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So far Kentucky Youth Advocates has created 945 blog entries.

OP-ED: Leave No One Behind – Anywhere, Anytime

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on November 11, 2021. By Dr. Terry Brooks Leave no one behind. That is a foundational ethical commitment of the U.S. military, even embedded in the Airman and Soldier Creeds. More recently, it is the clarion tag line of the United Nations’ Sustainability Initiative around poverty. It should become a nonnegotiable promise Kentucky makes to every one of our little boys and girls. But currently that [...]

By |2021-11-11T13:29:15-05:00November 11th, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Kids Count, Race Equity|
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Launch of the 2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book

The 2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book examines data disaggregated by race/ethnicity, the impacts of systemic racial injustice on children and families, and solutions to advance racial equity so that every child can thrive. The 31st edition of this publication also features the latest data on 17 measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the Commonwealth have improved, worsened, or stayed the same over a five-year period. At the virtual [...]

By |2021-11-11T09:48:25-05:00November 11th, 2021|Podcast|
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Open Letter to Louisville Metro Council on Proposed Youth Transfer Center

An Open Letter to President James and Metro Council: That sound? It’s the flushing of millions of dollars towards an idea that will, in many ways, have the exact opposite effect as intended. Let me be clear. I do not doubt the commitment of EVERY Metro Council member when it comes to supporting young people and making our community safe. But the notion of a Youth Transfer Center is a wrong-headed if well-intended approach. First, [...]

By |2021-11-10T12:45:27-05:00November 10th, 2021|News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at Data Trends and Solutions to Advance Racial Equity in the Commonwealth

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at Data Trends and Solutions to Advance Racial Equity in the Commonwealth Featuring the latest county-level data for key measures of child well-being Louisville, KY – Kentucky will be strongest when all children have their best chance to thrive. The 2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book examines data disaggregated by race/ethnicity, the impacts of systemic racial injustice on children and families, [...]

By |2021-11-10T13:50:01-05:00November 10th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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OP-ED: Vaping still threatens our children. The FDA must help.

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in The Enquirer on Novemeber 1, 2021. By Dr. Terry Brooks Building strong families and communities is the key to unlocking the potential of our next generation. Unfortunately, Kentucky leads the nation in too many cancer statistics—including the rate of new lung cancer diagnoses. These chronic health issues prevent our youth from getting the right start. Everyone, from policymakers to advocates to educators to parents, needs to be [...]

By |2021-11-02T14:50:12-04:00November 2nd, 2021|Blog, Health|
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Youth and Nicotine Prevention

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the state of tobacco use among youth throughout Kentucky, as well as data, policy, and state budget opportunities to prevent and mitigate nicotine and tobacco use --including the new Nix the Next campaign. Thank you to our panelists: Hannah Abdon, high school senior from Boone County; Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; Betsy Clemons of the Hazard/Perry County Chamber of Commerce; and, [...]

By |2022-06-30T16:13:47-04:00October 28th, 2021|Podcast|
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Early Childhood Ecosystem & Workforce

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the early childhood ecosystem available to serve Kentucky kids and their families, along with what is needed for a strong workforce. Thank you to our panelists, including Lauren Hogan, Managing Director of Policy and Professional Advancement at National Association for the Education of Young Children; Kevin Fields, President/Chief Executive Officer at Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc; Jennifer Washburn, Executive Director at iKids Childhood Enrichment Center; [...]

By |2021-10-13T11:51:01-04:00October 14th, 2021|Podcast|
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OP-ED: Is that the best we’ve got for our kids?

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on October 7, 2021. By Dr. Terry Brooks Knee jerk and wrong-headed proposals. Courageous young people giving voice to the issues at hand in the middle of a school board meeting. Bold leadership from our Superintendent. And a puzzling mix of regressive and promising policy proposals from Metro Council leadership. Thus is the landscape of Louisville as we grieve the tragic murder of Tyree Smith. And [...]

By |2021-10-07T14:28:19-04:00October 7th, 2021|Blog, Education, Justice, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Supporting Families with Babies

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss policies and programs to best support parents of babies. As part of the Kosair Charities Face It Movement's TEN-4 week, panelists discuss healthy development, opportunities for family engagement, and how community members can show up for families with young children.  Thank you to Keith Inman of Kosair Charities for sharing remarks and to our panelists, Elena Diehl from GrowBabyGrow and Erica Wade from The Center [...]

By |2021-10-11T13:27:27-04:00October 7th, 2021|Podcast|
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OP-ED: Kids don’t need ‘flaws’ and ‘scandals’ – they deserve a justice system that works for them

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader on September 24, 2021. By Dr. Terry Brooks First, on behalf of Kentucky’s kids, thanks to John Cheves and the Herald Leader for the deep, thoughtful series looking at youth detention centers in Kentucky. The stories told, the issues raised, and the challenges at hand demand action from both the Beshear Administration and the General Assembly. There is no doubt that we must address the crisis [...]

By |2021-09-24T13:19:33-04:00September 24th, 2021|Blog, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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