Oral Health

Children’s Dental Health Month & Policies for Good Oral Health

This blog was originally posted by the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition. As the Kentucky legislature considers hundreds of bills and prioritizes investments in the next biennial state budget, it’s imperative that we as a Commonwealth ensure that all Kentuckians, including our youngest, have access to the support they need for their healthy development – and a healthy mouth. We know that health impacts every aspect of a child’s life and is a key component of [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-02-24T14:50:57-05:00February 24th, 2022|Blog, Health|

Efforts to “Nix the Next” Generation from Becoming Addicted to Nicotine

Efforts to “Nix the Next” Generation from Becoming Addicted to Nicotine

Building strong families and communities is the key to unlocking the potential of our next generation. Unfortunately, Kentucky has the second highest percentage of adult smokers and is among the highest in the nation for youth who use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. We know that investing in prevention and cessation is an important step to reduce these rates, improve Kentucky’s health outcomes, and save Kentucky health care costs by averting tobacco related illnesses, [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-10-28T09:19:46-04:00October 20th, 2021|Blog, Health|

September is Hunger Awareness Month and We Need Your Voice

September is Hunger Awareness Month and We Need Your Voice

As we continue to navigate the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity remains a challenge that many Americans are facing. September is Hunger Awareness Month, offering a chance to reflect on the hunger rates among children and their families, and explore the opportunities for policy changes that will support all Americans in accessing healthy food for their families. Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting weekly data on food security through their Household [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-09-21T17:51:32-04:00September 21st, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

Child Care Centers: Safe Spaces for Children to Grow, Learn, Play, and Thrive

Child Care Centers: Safe Spaces for Children to Grow, Learn, Play, and Thrive

We know that for many children summer brings changes to daily routines formed during the school year, including how children spend their free time and their food and drink choices throughout the day. But licensed child care centers continue to provide a safe, structured environment for children when they are out of school and new regulations took effect this month that codified Senate Bill 45, passed during the 2020 legislative session. SB 45 ensures all [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-06-30T14:22:44-04:00June 21st, 2021|Blog, Education, Health|

Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids in Louisville

Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids in Louisville

In partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, Kentucky Youth Advocates hosted a virtual behavioral health summit on May 11th. The Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids summit brought together over one hundred youth, parents, and professionals from various sectors including educators, mental health professionals, legislators, juvenile justice system staff, child advocates, child welfare system representatives, Kentucky’s philanthropic community, and more. The event featured a data presentation on the recent research conducted by KYA and supplemental data from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) providing context to [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-05-18T16:24:54-04:00May 18th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

The recent announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the process of banning all menthol flavoring in cigarettes and cigars is a huge step in reducing youth and young adult tobacco addiction, addressing health equity, and improving health outcomes. This announcement ensures that the FDA’s next steps will be establishing rules and an opportunity for public comment on the ban of menthol flavoring in cigarettes and all flavoring in cigars within the [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-02-07T11:53:07-05:00May 6th, 2021|Blog, Health, Race Equity|

ACTION ALERTS!

About Alicia Whatley