Mara Powell, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

Kentucky Teens Say E-cig Use Rampant and Adults Are Unaware

Kentucky Teens Say E-cig Use Rampant and Adults Are Unaware

A new infographic from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Kentucky Youth Advocates highlights the surge in e-cigarette usage among teens seen across the commonwealth and the nation. While youth cigarette smoking in Kentucky has steadily declined, the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, known as vapes and Juuls, is putting a new generation of teens at risk of nicotine addiction. “Kentucky just can’t afford to addict another generation to tobacco products, and the fact that youth e-cig [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-12-10T16:46:38+00:00December 10th, 2018|Blog, Education, Health|

Announcing the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2019 Priorities!

Announcing the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2019 Priorities!

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children stands on three cornerstones: Thriving communities launch strong families. Strong families launch successful kids. Successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. We’re launching the 2019 Blueprint policy priorities with partners from across the commonwealth with those three cornerstones in mind. We invite you to learn more about the Blueprint priorities and how to get involved. Check out the 2019 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy priorities. Read the fact sheets for the [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-12-05T09:37:11+00:00December 5th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Youth Justice|

Mark Your Calendar! 2019 Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol on February 13th

Mark Your Calendar! 2019 Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol on February 13th

Hundreds of youth and adults attended Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol in 2018, and we need you to help pack the rotunda and ask elected officials to prioritize kids in 2019. Join us on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 for the 15th annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol! Register here. Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices on behalf of children’s [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-09-13T12:38:12+00:00September 11th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Youth Justice|

Celebrating Kentucky Grandmas and Grandpas

Celebrating Kentucky Grandmas and Grandpas

Every year, the first Sunday after Labor Day, the United States recognizes and celebrates grandparents. Grandparents are important members of our families as they are the keepers of our family history, provide insight and advice on life’s milestones, and help keep family connected. In Kentucky, there are tens of thousands of grandparents who have also stepped up to raise their grandchildren. There are several reasons for grandparents to raise their grandchildren, including parental death, parental substance abuse, military [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-09-05T10:49:36+00:00September 5th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Why Does the Census Count Matter?

Why Does the Census Count Matter?

Photo provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation As a part of the U.S. Constitution, America has one chance every decade to count each resident through the decennial census. The census count helps determine everything from how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives, the number of state legislative districts needed, how much federal funding is allocated to states and localities, and which communities need a new elementary school, [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-09-17T13:49:34+00:00July 31st, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|

Send In Photos of Your Kentucky Kids

Send In Photos of Your Kentucky Kids

Kentucky Youth Advocates is looking for photos of Kentucky kids to include in the 2018 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book and other Kentucky Youth Advocates publications. We know you all proudly share pictures of your kids and grandkids by carrying them in your wallet and posting them on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s a great chance to promote those great kids through Kentucky Youth Advocates’ materials. We need your photos by August 31st so please start sending them in. In order to use the [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-06-06T10:12:57+00:00June 6th, 2018|Blog, Kids Count|

Statement on Governor Matt Bevin Signing HB 1 into Law

Statement on Governor Matt Bevin Signing HB 1 into Law

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement on Governor Matt Bevin Signing HB 1 into Law Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates joined Governor Matt Bevin, Representative David Meade, Representative Joni Jenkins, Kosair Charities®, partners in the Face It® Movement to End Child Abuse, and Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners to celebrate Governor Bevin’s ceremonial signing of House Bill 1, which was co-sponsored by Representative David Meade and Representative Joni Jenkins and received bipartisan support from the [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-05-31T15:59:05+00:00May 31st, 2018|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on CHFS Leadership Announcement

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on CHFS Leadership Announcement

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, the Governor named Adam Meier as Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) and Kristi Putnam as a Deputy Secretary. As the Cabinet that most impacts the lives of Kentucky children and families, CHFS leadership plays a critical role in protecting children from abuse and neglect, promoting health and access to health care, and [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-05-17T14:37:39+00:00May 17th, 2018|Child Welfare & Safety, Health, News Room|

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on State Takeover of Jefferson County Public Schools

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on State Takeover of Jefferson County Public Schools

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Many of the conclusions reached by the state audit are incontrovertible. Inefficiencies in administration and lack of student achievement – especially amongst vulnerable populations – are undeniable. The most significant reality that the audit recognizes is that Marty Pollio is not like recent superintendents. Dr. Pollio brings leadership; exudes a laser focus on kids; and has galvanized the community within and [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-05-04T21:21:46+00:00April 30th, 2018|Education, News Room|

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on KY House and Senate Passing the Budget

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on KY House and Senate Passing the Budget

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates In the best of times, crafting a budget is a complicated and difficult challenge. In these times of fiscal constraints, growing needs, and a less than certain economic future, crafting a budget is about making the toughest of decisions. As we think about the proposed budget and Kentucky’s kids, and given the tight budget constraints, it is important [...]

By Mara Powell|2018-04-02T20:40:19+00:00April 2nd, 2018|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, News Room|

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About Mara Powell