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So far Kentucky Youth Advocates has created 944 blog entries.

Statement on Passage of HB 21 by the Senate Transportation Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – No matter what homelessness looks like for a young person – doubling up with friends and family to living in a hotel or shelter to living on the streets – they lack a fixed address and face significant barriers to accessing essential documents. With passage of House Bill 21 today by the Senate Transportation Committee, the Commonwealth [...]

Statement on Final Passage of SB 48

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today’s passage of Senate Bill 48 by the Kentucky House underscores the General Assembly commitment to improving transparency and accountability within child welfare cases so there are better outcomes for the families impacted. We are especially applauding the leadership of Senator Stephen Meredith, who has championed this measure with emphasis on strengthening the child welfare system for [...]

By |2023-03-14T15:29:20-04:00March 14th, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Passage of HB 470 by the Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today's vote by the Senate Families & Children Committee to advance House Bill 470 with Senator Max Wise’s committee substitute is a sad reminder of the trajectory of the General Assembly when it comes to kids and mental health this legislative session. Only a few years ago, Senate Bill 1 of 2019 – architected by Senator Wise himself [...]

By |2023-03-14T11:55:20-04:00March 14th, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, Health, News Room|

Statement on Passage of SB 229 by the House Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement policy team, we are commending the House Families & Children Committee supporting passage of Senate Bill 229, sponsored by Senators Julie Raque Adams, David Yates, and Danny Carroll. The House committee substitute adopted today expands the measure’s efforts to close gaps in abuse reporting laws and strengthen how we support families [...]

By |2023-03-14T10:05:38-04:00March 14th, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Passage of HB 3 by the Senate A&R Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As the General Assembly wrestles with the complex issue of juvenile justice, Senator Danny Carroll continues to lead. His additions to House Bill 3 with the Senate Committee Substitute underscore the potential to improve public safety, hold youth accountable for mistakes, and focus on getting those young people back on the right track. Those additions include: Delaying [...]

By |2023-03-13T16:23:30-04:00March 13th, 2023|News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Statement on Passage of SB 48 by the House Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Increasing transparency and accountability within child welfare cases is one step closer today with passage of Senate Bill 48 by the House Families & Children Committee. Among several other components to boost efficiency within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, this measure will relocate the Ombudsman’s Office to the state Auditor’s Office – a move that is [...]

By |2023-03-09T08:26:07-05:00March 9th, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Passage of SB 135 by the House Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, we’re celebrating as the House Families & Children Committee passes Senate Bill 135 to strengthen mental health supports postpartum. Maternal health and well-being play a key role in the healthy development of a child at every stage. As SB 135 advances to the House floor for final consideration, the Commonwealth is one step closer to ensuring new [...]

Statement on Passage of SB 229 by the Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – At 6th in the nation in the rate of child maltreatment, the Commonwealth has made progress but still has a long way to go in child maltreatment prevention efforts. Yet, we can celebrate today as Kentucky is one step closer to closing gaps in abuse reporting laws and strengthening how we support families at risk. Senate Bill [...]

By |2023-03-03T10:59:49-05:00March 3rd, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Kentucky House Passage of HB 470

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today was a seminal moment in the Kentucky House. The question at hand: Is the House committed to all of Kentucky's kids or just some of Kentucky's kids? We are appreciative of the "NO" votes on HB 470 from the House Democratic caucus members to be sure. And a special thanks is merited for those House Republicans who also [...]

By |2023-03-02T16:39:33-05:00March 2nd, 2023|Child Welfare & Safety, Health, News Room|

“I wish for my story of paralyzing fear, shame, and loneliness resulting from abuse by my teacher to be the last in Kentucky.”

By Kotomi Yokokura, BASW Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates I was in high school when my teacher began texting me during and outside of school hours. He would work to gain my trust, offering me homemade food and taking interest in my personal life, all behind the closed doors of his office. While I did not know it at the time, these texts and one on one meetings would be the beginning stages of grooming [...]

By |2023-03-02T15:43:36-05:00March 2nd, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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