The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky.
As the commonwealth works to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address systemic racism, the Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families.
The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky.
As the commonwealth works to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address systemic racism, the Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families.
2021 BLUEPRINT FOR KENTUCKY’S CHILDREN FACT SHEETS
ADVOCATE VIRTUAL FORUMS
Collective, cross-sector, equity-based advocacy continues to be vitally important for kids. On Wednesday, June 16th at 10AM EST we will discuss young children with special needs, including early identification of special needs and how communities, service providers, and policymakers can support these kids and their families. And on Wednesday, June 23rd at 10AM EST we will discuss the 2021 National KIDS COUNT Data Book, which will be released that week. We will review Kentucky data included in the book and hear reflections from partners across Kentucky.
Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for their support of the Advocate Virtual Forums. Learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.
Trauma-Informed Plans for Schools | June 09 2021
We discuss how school districts are developing their trauma-informed plans, what needs to be included, and how plans will be implemented. As a result of 2019’s Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act, each local board of education must develop a plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in its schools by July 1, 2021. A special thank you to our panelists, including Dr. Joe Bargione, Bounce Coalition trainer and Executive Committee member; Michael Ford, Superintendent of Russell County Schools; and Dr. Steven Kniffley, Chief Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Spalding University.
Fostering Teens | May 26 2021
We discuss teens in foster care and the importance of fostering teens. Thank you to our panelists: Christa Bell, Director of the DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency; Eltuan Dawson, member of True Up and former foster youth; Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health of Kentucky SKY program; and Sarah Stalker, foster parent with experience fostering teens.
Supporting Children Who’ve Experienced Trauma | May 19 2021
We discuss caring for, and working with, kids and youth who have experienced trauma of any kind, including the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and racialized trauma. Thank you to our panelists: Samantha Behmke, Head Start Behavior Intervention Specialist with Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative; DeShara Doub, school mental health practitioner and Founder/CEO of Vision of Promise LLC; Jill Gay, Director of Programs and Services at Family Nurturing Center; and Marcie Timmerman, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Kentucky.
Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care | May 12 2021
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss supporting youth aging out of foster care in Kentucky. Thank you to our panelists, including Nikki Thornton, Executive Director of True Up; Paula Garner, President and CEO of Maryhurst; and Cynthia Schepers, a young adult who aged out of foster care.
Recap of the 2021 KY General Assembly | March 31 2021
Children’s Advocacy Week 2021 Playlist | February 1-5, 2021
Watch–and share!–recordings of Children’s Advocacy Week. All events were recorded and are available on this YouTube playlist.
Children’s Advocacy Week is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including our Signature Sponsor, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and Social Media Sponsors, AT&T and WellCare.
ADVOCATE VIRTUAL FORUMS
Collective, cross-sector, equity-based advocacy continues to be vitally important for kids. On Wednesday, June 16th at 10AM EST we will discuss young children with special needs, including early identification of special needs and how communities, service providers, and policymakers can support these kids and their families. And on Wednesday, June 23rd at 10AM EST we will discuss the 2021 National KIDS COUNT Data Book, which will be released that week. We will review Kentucky data included in the book and hear reflections from partners across Kentucky.
Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for their support of the Advocate Virtual Forums. Learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.
Trauma-Informed Plans for Schools | June 09 2021
We discuss how school districts are developing their trauma-informed plans, what needs to be included, and how plans will be implemented. As a result of 2019’s Senate Bill 1, the School Safety and Resiliency Act, each local board of education must develop a plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in its schools by July 1, 2021. A special thank you to our panelists, including Dr. Joe Bargione, Bounce Coalition trainer and Executive Committee member; Michael Ford, Superintendent of Russell County Schools; and Dr. Steven Kniffley, Chief Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Spalding University.
Fostering Teens | May 26 2021
We discuss teens in foster care and the importance of fostering teens. Thank you to our panelists: Christa Bell, Director of the DCBS Division of Protection and Permanency; Eltuan Dawson, member of True Up and former foster youth; Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health of Kentucky SKY program; and Sarah Stalker, foster parent with experience fostering teens.
Supporting Children Who’ve Experienced Trauma | May 19 2021
We discuss caring for, and working with, kids and youth who have experienced trauma of any kind, including the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and racialized trauma. Thank you to our panelists: Samantha Behmke, Head Start Behavior Intervention Specialist with Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative; DeShara Doub, school mental health practitioner and Founder/CEO of Vision of Promise LLC; Jill Gay, Director of Programs and Services at Family Nurturing Center; and Marcie Timmerman, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Kentucky.
Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care | May 12 2021
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss supporting youth aging out of foster care in Kentucky. Thank you to our panelists, including Nikki Thornton, Executive Director of True Up; Paula Garner, President and CEO of Maryhurst; and Cynthia Schepers, a young adult who aged out of foster care.
Recap of the 2021 KY General Assembly | March 31 2021
Children’s Advocacy Week 2021 Playlist | February 1-5, 2021
Watch–and share!–recordings of Children’s Advocacy Week. All events were recorded and are available on this YouTube playlist.
Children’s Advocacy Week is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including our Signature Sponsor, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and Social Media Sponsors, AT&T and WellCare.
View Additional Virtual Forums on YouTube.
BLUEPRINT PARTNERS
We welcome all interested organizations who support the Blueprint priorities to become a partner. Partners are listed on this website and other promotional materials. Partners can be involved in the Blueprint in various ways, including:
Attending and promoting Blueprint events
Serving on work teams
Spreading the word about the Blueprint Policy Priorities
Calling, writing, and e-mailing policy makers
To become a Blueprint partner, fill out the online form.
BLUEPRINT PARTNERS
We welcome all interested organizations who support the Blueprint priorities to become a partner. Partners are listed on this website and other promotional materials. Partners can be involved in the Blueprint in various ways, including:
Attending and promoting Blueprint events
Serving on work teams
Spreading the word about the Blueprint policy priorities
Calling, Writing, and E-mailing Policy Makers
To become a Blueprint partner, fill out the online form.
4C for Children
4Kids, A Faith Community Partnership
Aetna Better Health of Kentucky
Alternative Parents Action Council (APAC)
Americana World Community Center
Anthem Medicaid
Bart Baldwin Consulting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
Boone County CASA
BOUNCE
Boys & Girls Clubs Kentucky Alliance
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana
CareSource
CASA by the Lakes
CASA for Kids of Kenton and Campbell County
CASA of the Bluegrass
CASA of Bullitt County
CASA of the Heartland
CASA of Madison and Clark Counties
CASA of Northeast Kentucky
CASA of Ohio Valley
CASA of the River Region
Catholic Conference of Kentucky
The Center for Women and Families
Centerstone Kentucky
Child Care Advocates of Kentucky
Children’s Alliance
Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky Behavioral Health
Children’s Law Center
Children’s Safe Haven
Coalition for the Homeless
Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)
Community Options, Inc.
The Council on Developmental Disabilities
Creative Minds Academy
Daniel Pitino Shelter
Delta Dental of Kentucky
Dorman Preschool
Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition
Exploited Children’s Help Organization (ECHO)
Face It®
Family & Children’s Place
Family Enrichment Center, Inc.
Family Nurturing Center
Fostering Futures-KFACA
Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Heart of Kentucky United Way
Home of the Innocents
Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky
Jack and Jill of America, Derby City Chapter
JackBeNimble, Inc.
Jewish Family & Career Services
Kentucky Association of Food Banks
Kentucky CASA Network
Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Kentucky Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Boards
Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Kentucky Council of Churches
Kentucky Dental Hygienists Association
Kentucky Division of Early Childhood
Kentucky Juvenile Justice Initiative
Kentucky Oral Health Coalition
Kentucky Out of School Alliance
Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children
Kentucky PTA
Kentucky School Talk
Kentucky Voices for Health
Kentucky YMCA Youth Association
Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky’s Voice for Early Childhood
The Kidz Club
Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky
Kosair Charities®
Learning Grove
Lighthouse Academy at Newburg
Lotus Children’s Advocacy & Sexual Violence Resource Center
Louisville Family Justice Advocates
McNary Group
Mercy Health Kentucky
Metro United Way
Mother Hubbard’s Playhouse
Mountain Comprehensive Care – TFC
National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section
New Opportunity School for Women
Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC)
Orphan Care Alliance
Our Lady of Peace
Passport Health Plan
Peace Education Program
Pediatricians Urging Safety and Health (PUSH)
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence
Public Life Foundation of Owensboro
REACH Program LLC
St. Joseph Children’s Home
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
Save the Children
Sunrise Children’s Services
The Growing Place
Tri-County CASA
UCAN, Inc
UnitedHealthcare
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
United Way of Kentucky
University of Kentucky – Department of Pediatrics
University of Louisville School of Medicine – Department of Pediatrics
Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS)
Volunteers of America Mid-States
Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
YMCA of Greater Louisville
YMCA Safe Place Services Y-NOW Mentoring Program
YouthBuild Louisville