Patricia Tennen, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

Celebrating and Sustaining Investments in Child Care in Kentucky

Celebrating and Sustaining Investments in Child Care in Kentucky

As spring approaches, there’s nothing more wonderful than finding the early blooms peaking their way through the hard, brown soil. They represent hope for warmth and growth to come. This March, we are starting to see early blooms peeking out from seeds planted by Congress and state leaders into Kentucky’s child care system. And we know beautiful growth is ahead! This calls for both celebration and continued attention to ensure that all working families in [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2019-03-06T15:13:06-04:00March 6th, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|

Five days, Five KIDS COUNT Community Conversations, Countless Lessons

Five days, Five KIDS COUNT Community Conversations, Countless Lessons

To mark the release of our Kentucky KIDS COUNT 2018 County Data Book, we spent last week on the road, visiting five communities across the Commonwealth, including Louisville, Paducah, Glasgow, Manchester and Covington. Our goals were two-fold. First, we wanted to introduce community leaders to the 100+ local data points available through the Kentucky KIDS COUNT Project that can give them a picture of how kids are faring in their counties. Secondly, we wanted [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2018-12-04T18:59:05-04:00December 4th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, Kids Count, Youth Justice|

Back to School with Kentucky Kids

Back to School with Kentucky Kids

There has been some serious excitement in my house this week, as our daughters prepare for their first days of school. We’ve gone to school to deliver their bags of school supplies – crayons, markers, scissors, notebooks, and glue sticks. We’ve visited their classrooms and met their new teachers. We’ve picked out their first-day-of-school outfits and prepared their new backpacks. In our house, back to school is a pretty big deal. My first- and third-grader [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2018-08-15T10:33:01-04:00August 15th, 2018|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

An Investment in Child Care is an Investment in Stable Families and a Strong Workforce

An Investment in Child Care is an Investment in Stable Families and a Strong Workforce

Kayla and her daughter RaeLynn. Recently, parents, providers, and employers came to Frankfort to testify before the House Budget Review Subcommittee about the importance of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and ask them to increase funding for the program in this year’s state budget proposal. The high cost of child care is a major barrier for low-income parents. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 71 percent of non-working, low-income parents with [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2018-04-03T10:39:52-04:00March 13th, 2018|Blog, Economic Security, Education|

Going Back to School with Kentucky Kids

Going Back to School with Kentucky Kids

There was some serious excitement in my house last week, as my youngest daughter began kindergarten. The day before her first day, we went into school to deliver her bag of school supplies – crayons, markers, scissors, notebooks, and glue sticks. We visited her new classroom and found her spot at the table with her name and met her new teacher. We hung her first-day-of-school outfit in her closet and got her new Shopkins backpack [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2017-08-23T19:56:42-04:00August 23rd, 2017|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health|

How Does Kentucky Measure Up on Key Child Care Policies?

How Does Kentucky Measure Up on Key Child Care Policies?

A new report examining statewide child care policies recognizes Kentucky as one of 31 states that has improved on key policies, yet finds that too many families nationwide are not receiving the help they need to thrive. The need for a better child care infrastructure to support working families is drawing attention from both presidential candidates, and there’s good reason. Simply put, child care helps children, families, and communities prosper. High quality child care gives [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2016-10-26T11:10:15-04:00October 26th, 2016|Blog, Economic Security, Education|

Improvements to the Child Care Assistance Program Go into Effect Today

Improvements to the Child Care Assistance Program Go into Effect Today

Good news! Several family-friendly improvements that will increase access to child care go into effect September 1, 2016. 1. More families are now eligible for child care assistance. Thanks to Governor Bevin and the Kentucky General Assembly, income limits for child care assistance are increasing to 160 percent of the current federal poverty level, up from 150 percent of the 2011 federal poverty level. This means that a family of 4 making up to $38,880 will [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2016-09-01T09:33:51-04:00September 1st, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|

Kinship Care in Kentucky Featured on KET Connections

Kinship Care in Kentucky Featured on KET Connections

Kentucky has one of the highest rates in the nation of children being raised by grandparents and other relatives, also known as kinship care. Research tells us that this is the best option for children who cannot stay safely with their parents. Yet kinship care poses unique financial, emotional, and legal challenges. This Friday, KET’s Renee Shaw will explore the challenges facing kinship caregivers in Kentucky as part of her Connections series. She tells the [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2015-08-27T11:35:56-04:00August 27th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

New Infographic Shows How We Can Better Support Kinship Families

New Infographic Shows How We Can Better Support Kinship Families

As we near the end of National Foster Care Month, it is fitting to recognize the grandparents and other relatives who are raising children in Kentucky. Research shows that when children cannot remain safely with their parents, they are better off with family. Yet, we also know that kinship care poses lots of challenges, and these families need our support. Today, the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky, which is coordinated by Kentucky Youth Advocates, releases [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2015-05-28T09:11:47-04:00May 28th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Kids Count|

New SNAP Benefits “Plant the Seeds” for a Healthier Kentucky

New SNAP Benefits “Plant the Seeds” for a Healthier Kentucky

On the first warm weekend in March, my husband enlisted our daughters to help him prepare our vegetable garden beds and plant the first seeds – carrots, lettuce, kale, and swiss chard. Already, the green seedlings have sprouted and we are well on our way to some delicious home grown veggies. Later this summer, we will relish the vision of our daughters pulling the full grown carrots out of the garden with the beautiful green [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2015-04-23T10:41:36-04:00April 23rd, 2015|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

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About Patricia Tennen