By Jeanna C., KY SEAT Member Say it with me: Grief. It's a word that evokes a multitude of emotions: sadness, anger, emptiness, and even a strange sense of disbelief. It's a universal human experience, a tide that washes over us all at some point, carrying us away from the familiar shores of life we once knew. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, KY SEAT, the statewide birth parent council, wants to acknowledge [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Call it a system failure. Call it a crisis. Call it a hot mess. Call it what you want but Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is failing kids and community safety every day. Kentucky’s leaders have abrogated their leadership responsibilities in this crucial arena so today’s announcement that the Justice Department is opening a statewide investigation into Kentucky’s [...]
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps women, infants, and children get a strong start in life. This program is a lifeline for over 115,000 Kentucky parents, caregivers, and kids, providing them with food benefits through an EBT card, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more. One of WIC’s primary goals is to ensure that moms and kids get the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive. To [...]
Terry Brooks is joined by Shane Noem, a Republican lobbyist from Northern Kentucky with Roebling Solutions and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member, and Abby Piper, Founder & Managing Partner of the government and public relations firm Piper Smith based in Lexington. Terry shares KYA's recap of "fumbles" for kids by the 2024 General Assembly and facilitates a debrief of the legislative session with our guests. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children [...]
This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the [...]
Terry Brooks is joined by Barry Dunn, President & CEO of Kosair for Kids, and Shannon Moody, KYA's Chief Policy & Strategy Officer, for a look at the Face It Movement's efforts over the last decade. As part of a call to action for Child Abuse Prevention Month, they discuss the state of child maltreatment in the Commonwealth, the growth and impact of Face It, and how everyone can play a role in prevention.Learn more [...]
This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on April 24, 2024. By Barry Dunn and Shannon Moody Child abuse cases grab headlines and our hearts. We are often left asking: “how could this happen?” and “who would hurt an innocent child?” Substantiated cases of child abuse lead to intervention measures, which are necessary when a child can no longer safely be with their parents due to abuse or neglect. Intervention can include [...]
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 for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Facing a budget session, the 2024 General Assembly was [...]
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 for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. As we recover from eclipse mania in [...]
This spring, the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky will host listening sessions across the nine Department for Community Based Services regions with our co-hosts from the Kentucky Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Network. The importance of these sessions cannot be overstated. Kinship care is when a relative or close family friend steps in to care for a child when the parents are unable to do so. This is a noble but often challenging commitment. [...]
