Andrea Bennett, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

Some 8,700 families per month face losing child care assistance starting Monday, July 1

Some 8,700 families per month face losing child care assistance starting Monday, July 1

Advocates organize State Call-In Day to speak out against the cuts to children's programs On Monday, July 1, the state is set to reduce the income eligibility for families to receive child care assistance from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 100 percent of the federal poverty level, making Kentucky’s eligibility rate the lowest in the nation. According to state estimates, these cuts will immediately cause 8,700 families to lose child care assistance [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-06-27T21:59:36-04:00June 27th, 2013|News Room|

Participate in Statewide Call-In Day on July 1 to restore funds for child care and kinship care

Participate in Statewide Call-In Day on July 1 to restore funds for child care and kinship care

On July 1, major cuts to child care supports go into effect causing 8,700 families to lose child care assistance each month. Helping families pay for child care makes it more likely they can get and keep a job. The state has also stopped new applications for the Kinship Care Program, which provides financial support to non-parental, relative caregivers, like grandparents. Research shows that children who have been abused and neglected experience less trauma when placed [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-06-27T10:52:25-04:00June 27th, 2013|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

Kentucky Ranks 34th in Child Well-Being according to National KIDS COUNT Report

Kentucky Ranks 34th in Child Well-Being according to National KIDS COUNT Report

Jeffersontown, KY – Kentucky ranks 34th in the nation on overall child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The Data Book shows that kids and families in the Commonwealth gained in the areas of education and health, but more and more families are struggling due to poverty and financial insecurity. “The good news is that we are making positive and substantial strides in many areas. The take away question [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-06-24T06:51:34-04:00June 24th, 2013|News Room|

Help update the Kentucky Health Coalitions Directory

Help update the Kentucky Health Coalitions Directory

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is updating the Kentucky Health Coalitions Directory, a list of local groups working on health related issues in the Commonwealth. This is the first revision of the 2012 directory. The Foundation wants to identify additional coalitions and update group contact information. There are 143 active coalitions listed in the Foundation’s current Kentucky Health Coalitions Directory. Some are increasing access to healthy food and physical activity; others are planning needed screenings [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-06-20T13:05:39-04:00June 20th, 2013|Blog, Health|

Cabinet seeks contractors (kynectors) to help expand health benefit coverage to Kentuckians

Cabinet seeks contractors (kynectors) to help expand health benefit coverage to Kentuckians

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Office of the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange (KHBE) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking for-profit and nonprofit entities and community and volunteer organizations to assist consumers who enroll for healthcare benefits through kynect, Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection. Proposals are due on July 3, 2013. KHBE is seeking contractors with experience reaching Kentucky’s diverse populations to assist the Commonwealth in reaching the goal of expanding health benefit coverage [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-06-06T14:44:02-04:00June 6th, 2013|Blog, Health|

Reminder – Upcoming Medicaid Managed Care Forums Hosted by Cabinet

As part of Governor Steve Beshear’s emphasis on enhanced education efforts related to Medicaid managed care, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has scheduled forums for health care providers in each of the eight Medicaid regions during May and June. Senior officials from CHFS will attend the session, including Cabinet Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes, Medicaid Commissioner Lawrence Kissner, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Stephanie Mayfield Gibson and Behavioral Health Commissioner Stephen Hall. The forums [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-05-30T08:34:04-04:00May 30th, 2013|Blog, Health|

Want to Engage Your City in Safe Routes to School? Register for an Upcoming FREE Webinar.

Want to Engage Your City in Safe Routes to School? Register for an Upcoming FREE Webinar.

On Thursday, June 20, from 2-3 p.m. Eastern, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosting a free webinar: Maximizing City Involvement in Safe Routes to School: Educating Municipal Transportation Departments Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2966698222397818112 Municipal transportation departments work to move people safely from one place to the other no matter how they choose to get there. Safe Routes to School practitioners should connect with transportation departments to affect long- and short-term planning and to ensure [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-05-28T10:24:55-04:00May 28th, 2013|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|

Consider Investing Today – Every $1 You Invest in Advocacy Provides a Return of $115 in Community Benefits

Consider Investing Today – Every $1 You Invest in Advocacy Provides a Return of $115 in Community Benefits

A few weeks ago, we met the grandparents pictured left, who have taken on the role of raising their 4-year old grandchild. This scenario of grandparents and relatives raising their kin is becoming more and more common in Kentucky. In fact, estimates suggest there are approximately 63,000 children across the state being cared for by relatives other than their parents. The state recently stopped accepting new applications for the Kinship Care Program which supports people, [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-05-16T11:48:35-04:00May 16th, 2013|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Complete Streets are Safe for Everyone

Complete Streets are Safe for Everyone

Over the past couple of years, I've had the pleasure of working with the Kentucky Heart Foundation and the Ashland Boyd County Health Department as they aim to make streets safer and friendlier to all users of the road. I've been so impressed with how the small communities in this area are stepping up and promoting complete streets. Complete streets involve building and designing roads to accommodate all users, and, in turn, can increase opportunities [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-05-13T10:00:47-04:00May 13th, 2013|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|

Cabinet Hosting Medicaid Managed Care Forums Across KY – Eastern KY Forums this Week!

Governor Beshear has directed the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to initiate enhanced educational efforts to improve the Medicaid managed care implementation system. At the Governor’s request, CHFS will sponsor educational forums in each of the eight Medicaid regions. These forums are designed to allow medical providers, managed care organization (MCO) representatives, and Department of Insurance (DOI) representatives to meet face-to-face to discuss concerns about proper billing, appeals processes and any specific regional [...]

By Andrea Bennett|2013-05-06T09:54:39-04:00May 6th, 2013|Blog, Health|

About Andrea Bennett