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About Alicia Whatley

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So far Alicia Whatley has created 55 blog entries.

Celebrating Children’s Dental Health Month

Along with bringing a first glimpse of warmer temperatures, February is also the time to spread awareness about National Children’s Dental Health Month. Every child deserves a healthy smile so they can talk, eat, and learn without pain. In Kentucky, limited access to oral health care creates a barrier for many kids and families to achieve optimal outcomes. Recent data shows that despite high rates of health insurance coverage among Kentucky kids, less than half [...]

By |2026-02-11T11:03:26-05:00February 11th, 2026|Blog, Health|
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What’s Coming Next with the State Budget and How to Take Action

Updated March 20, 2026 With just ten working days to go in the 2026 legislative session, the state budget process is nearing its conclusion. As we detailed in early January, the General Assembly spent a bulk of the legislative time in 2026 crafting a two-year state budget that will be complete before the final gavel on April 15th.  What’s Already Happened? So far, the Governor released his proposed budget during the State of the Commonwealth [...]

By |2026-03-20T15:35:31-04:00February 3rd, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health|
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Building Kentucky’s Budget: Implications of Federal Actions and State Taskforces

The 2026 state legislative session is underway and lawmakers have been busy in Frankfort filing more than 350 bills in the first week. Among the bills that remain to be seen is the budget bill that will detail legislative proposals for the state’s next two year operating budget. Originating in the House, this bill will see several rounds of revisions over the next two months before final passage by April 15th.  Governor Beshear kicked off [...]

By |2026-01-14T16:01:59-05:00January 14th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, Medicaid|
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Budget Session and Advocating for Kids

As the interim legislative session winds down and Kentuckians begin settling in for the holidays, the 2026 General Assembly is right around the corner. Like every even year in the Commonwealth, 2026 will bring a long legislative session that includes the passing of a new two-year state budget.  Legislators will return to Frankfort on Tuesday, January 6th to kick off the 60 day session that will charge Kentucky legislators with considering proposed bills and crafting [...]

By |2025-12-17T09:38:25-05:00December 1st, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Youth Justice|
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The State of Youth Vaping and Strategies to Address the Epidemic

Kentucky kids need environments that support their health and wellbeing - a goal that can be supported by policy and budget investments. As the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative continues to explore ways to improve child health outcomes, a recent statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighted the dangers of youth vaping - an epidemic that continues to impact teens across Kentucky.  This week, in addition to their stated focus [...]

By |2025-11-06T11:52:08-05:00November 6th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

As summer winds down in Kentucky, state leaders in Frankfort are already preparing for the 2026 biennial budget session. Shortly after the 2025 legislative session concluded, lawmakers were back in action convening interim joint committees with members of both the House and Senate. The interim legislative session spanning June to December serves as an opportunity for legislators to hear presentations from various state offices on current data and program outcomes, budget requests for the next [...]

By |2025-10-07T16:04:38-04:00September 3rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid|
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The Time Is Now: Investing in Youth Nicotine Prevention and Cessation

August is in full swing, and with it comes the start of a new school year in Kentucky. As in previous years, new trends and persistent concerns among Kentucky kids are making headlines. One issue that continues to raise alarms in schools across the Commonwealth is nicotine dependence among students.  While the conversation around youth nicotine use is not new, the landscape has shifted significantly over the last year. Some recent changes include:   Kentucky [...]

By |2025-08-20T16:46:07-04:00August 20th, 2025|Blog, Health|
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Support the Health of All Kentucky Kids by Ensuring Up-to-Date Childhood Immunizations

As we welcome August, kids and families across the state are gearing up for another school year and a long list of last minute to-dos. Along with school supply shopping and soaking up the last days of summer, back to school is the perfect time to make sure your child is up to date on routine childhood immunizations. August not only welcomes students back to the classroom, it is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness [...]

By |2025-08-06T11:26:36-04:00August 6th, 2025|Blog, Health|
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From Barbecues to Budget Cuts: How the New Federal Budget Impacts Families in Kentucky

This is part of Kentucky Youth Advocates’ series on the federal landscape and the impacts on Kentucky children and families.  Along with barbecues and fireworks, the 4th of July also brought a new federal budget signed into law. Although the reconciliation package saw several versions before final passage, many of the programs we have highlighted throughout the Summer will see significant changes under the new law.   Among the largest cuts in the program's history are [...]

By |2025-07-16T13:28:48-04:00July 16th, 2025|Blog, Health, Medicaid|
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June is Oral Health Month: Building Awareness of Positive Oral Health Habits and Outcomes  

As Kentuckians across the state welcome warmer weather and summer break, KYA is also taking time to celebrate Oral Health Month throughout June. Oral Health Month is a time to recognize the importance of oral health and build awareness of positive oral health habits and outcomes.    This means not only engaging in positive oral health behaviors like daily brushing and flossing, and regularly visiting a dentist, but also understanding trends and advocating for policies that [...]

By |2025-06-16T16:29:50-04:00June 16th, 2025|Blog, Health|
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