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So far Kentucky Youth Advocates has created 944 blog entries.

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by Senate Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As Kentucky kids learn and socialize increasingly in online spaces, it’s as important as ever to put safeguards in place to prevent and address exploitation and promote child safety. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of online sexual extortion, or “sextortion” – where perpetrators use social media platforms, gaming sites, and messaging [...]

By |2025-02-06T09:59:09-05:00February 6th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|
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Statement on Passage of SB 17 by Senate Health Services Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky kids’ health depends on access to safe and equitable care – beginning even before they are born. Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Senator Shelly Funke Frommeyer, will remove barriers to critical perinatal care options so that more Kentucky moms and their babies have the chance to thrive. Freestanding birth centers are small health care facilities that offer [...]

By |2025-02-05T17:47:04-05:00February 5th, 2025|Health, News Room, Race Equity|
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OP-ED: “Say What?” Legislative Proposals for Kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader, NKY Tribune, and Courier Journal. By Terry Brooks “Say what?” Merriam Webster describes this idiom as “a way to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said or at unexpected news.” It is also the most popular response to any question or request directed to my three teenage grandkids. I’m never sure if that teen response is genuine surprise or a very skilled stalling [...]

By |2025-01-31T16:17:58-05:00January 30th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid, News Room, Youth Justice|
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Statement on Auditor’s Report on Foster Children Sleeping in DCBS Offices

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the release of the preliminary report on foster children staying in Department for Community Based Services office buildings, State Auditor Allison Ball and the Office of the Ombudsman exemplifies how to be a catalyst for change for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable kids. The report outlines a few important takeaways for us to consider when it [...]

By |2025-01-29T14:20:49-05:00January 29th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Positive Childhood Experiences: The enjoyment of participation in community traditions

Did you know that creating positive experiences in childhood can lay the groundwork for lifelong resilience and well-being? These experiences are known as Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Unlike Adverse Childhood Experiences, PCEs highlight the nurturing moments, relationships, and environments that build a child’s strength and emotional health. In the Bloom Kentucky blog series, we explore how we can nurture these positive experiences to support children across the Bluegrass. Today’s spotlight is on the enjoyment [...]

By |2025-01-22T14:04:53-05:00January 22nd, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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A Conversation on Addressing ACEs with Aetna SKY

Terry Brooks is joined by Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health® of Kentucky's Supporting Kentucky Youth (SKY) program. We hear more about the long term impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the role Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) has in mitigating adversity. Terry and Kelly also reflect on the SKY program's ACEs prevention and intervention efforts and how all Kentuckians can play a role in preventing adversity and promoting resilience building [...]

By |2025-01-21T13:58:57-05:00January 22nd, 2025|Podcast|
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The Latest Child Maltreatment Report Shows Kentucky’s High Rate of Victims Persists

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – The latest national Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows a total of 14,484 child victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the reporting period (FFY 2023). While there has been a 28% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2019 to 2023, Kentucky has nearly double the national rate (7.4 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 14.2 per 1,000 children. Young [...]

By |2025-01-16T14:26:47-05:00January 16th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Taking Action for Kids During KYGA25

Terry Brooks shares reflections on the first week of the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, updates on Blueprint for Kentucky's Children policy priorities, and a call to action for advocates to speak up for kids throughout the short state legislative session. Find advocacy information and resources at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care [...]

By |2025-01-16T13:08:13-05:00January 16th, 2025|Podcast|
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Experiencing the Holidays Without My Children

By: Brandi W., KY SEAT Member Experiencing the holidays without my children is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was Christmas morning, and I had spent the last 16 Christmas mornings with my kids—except for this one. My daughter had been taken out of my custody the October before due to educational neglect. She had not been abused or neglected; she simply did [...]

By |2024-12-19T18:11:05-05:00December 19th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Announcing the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2025 State Policy Priorities Agenda

Media Contact:  Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Louisville, KY – Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners from across the Commonwealth released the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2025 priority agenda. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future [...]

By |2024-12-10T12:54:44-05:00December 11th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid, News Room, Youth Justice|
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