Kids cannot vote, but you can ensure that their voices are heard by engaging with candidates in local, state, and federal elections. The local, state, and federal leaders we elect determine policy that will impact our daily lives for what may be generations to come. But how often do we pause to consider–specifically–how our choices at the ballot box will impact us, and particularly young children who depend on us to make the right [...]
By Sarah Vanover and Valerie Frost While the first Benefit Cliffs Task Force meeting centered around what other states were doing to address the benefits cliff, as well as what resources were already available in Kentucky, the second meeting reviewed what happens to a family when they lose child care subsidy and the impact of child care to the Kentucky workforce. Kentucky Youth Advocates, in collaboration with Metro United Way and the Prichard Committee, presented [...]
To help prevent and mitigate childhood adversity, many on-the-ground community partners are hard at work providing needed resources and support to Kentucky kids and families. The Bloom Community Spotlight blog series highlights the important work being done by Bloom Kentucky community partners throughout the Commonwealth. By Priscilla McIntosh, The Morton Center, Inc. Louisville, KY Photo Credit: The Morton Center I have two children, 13 and 10-year-old daughters. As a mom, the last two+ [...]
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on August 13, 2022. By Joseph Bargione and Jo Cruz Most children returned to school this week. For many, they return with new backpacks and school supplies. However for some, their backpacks also contain things we can’t readily see – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Traumatic experiences such as abuse, exposure to violence, parental mental health challenges, and negative community events, like the recent flooding and displacement [...]
By Brittani Carlton, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates Thousands of young adults exit foster care, often without the preparation or support they need to succeed in adulthood. With limited resources and services, their paths can lead to homelessness, more trauma, and economic disadvantage. It is imperative to listen to the voices who have endured these experiences and traumas in order to provide advocacy that is relevant to the needs of the individuals in and aging [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 X122 Kentucky Ranks 37th in Child Well-Being with Too Many Children Suffering from Mental Health Pandemic Latest data show 16% of Kentucky kids face anxiety or depression, as effects of the coronavirus crisis linger, Annie E. Casey Foundation finds LOUISVILLE— The latest available data show that as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting Kentucky and the rest of the nation, the Commonwealth was showing progress in some areas of child [...]
Contact: Kelsey Dimar kdimar@kyyouth.org 502-693-5005 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates Louisville, KY – It may not be Derby Day, but the Commonwealth scored a trifecta win today! Kids, families, and our economy – at both local and state levels – won! That big win is a result of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ announcement that families that earn up to 85% of State Median Income ($5,504 for a family of four) are now [...]
By Jordan Ojile, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates June is recognized nationally as Pride Month, a time to celebrate strides made and remaining work in LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing. There have been several unsuccessful drives in recent years to protect Kentucky’s vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. Since 2017, Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky has been at the forefront of education, advocacy, and lobbying efforts across the Commonwealth. During the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, the Youth Mental Health Protection [...]
For immediate release: June 8, 2022 Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Celebrating the Ceremonial Signing of New Legislation to Address Child Abuse in Kentucky Governor Beshear and State Lawmakers Join Kentucky Youth Advocates and Kosair Charities Face It Movement Partners for Ceremonial Signing of SB 8 and HB 263 LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners in the Kosair Charities Face It Movement joined Governor Andy Beshear and state leaders for the ceremonial bill [...]
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader on May 27, 2022. By Tia Humphrey, Lynn Rippy, and Nikki Thornton 1 in 3. 1 in 3 young adults with a foster care experience face housing instability in Kentucky. That’s 1 in 3 young people with their livelihood and potential hanging by a thread, despite resources readily available. How did these young people get to the point of homelessness? In Kentucky, there are [...]
