Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org JEFFERSONTOWN, KY – An easy-to-use snapshot that compares counties within states, the eighth annual County Health Rankings show that where you live influences how well and how long you live. The local level data makes it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond healthcare including housing, education, jobs, access to healthy foods, and more. “The reality is, children’s health is touched deeply and pervasively by where they live, [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the Kentucky House for passing SB 120 with broad bipartisan support. SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, will help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after re-entry into the community. Over 1 in 10 children in Kentucky have experienced parental incarceration, the highest rate in the nation, [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates  HB 520 can be a real opportunity for vulnerable kids in Kentucky who need a fresh start as learners. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates have consistently asserted three key points in the charter school debate. First, there are clearly good and bad charter experiences in this nation and we need to learn lessons from those. Secondly, high quality charters can [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates  We thank the Kentucky House for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who have been held accountable and stay out of trouble expunge additional offenses. We also thank Representative Joseph Fischer for presenting the bill on the House floor. When kids get back on track, we must ensure they are prepared to succeed in the future. SB 195 will make youth record [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Health and Family Services Chair Addia Wuchner and members of the committee for passing SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. SB 236 seeks to close the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters. Stronger background checks will help ensure that kids are [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Judiciary Chair Joseph Fischer and committee members for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chair Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who get back on track expunge additional offenses. We must hold youth accountable, but we know kids make mistakes. Those mistakes should not hold youth back from opportunities to learn and work. SB 195 will help [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud Chairman Joseph Fischer and members of the House Judiciary Committee for Passing SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after reentry into the community. Kentucky has the highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. SB 120 [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates HB 520, sponsored by Chairman John Carney, to allow high quality charter schools has passed the Kentucky House. This bill incorporates important lessons learned from the national experience around charter schools. It incorporates research-based and proven standards around accountability, authorization, best practice, financing, and certification. We appreciate Chairman Carney’s commitment to Kentucky students who receive free or reduced lunch at [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates HB 520, sponsored by Chairman John Carney, to allow high quality charter schools has passed the House Education Committee. This bill represents the most significant and fundamental education reform that Kentucky has seen since the enactment of the Kentucky Education Reform Act in 1990. It is especially important to note that HB 520 incorporates important lessons learned from the national [...]