Terry Brooks, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

When It Comes to Education, a “C” Won’t Cut It

When It Comes to Education, a “C” Won’t Cut It

Education Week recently released the 21st annual Quality Counts report, which looks at state-by-state education performance on a number of measures, including chance for success, finance, and achievement. Kentucky's overall grade was a "C" and overall state ranking was 28th in the nation. Given many of the challenges facing Kentucky's kids, like poverty, this report is a testament to the hard work and professionalism being applied every day, in every schoolhouse by Kentucky's teachers and principals. And [...]

By Terry Brooks|2017-01-11T09:13:46-05:00January 11th, 2017|Blog, Education|

New Year’s Resolutions, Kentucky Kids, and the General Assembly

New Year’s Resolutions, Kentucky Kids, and the General Assembly

Have you already broken your New Year’s resolutions? Blame it on the ancient Romans. Their new year commitments began with pledges to the god Janus to behave better in the next twelve months, and when the Romans failed to meet those goals, they simply suggested that, “It was the will of Janus.” Of course, making those resolutions has become a cottage industry. Some opine in a lighthearted way, such as Ami Angelowicz who calls for [...]

By Terry Brooks|2017-01-04T10:15:24-05:00January 4th, 2017|Blog|

Even With More Access to Care, Children Still Face Pressing Oral Health Needs

Even With More Access to Care, Children Still Face Pressing Oral Health Needs

Kentucky Youth Advocates is excited to co-release a new study today in partnership with Delta Dental of Kentucky. The report Making Smiles Happen: 2016 Oral Health Study of Kentucky’s Youth presents findings of the first oral health surveillance study of Kentucky children in 15 years. The report was released today at the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare in Frankfort, Kentucky. We extend gratitude and appreciation to Delta Dental of Kentucky for being the [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-10-19T11:33:15-04:00October 19th, 2016|Blog, Health|

Congress, Stand Up for Kids and Put Families First

Congress, Stand Up for Kids and Put Families First

Kids win when elected leaders stand up for them and their families. That’s just what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul have been doing for Kentucky kids in Washington, DC. Thanks to Majority Leader McConnell’s leadership and Senator Paul’s support for the Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015, our nation will be better able to care for infants born exposed to substances. We also appreciate Senator McConnell’s work in partnership with First [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-09-27T09:47:36-04:00September 27th, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|

Restraints at Schools Present Risks to Students and Staff

Restraints at Schools Present Risks to Students and Staff

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier-Journal on September 20, 2016. Read it online here. Children in Kentucky’s public schools spend a minimum of 170 days a year in the classroom. For some students, one or more of their days could find them in a situation where behaviors, classified as beyond control, lead to a staff member in their school employing a physical restraint or utilizing a seclusion room. This reality is especially true for [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-09-20T16:02:25-04:00September 20th, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

The Ripple Effect and Child Poverty

The Ripple Effect and Child Poverty

You remember, don’t you? You’re that twelve-year old kid on a hot summer day. You and your friends are exploring that lake or pond or stream. And you pick up a handful of jagged rocks and toss them into the water. Almost magically it happens. That rock hits the surface, plunges in and then in its aftermath, those small waves emanate from the center and seemingly reach out forever. The ripple effect. Physicists have taken [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-09-20T10:26:16-04:00September 20th, 2016|Blog, Economic Security|

12,000 More Reasons to Protect Gains in Health Coverage

12,000 More Reasons to Protect Gains in Health Coverage

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released new health insurance data, revealing good news for Kentuckians. The data shows an increase in health insurance coverage rates for people of all ages in Kentucky from 85.7 percent in 2013 to 94.0 percent in 2015. Kentucky’s overall coverage rate is now tied with two other states at 10th in the nation. The one-year estimates from the American Community Survey revealed that 95.8 percent of Kentucky children under age [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-09-13T13:28:59-04:00September 13th, 2016|Blog, Health, Medicaid|

Is the Medicaid Waiver Good for Kentucky Kids?

Is the Medicaid Waiver Good for Kentucky Kids?

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier-Journal on August 25, 2016. Read it online here. “Is it good for kids?” That is the question we at Kentucky Youth Advocates always ask of our decision-makers, and we have carefully considered that question in response to the Bevin administration’s 1115 Waiver proposal to modify Kentucky’s Medicaid program. In reviewing the proposal, known as Kentucky HEALTH, we see some positives but also have concerns. Kentucky Youth Advocates supports [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-08-25T12:04:28-04:00August 25th, 2016|Blog, Health, Medicaid|

Kentucky Kids Need Your “WHYs?” and “WHAT IFs?”

Kentucky Kids Need Your “WHYs?” and “WHAT IFs?”

This week, the New York Times featured an article from Warren Berger, the author of the wonderful book "A More Beautiful Question." Berger reminded organizations of the power of asking, “Why?” and “What If?” Two weeks ago you read about the data side of the recently released 2016 National Kids Count Data Book. This week I’d like to apply Berger’s interrogatives to that data. WHY does child poverty get ignored in the political chatter in Frankfort? And [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-07-05T18:04:00-04:00July 5th, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count|

3 Ways “Fostering Success” Wins for Kids

3 Ways “Fostering Success” Wins for Kids

Governor Matt Bevin, Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Commissioner Adria Johnson of the Department of Community Based Services announced a new program that will serve as a pipeline for success for over 100 youth aging out of the foster care system. Fostering Success will include a ten-week workforce training and mentoring program with the goal of linking youth ages 18 to 23 to additional employment opportunities as [...]

By Terry Brooks|2016-05-31T17:11:04-04:00May 31st, 2016|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

About Terry Brooks