Katie Okumu, a junior at Berea Community High School opened the 12th annual Children’s Advocacy Day rally on Thursday, January 14 by telling her story of being raised by her grandmother and now her great-grandmother. She talked about how she was one of the lucky ones because these two women in her words “saved us.” Katie ended her remarks by saying: “That is the most important thing we can do as youth; to impact what [...]
Two bills filed in the Kentucky legislature, Senate Bill 60 sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield and House Bill 109 sponsored by Representative Joni Jenkins would permit courts to accommodate a child’s memory of repeated abuse, known as a continuous course of conduct. Here are 3 reasons why SB 60 and HB 109 would better protect child victims of repeated abuse: Currently, Kentucky courts require detailed information for a jury to agree on at least one [...]
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Two Blueprint for Kentucky Children bills progressed through the legislature today with favorable votes from the House Judiciary Committee. Below are statements on each bill from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. “HB 109 sponsored by Representative Joni Jenkins is a key piece of legislation to better protect child victims of repeated abuse. Many children who have experienced repeated abuse over time, referred to as a continuous [...]
2016 is a new year and with it brings the start of the 2016 Kentucky General Assembly. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates and several of our partners are working together to promote Blueprint for Kentucky Children policy solutions that will provide better opportunities for children and families in Kentucky. We hope you will stay in touch with us via our Facebook page, Twitter, and our blog to know how bills impacting children are progressing in the [...]
Two weeks ago, we started asking you – citizens, educators, policymakers, social service workers, Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners, and others – to express your big ideas for kids. We want to build on the success we’ve had in recent years of enacting policies that are good for kids and to continue to make progress as we forge ahead in the next few years. We are looking for Big Ideas that lead to Strategic Actions [...]
The legislature met for three days this week and now takes a break until they come back for a final two days of session on March 23 and 24. Representatives and Senators worked long days this week trying to get several bills through both chambers. We are excited to report that two Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children’s bills made it all the way through the legislative process last night and will now head to the Governor’s desk [...]
Photo credit: capitol.ky.gov Although this was the first week of March, the snow decided to once again arrive in full force, causing the legislature to cancel session on Thursday and Friday. However, some bills did see movement during the three-day week. With only a few days left of the session, several Blueprint bills are just steps away from becoming a reality for Kentucky kids. Now’s the time to make your voice heard and call your [...]
Snow remains on the ground and cold temperatures are sticking around, but the legislature was back in action this week. Two Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children bills progressed in the House: HB 429 to create a strong child care sector in Kentucky through a child care council passed the House Health and Welfare Committee on February 24. It now awaits a vote on the House floor. HB 301 to ensure school personnel receive education on child [...]
Photo credit: capitol.ky.gov Winter decided it wanted to intervene with progress in Frankfort this week and brought a blanket of snow and cold temperatures. We hope everyone out there stayed safe and warm in this extreme weather. Due to the weather, the Kentucky House and Senate both cancelled session Tuesday and Wednesday. (They were already scheduled to be out Monday due to President’s Day.) The House ended up taking off the rest of [...]
Check here for up to date information on important legislation related to the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children during the 2015 Kentucky General Assembly. 1. Protect children from abuse by ensuring educators receive information on child abuse recognition and reporting SB 119 sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams (companion bill to HB 301) Feb 4 - Introduced in the Senate Feb 6 - Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 12 - Passed Senate Judiciary Committee Feb [...]
