Amy Swann, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

How Do Kentucky’s Current Youth Compare to a Generation Ago?

How Do Kentucky’s Current Youth Compare to a Generation Ago?

The Annie E. Casey Foundation published the first KIDS COUNT Data Book in 1990 to provide a comprehensive picture of American children and their families that was comparable across states. With the release of the 30th edition last month, we’re looking back to see how Kentucky’s current youth are faring compared to those in 1990 (approximately one generation ago). Reviewing a variety of key indicators of child well-being we see areas where Kentucky has [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-07-11T13:07:45-04:00July 11th, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count|

5 Things to Know About the 2019 Census Test

5 Things to Know About the 2019 Census Test

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently conducting a test in preparation for the 2020 Census next year. Your household might be asked to participate in this test, or a participant may turn to you for more information about it. Here is what you should know about the 2019 Census Test: 1. This is just a test – the actual decennial census takes place in 2020. 2. 480,000 households are receiving a questionnaire – half will [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-07-15T12:03:54-04:00July 1st, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid, Youth Justice|

Everyone Has a Role to Play in Preventing Youth Suicide

Everyone Has a Role to Play in Preventing Youth Suicide

Last month we reviewed the latest data on youth suicides, which show suicide as a growing cause of death for Kentucky youth ages 10-14. As we reflect on Mental Health Month we want to provide suicide prevention resources all of us can use throughout the year to stop these tragic deaths. Every single one of us need to know the risk factors and warning signs of suicide and how to tell the difference between normal [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-06-14T13:41:57-04:00June 13th, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: Trends in Youth Suicide

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: Trends in Youth Suicide

In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, we’ve been reviewing the latest data, resources, and efforts to reduce youth suicide in Kentucky. This week’s blog post looks at what we can learn from the data, with next week’s post focused on prevention resources and actions taking place in Kentucky. The last time we blogged on youth suicide, we looked specifically at the deaths of teens ages 15-19. However, it will likely shock you [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-05-10T12:55:37-04:00May 9th, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

2020 Census: The Clock Is Ticking

2020 Census: The Clock Is Ticking

Though Census Day is officially April 1, 2020, most people will receive their first invitation to complete the decennial census next March. This means we have only 12 months left to make sure our state is fully prepared to ensure each Kentucky resident is counted once, only once, and in the right place. If you’ve been reading our blogs on the census you know that mission is easier said than done. While the proverbial clock [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-03-07T16:12:48-04:00March 7th, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|

Apply for the National Juvenile Justice Network’s Youth Justice Leadership Institute

Apply for the National Juvenile Justice Network’s Youth Justice Leadership Institute

As Kentucky continues implementing the juvenile justice reforms passed in 2014 and seeks to build upon that work with additional policy changes during the 2019 Kentucky legislative session, it is imperative that the perspectives and input of people of color are sought and incorporated, as youth of color are over-represented throughout our youth justice system. The Youth Justice Leadership Institute is one opportunity to grow emerging advocates of color into strong leaders who can help fulfill that critical [...]

By Amy Swann|2019-02-28T17:26:06-04:00February 28th, 2019|Blog, Youth Justice|

Census Prep: For the Love of Country

Census Prep: For the Love of Country

Did you know today is Constitution Day? On September 17th of 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia. Most Americans know that this document established the framework of our government and the rights and freedoms that “We the People” enjoy today. A lesser known fact is that the Constitution requires the decennial census that we’ve been blogging about for the past few months. In fact, Article 1, Section [...]

By Amy Swann|2018-09-17T13:59:34-04:00September 17th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|

Step #1 Toward an Accurate Census: Creating Complete Count Committees

Step #1 Toward an Accurate Census: Creating Complete Count Committees

Photo provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation Last month, we blogged on the various ways the data from the decennial census are used and why it is therefore critically important to make sure everyone in Kentucky is counted in the #2020Census. Spring of 2020 may feel far away, but it takes a lot of planning to achieve an accurate count – planning that can’t start soon enough! The single best action [...]

By Amy Swann|2018-09-17T13:48:41-04:00August 23rd, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|

A New Approach for Kentucky KIDS COUNT: Past, Present, Future

A New Approach for Kentucky KIDS COUNT: Past, Present, Future

The dashboard in a car tells us how far we’ve gone (the odometer), what our current situation is (the speedometer) and, in eco-conscious vehicles, how to achieve greater energy efficiency. Similarly, a focus on where we’ve been, where we are now, and how to achieve future improvement guided the creation of the new KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard, which was unveiled with the release of the 2017 County Data Book earlier this month. By providing the [...]

By Amy Swann|2017-11-28T11:03:09-04:00November 28th, 2017|Blog, Kids Count|

Looking Back: 28 Years of the National KIDS COUNT Project

Looking Back: 28 Years of the National KIDS COUNT Project

As Kentucky Youth Advocates celebrates its 40th birthday, we’re looking back at our history and how it has shaped the organization we are today. A big part of KYA’s history is the KIDS COUNT project, begun in 1989 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to strengthen public action on behalf of children and families and promote public accountability for their outcomes. When the Casey Foundation released the first edition of the national KIDS COUNT Data [...]

By Amy Swann|2017-07-19T10:16:40-04:00July 19th, 2017|Blog, Kids Count|

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About Amy Swann