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About Kentucky Youth Advocates

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So far Kentucky Youth Advocates has created 538 blog entries.

Supporting Young Children with Special Needs

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss young children with special needs, including early identification of special needs and how communities, service providers, and policymakers can support these kids and their families. A special thank you to our panelists: Ivy Alexander, Executive Director of CHFS Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs; Judith Bradley, Founder of Jack Be Nimble; and Kristen Williams, Executive Director of Play Cousins Collective. Learn more about [...]

By |2021-06-17T13:45:45-04:00June 18th, 2021|Podcast|
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Actions to Mitigate Food Insecurity in the United States

By Nikky Patel, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates In the past year, many Americans have experienced a lack of access to healthy food and, although food insecurity is not a new issue, we have vividly felt its effect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the federal government and Congressional leaders have been responsive to this issue and continue to apply lessons learned throughout the pandemic to take action that will address hunger and food insecurity in [...]

By |2021-06-16T13:00:43-04:00June 16th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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Trauma-Informed Plans for Schools

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss how school districts are developing their trauma-informed plans, what needs to be included, and how plans will be implemented. As a result of 2019's Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act, each local board of education must develop a plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in its schools by July 1, 2021. A special thank you to our panelists, including Dr. Joe Bargione, [...]

By |2021-06-10T10:27:03-04:00June 10th, 2021|Podcast|
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Fostering Teens

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss teens in foster care and the importance of fostering teens. Thank you to our panelists: Christa Bell, Director of the DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency; Eltuan Dawson, member of True Up and former foster youth; Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health of Kentucky SKY program; and Sarah Stalker, foster parent with experience fostering teens.Learn more about foster care in Kentucky at kyfaces.ky.gov [...]

By |2021-05-27T14:50:52-04:00May 27th, 2021|Podcast|
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Statement on JCBE School Suspension Decision

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – The decision by the Jefferson County Board of Education to “suspend suspensions” for our youngest children is far more than a simple change in disciplinary procedures. Instead, it is an affirmation of Superintendent Pollio’s persistent efforts to create a student-centric school system. This change in disciplinary processes will create a ripple effect with an impact than cannot be [...]

By |2021-05-25T20:49:11-04:00May 25th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Supporting Children Who’ve Experienced Trauma

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss caring for, and working with, kids and youth who have experienced trauma of any kind, including the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and racialized trauma. Thank you to our panelists: Samantha Behmke, Head Start Behavior Intervention Specialist with Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative; DeShara Doub, school mental health practitioner and Founder/CEO of Vision of Promise LLC; Jill Gay, Director of Programs and Services at Family Nurturing [...]

By |2021-05-19T15:44:09-04:00May 20th, 2021|Podcast|
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Statement on Expanded Statewide Efforts to Combat Child Trafficking

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Ending the trafficking and exploitation of children is a key component of keeping all Kentucky kids safe – from our cities to our most rural communities. That is why we were encouraged to hear Governor Andy Beshear’s announcement today to expand efforts in the commonwealth to prevent, recognize, and intervene in instances of human trafficking. By continuing to [...]

By |2021-05-19T17:32:18-04:00May 19th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Youth Speaking Up for Youth in Foster Care

By Dana Cole My name is Dana Cole, and I am a new member with the Voices of Commonwealth. I chose this job because it is my passion to help advocate for other foster youths — former and current. I was in foster care for about 10 years, so I have been through and have seen some things throughout my journey. I think being able to advocate and help others that may not have a [...]

By |2021-05-18T15:58:18-04:00May 18th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss supporting youth aging out of foster care in Kentucky. Thank you to our panelists, including Nikki Thornton, Executive Director of True Up; Paula Garner, President and CEO of Maryhurst; and Cynthia Schepers, a young adult who aged out of foster care. As of April 2021, True Up is officially an affiliated initiative of Kentucky Youth Advocates to expand on the organization's successful track record of [...]

By |2021-05-13T15:15:21-04:00May 13th, 2021|Podcast|
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True Up is Joining Kentucky Youth Advocates to Maximize Impact on Older Youth in Foster Care

CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates and True Up are pleased to announce a formal partnership between the two organizations. As of April 1, 2021, True Up is officially an affiliated initiative of Kentucky Youth Advocates. True Up Executive Director Nikki Thornton has joined Kentucky Youth Advocates’ team with the intent to expand on True Up’s successful track record of engaging, empowering, and connecting young people ages 16 and older who are currently [...]

By |2021-05-13T09:03:59-04:00May 12th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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