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About Mara Powell

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So far Mara Powell has created 129 blog entries.

5 Ways to Boost Child Advocacy in the Interim

While we’re still reflecting on the wins, missed opportunities, and conundrums surrounding kid-related policies during the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly – in terms of legislation and the biennial state budget – Kentucky Youth Advocates is eagerly looking ahead to this interim period and planning for the 2027 legislative session.  Child advocacy efforts continue through the interim in Frankfort and across the Commonwealth as the General Assembly regularly meets and connects with constituents [...]

By |2026-06-10T15:18:06-04:00June 10th, 2026|Blog|
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Voter Guide on Kids and the Kentucky Primary

As the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly wrapped up in Frankfort, the election cycle in the Bluegrass state is well underway. May brings Primary Election Day in the Commonwealth – the first opportunity for Kentucky voters to weigh in on who will represent them across local, state, and federal elected positions. What to Know About Primary Elections in Kentucky Unlike the General Election that takes place in [...]

By |2026-04-16T15:37:13-04:00April 16th, 2026|Blog, Kids Count|
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Statement on Passage of HB 338 by House Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – When families have access to safe, stable housing, children can grow and thrive. Yet, families with children are two times more likely to face eviction than other households, often leading to long-term barriers to securing stable housing even if the case is dismissed. And sometimes those children are listed on eviction filings, damaging their housing record before [...]

By |2026-03-11T11:35:29-04:00March 11th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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8 Ways to Advocate for Kids During #KYGA26

The Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 6th. Check out these 8 ways advocates can speak up for kids throughout the 2026 state legislative session: Review the 2026 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy and budget priority agenda Look up who represents you in Frankfort and how to contact your state Senator and Representative, as well as information on bills, committee schedules and agendas, and more from the Legislative Research Commission Bookmark our 2026 Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker [...]

By |2026-01-02T14:02:10-05:00January 2nd, 2026|Blog|
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Statement on Passage of SB 17 by the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – We’re celebrating as Senate Bill 17 passes the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee. This commonsense bill will remove barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers in Kentucky – a move that aligns with 40 other states. SB 17, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, is the companion bill of Representative Jason Nemes’ House Bill 90, to [...]

By |2025-03-12T10:03:30-04:00March 12th, 2025|Health, News Room, Race Equity|
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Statement on Passage of SB 73 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On this final day of Children’s Advocacy Week, we are celebrating as the first Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priority bill is headed to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 73, championed by Senator Julie Raque Adams, was passed unanimously by the Kentucky House – emphasizing the General Assembly’s commitment to empowering victims of sexual exploitation, holding perpetrators of [...]

By |2025-03-07T14:34:38-05:00March 7th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|
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Statement on Passage of SB 17 by Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Freestanding birth centers give pregnant moms choices in their care – and the Kentucky Senate voted to support that notion today with passage of Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Senator Shelly Funke Frommeyer. By removing barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers in Kentucky, pregnant moms with low-risk pregnancies can receive perinatal care safely in a homelike environment [...]

By |2025-02-07T12:59:36-05:00February 7th, 2025|Health, News Room, Race Equity|
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8 Ways to Advocate for Kids During #KYGA25

The Kentucky General Assembly reconvened in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 7th. Check out these 8 ways advocates can speak up for kids throughout the 2025 state legislative session: Review the 2025 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy priorities agenda Look up who represents you in Frankfort and how to contact your state Senator and Representative, as well as information on bills, committee schedules and agendas, and more from the Legislative Research Commission Bookmark our 2025 Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker webpage so [...]

By |2025-01-16T10:57:35-05:00January 3rd, 2025|Blog|
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Making Kids Count in the 2024 Election

Kids cannot vote, but you can ensure that their voices are heard by engaging with candidates in local, state, and federal elections and being an informed voter.  The leaders we elect determine policies and budgets that will impact our daily lives for what may be generations to come. But how often do we pause to consider–specifically–how our choices at the ballot box will impact us, and particularly children who depend on us to make [...]

By |2024-10-14T10:47:51-04:00September 4th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Save the Date: Children’s Advocacy Week 2025

For more than 20 years, advocates for kids have gathered in Frankfort for Children’s Advocacy Day to fill the halls of the Capitol and ask their elected officials to step up for Kentucky kids. The critical mass of advocates in the Capitol building led to many policy wins and raising awareness of issues facing kids and their families.   During Children’s Advocacy Week, we host a series of virtual events with more opportunities to [...]

By |2024-08-26T09:32:38-04:00August 20th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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