Kentucky kids deserve to grow and thrive free from abuse and neglect, and they depend on adults to keep them safe. Many settings where children are cared for require some type of background check, but the screenings and requirements vary. Stronger background checks would help ensure that kids are safe in the care of professionals. Senate Bill 236 seeks to close the gaps in background checks of adults who work with children at schools, summer [...]
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank the Senate Health and Welfare Committee for unanimously passing HB 180, sponsored by Chair of the House Health and Family Services Committee Representative Addia Wuchner, to allow close family friends to serve as kinship caregivers. When a child must be removed from their home, placement with a close family friend eases the trauma of removal. HB 180 prioritizes [...]
In the work that we do, it is imperative that we use data to inform our decisions and help children and their families access the resources they need. But with so many different tools and resources, it can be hard to find trusted information. That’s where the Data Center comes in. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Center contains thousands of child well-being indicators related to education, poverty, health, and youth risk factors. [...]
Join us for the 13th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol! Nearly 1,000 youth and adults attended Children’s Advocacy Day in 2016, and we need you to help pack the rotunda and ask elected officials to prioritize kids in the 2017 legislative session. Join us on February 9, 2017. 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 [...]
Your vote is your voice! In celebration of National Voter Registration Day, we encourage all Kentuckians of voting age to register. The November 8th ballot will include presidential candidates, as well as U.S. representatives and senators, Kentucky state representatives and senators, and U.S., state, and local judge seats. Children count on adults to speak up on their behalf. In fact, we've put together 5 reasons why Kentucky kids are depending on you to show up at your polling place [...]
As kids across the Commonwealth head back to school this month, we must remember the 53,000 children being raised by grandparents and other relatives and the unique challenges they face. Kinship caregivers often have informal arrangements and do not have legal custody or guardianship of the children in their care. The informality of care can make it difficult for kin to enroll children in school or access educational or healthcare services. In 2014, the Kentucky [...]
Kentucky Youth Advocates thanks all who have enrolled their Kroger PlusCard in Kroger Community Rewards to benefit our organization. Kroger allows customers to support their favorite nonprofit each time they shop by simply scanning their enrolled Kroger PlusCard. Kroger donates a portion of purchases to the nonprofit of the customer’s choosing at no additional cost to the customer. 3 things you need to know: All Kroger Community Rewards supporters currently enrolled must re-enroll between August [...]
This month we've published a number of tips as part of National Safety Month. We've made a checklist for kids to have a healthy and safe summer break and listed tips for water and traffic safety. As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, it's important to remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and practice water and vehicle safety, as well as to review tips to stay safe around fireworks. The following list of fireworks safety tips was [...]
It could never happen to me. It could never happen to my family. It could never happen to my kids. So many times, we recite these lines in our head, even subconsciously. That is, until it does happen to you, your kids, or your family. We take for granted many things that we think our loved ones will simply “do” in order to keep themselves safe. With June being National Safety Month, it’s time to [...]
It has been a few weeks now since my youngest sister’s high school graduation ceremony, giving me time to reflect on the event and its repercussions. The evening started off pleasant, catching up with former teachers and running into former classmates there to celebrate their younger siblings. The night got interesting, however, after the ceremony began and students lined up to walk across the stage to receive their diploma. My last name is mid-alphabet so [...]
