Kids don’t vote. Kids don’t write campaign checks. Kids certainly don’t have super PACs. That is why I hope you will take just a couple minutes and watch this video. Democracy Prep’s amazing fourth grade citizen-scholars want you to VOTE this November 6th! And so does EVERY kid in Kentucky! Kids have a lot riding on this Tuesday – in the Presidential race; in Kentucky’s Congressional contests; in school board votes; in the judicial match-ups; [...]
Yesterday’s announcement that Kentucky Spirit is choosing to pull out of Kentucky is not surprising given the multiple issues over the past year. Some of those issues, indeed, lay with the state and others, frankly may well lay with simple business metrics of how Kentucky Spirit bid and billed. There will be time to focus on the “why”. The immediate need is to focus on the “now.” This transition has the potential to cause disruptions [...]
“A self-imposed deadline is the worst reason to sacrifice quality in implementing what amounts to a revolutionary change in the way health services are delivered to Medicaid members in Kentucky. The month delay can actually be good news for Kentucky’s Medicaid members if the Cabinet uses October to guarantee a smooth, high-quality and personalized roll out. There is no question that the initial timeline was micro-waved in nature and in many aspects, the delay is [...]
I recently got back from a little trip to Florida. It is easy to fall in love with the sun and sand and seafood. But hey, all is not perfect down there. I mean what can you say about a state where the highest elevation is 345 feet? That is not even a molehill in certain parts of Kentucky. Also, the Sunshine State now has the official title of the nation’s most congested state, finally [...]
I’m envisioning the days leading up to September 3, 2012 when – I predict — U of L will have simply clobbered the Cats in the first gridiron clash of the season. What are both coaching staffs and players doing? Film analysis. What went well and what went wrong in past games? What improvements can be made in practice schemes, starting lineups and play selection? In other words, both schools are trying to improve their [...]
Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a major win for Kentucky kids. While partisan toxicity and legitimate debate around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will continue, let’s be clear – because the ACA will advance the well-being and health of Kentucky’s children, it will also advance the Commonwealth’s shared prosperity today and tomorrow. The ACA carries provisions around preventive care and oral health that can have a major impact on tackling some issues that have long-plagued Kentucky’s [...]
Spring in Kentucky is a time filled with an array of annual rituals. If it’s spring in the Commonwealth, you just know that all of John Calapari’s starters will leave for the NBA and that the Cats will re-load with another bumper crop of recruits. You know that the Cards’ Spring game on the gridiron will kick off hope for the fall (Hey, my Cards are a football school!). And then there is that horse [...]
When we talk about kids being locked up for status offenses like truancy or running away, this is what it looks like (click to see video): Does seeing those kids in handcuffs because they missed school have the same effect on you as it does me? Frankly, it scares me. It scares me for the kids in the visual to be sure. But it scares me for the very nature of what it means to [...]
The timing was surreal. My good friend and colleague DeWayne Westmoreland was leading KYA’s landmark research effort around alternative programs. DeWayne was visiting alternative programs from Paducah to Prestonsburg. As he walked into one program operated by the local school district, the place was abuzz with excitement. After asking and asking and asking for additional administrative support, finally help was on the way. “We are going to get an assistant principal at last,” opined everyone [...]
Wednesday night was a promising one for Kentucky’s children. In fact, this may be the first time in a long time that children were a genuine priority in a Commonwealth Address. Governor Beshear articulated the reality that children’s health and education and safety all impinge on one another. Leaders simply cannot silo improvement for Kentucky’s children and a holistic campaign for kids is replete with potential. Especially important was the commitment spotlighted around the child [...]