About Tara Grieshop-Goodwin

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So far Tara Grieshop-Goodwin has created 51 blog entries.

“Changing Laws, Changing Lives”: Reforming Kentucky’s Criminal Justice System

Governor Matt Bevin joined fellow governors from Georgia and Oklahoma in a recent video on criminal justice system reforms being implemented in their respective states. Governor Bevin speaks to the system helping society when incarceration focuses not just on removing people from the community but rehabilitating them. Kentucky has taken steps to improve the criminal justice system, most recently by passing HB 40 to allow certain felonies to be expunged so people can get back to work after serving their time [...]

By |2016-08-02T16:26:50-04:00August 2nd, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

All Youth Deserve Opportunities to Thrive

Last week marked a seminal moment for Kentucky at the System of Care conference. Kentucky leaders tackled head on a challenge that has been facing Kentucky for years – disparities by race in outcomes for children. We’ve known for some time that racial disparities exist for kids in Kentucky. While the issue cannot be solved in one conference, beginning a broader dialogue about the issue represents a milestone along the path to ending disparate outcomes [...]

Time to Let Parents Get Back to Work

Several years ago, the Kentucky legislature took action to address an issue that galvanized support from groups like the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the County Judge Executive Association, as well as all three of Kentucky’s branches of government. It was the rising prison population and the associated costs. While legislation was passed with the aim to safely reduce incarceration, the impacts of Kentucky’s recent history of high incarceration remain. Approximately 13 percent of Kentucky [...]

By |2016-03-15T16:38:33-04:00March 15th, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

3 Ways SB 200 Reforms Show Impact

When reforms to Kentucky’s juvenile justice system were discussed in the General Assembly in 2014, the efforts focused on several core goals: holding youth accountable, achieving better outcomes for youth, and maintaining public safety. Two years later, and just 6 months after full implementation of SB 200, the numbers are already showing the positive impact of the reforms. Data reported at the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council in January showed progress on a number of fronts: [...]

By |2016-02-05T09:45:28-05:00February 5th, 2016|Blog, Youth Justice|

New State Laws Protecting Children Take Effect This Week 

Though it may feel like any other hot week of summer in Kentucky, this week will be the first that new laws enacted during the 2015 legislative session take effect. All legislation was effective on Wednesday, June 24th, unless the bill had a specific delayed implementation date. For Kentucky children, this means that new laws will now better protect them from abuse and neglect, promote strong child care options, and require safer travel by car. [...]

Keep Kentucky Babies’ Health from Going Up in Smoke

Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies. Yet a stubbornly high statistic—smoking during pregnancy—warns us that too many Kentucky babies don't get a strong start. The data by county also shows us that counties with comprehensive smoke-free laws have lower rates of smoking during pregnancy. That's an observation backed up by research that shows such laws work to reduce smoking during pregnancy and keep unborn babies safe. Such laws would also prevent many more pregnant women from breathing [...]

By |2015-06-01T10:57:15-04:00June 1st, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health, Kids Count|

Congress Comes Through for Kids’ Health

Last night, the Senate passed legislation – known as the SGR-CHIP compromise – that will extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for two more years. Not only did Congress extend funding; they did so while protecting the successful structure of the program that is tailored to children’s needs. This is good news for the approximately 66,000 Kentucky children each month who receive quality health care coverage through Kentucky’s version – KCHIP. KCHIP offers affordable [...]

By |2015-04-15T16:00:45-04:00April 15th, 2015|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

Championing Children in the 2015 General Assembly

The 2015 legislative session wrapped up this week and proved to be another strong session for Kentucky children. In the end, three Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities were sent to the Governor for his signature. These legislative actions will mean Kentucky children are better prepared for a strong, healthy future. Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams with Representative Rita Smart filing a companion bill in the House, addresses the serious problem of [...]

Legislative Leaders Prioritize Children in Last Hours before Veto Days

Last night, Kentucky lawmakers prioritized the protection of children from abuse and neglect and sent SB 119 to the Governor for signature. The bill will make sure educators have the information they need to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect. Recognizing and responding to child abuse early-on can mitigate the more serious consequences of long-term abuse and neglect. The issue has been a bipartisan measure from start to finish. SB 119 was filed by [...]

By |2015-03-12T17:56:32-04:00March 12th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

If Your Representative Voted Yes on Smoke-Free, Please Thank Him or Her Today!

Good news!  We are one step closer to helping protect pregnant women and children from secondhand smoke with a statewide smoke-free law in Kentucky. HB 145 passed the KY House of Representatives last Friday by a vote of 51 to 46.  This is the very first time the KY House has voted on and passed smoke-free legislation - so thanks for helping us make history. As this process moves forward, we will work to ensure [...]

By |2015-02-16T10:08:47-05:00February 16th, 2015|Blog, Health|
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