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About Hannah Edelen

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So far Hannah Edelen has created 50 blog entries.

Where the Session Leaves Us & Where Advocates Go Next – A Recap on Bloom Kentucky’s 2026 Priorities

It is always a bittersweet moment when the gavel drops on day 60 for the Kentucky General Assembly. Both advocates and legislators alike closed the chapter on a season where debates were had, hearts were opened, and policies passed.  While the session may come to a close, the work of Bloom Kentucky continues as we work to advance policies and budgetary investments that create the conditions that shape the environments where children and [...]

By |2026-04-28T15:03:34-04:00April 28th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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Common Ground for Kids: Addressing Addictive Platforms

Whether “right” or “left”, state legislators are acknowledging the role and impact of social media on youth. House Bill 227, sponsored by Representative Lockett with cosponsors growing each day, creates some guardrails for social media companies. This legislation specifically requires age verification procedures, prohibits specific “addictive features,” and sets privacy setting requirements and parental rights around account management. It also authorizes the Attorney General to bring forth action on behalf of Kentuckians where appropriate.  As [...]

By |2026-03-26T10:06:26-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: The ACE Project

By E'Lesha Toomer, Program Director of The ACE Project As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in our communities. We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work of The ACE Project!  The ACE Project (Acting Compassionate Everyday) is a youth and family centered organization committed to prevention, empowerment, and long-term community impact. Based in Louisville, their mission is to provide youth [...]

By |2026-02-18T15:01:14-05:00February 18th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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Hoosiers & Touchdowns for Kids – The Bloom Agenda in the “First Quarter”

We’re officially about a quarter of the way through the 60-day session and Bloom Kentucky is proud to share that 4 of our 5 policy priorities from the 2026 agenda have been filed. Like the Indiana Hoosier’s recent historic win, Kentucky legislators have an opportunity to make history for kids this session if they can come together and work as a team for kids and families.  Bloom’s agenda is gaining momentum, and like the game [...]

By |2026-02-05T13:50:06-05:00January 27th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Health|
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Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Ohio County United for Youth

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in our communities. We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work of Ohio County United for Youth. Ohio County United for Youth is an organization led by young people in partnership with adult volunteers in Ohio County, Kentucky. Their work is guided by the Developmental Assets Framework, which “identifies 40 research-based positive experiences that [...]

By |2026-01-13T12:30:14-05:00January 13th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|
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Time-Balls & Bloom Kentucky: 2025 in Review

Every New Year’s Eve, millions watch as the iconic Times Square ball drops. What many don’t know is that the “ball-drop” has historic roots dating back to the 1830s where the first “time-ball” was installed atop England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich to help captains of nearby ships set their chronometers for navigation. As the ball drops for 2025 and signals our entry in 2026, I cannot help but reflect on Bloom Kentucky’s major milestones from [...]

By |2025-12-19T12:47:51-05:00December 19th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|
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Cultivating Hope: KYOAAC’s Latest Funding Opportunities

What does it mean to cultivate? Merriam-Webster dictionary describes this term as “to prepare for raising of crops”, “to foster the growth of”, “ to improve by labor, care, or study”, “further, encourage”. Like a farmer may prepare for raising crops to produce a strong yield, we believe that the state’s opioid settlement funds should be invested to produce strong yields for kids and families across the Commonwealth to mitigate the impacts of the [...]

By |2025-12-17T09:37:43-05:00November 25th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|
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Social Media Lawsuits, Mental Health, and the Role of Policymakers

Youth mental health issues are at an all time high— youth advocates, school districts, parents, and even the Surgeon General alike are elevating youth mental health as a vital issue due to the long-term impacts on physical health, success in school, and future of the community. Many are lifting up the role of social media companies and their platforms in adversely impacting youth.  Social Media Lawsuits  A major multi-district litigation (MDL 3047) is currently moving [...]

By |2025-12-17T09:35:27-05:00October 6th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|
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Harlan County Poke Sallet Festival – Serving up Positive Childhood Experiences

For over 70 years, Harlan County has been hosting the annual Poke Sallet Festival. What started as an idea after a dinner featuring poke sallet is now a robust community tradition that brings families and friends together year after year every summer. Not sure what poke sallet is? It’s a southern delicacy – also called a “forager’s delight”.  This festival offers a wide range of events: singing competitions, a “Run for the Hills 5K”, pet [...]

By |2025-12-17T09:34:35-05:00September 30th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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What are Child Impact Statements and How Does it Impact Policy Change?

What are Impact Statements? Impact statements are used by local, state, and federal agencies and branches of government to assess implications of proposed legislation, administrative procedures, cases, amongst other decisions. Impact statements can cover topics such as  criminal justice, environment, higher education, poverty, open government, amongst other areas of focus.  Most widely known are fiscal impact statements which examine budget implications and may include information related to estimated costs and potential savings of a proposed [...]

By |2025-08-19T12:51:51-04:00August 19th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice|
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