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Paid Family Leave – Strengthening Families and the Workforce

Time is quickly slipping away in the 2026 legislative session, but there is still time for the Kentucky General Assembly to pass important legislation to positively impact Kentucky families.   One policy that could have a huge impact on maternal health and child development for Kentucky families is paid family leave. In December 2024, Governor Beshear passed an executive order that would allow executive branch employees to have paid family medical leave for six weeks after [...]

By |2026-03-26T11:24:21-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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The Role of SNAP and School Meals in Child Nutrition

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of healthy eating habits as well as recognize the barriers that many families face in accessing nutritious food. Child nutrition is a key concern in Kentucky, where one in five children live in food-insecure households.  Two programs that help meet the nutritional needs of Kentucky children are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and USDA school nutrition programs.  School nutrition programs like the National [...]

By |2026-03-19T12:03:00-04:00March 19th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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Statement on Passage of HB 338 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Alongside our partners in the Bloom Kentucky initiative, we’re celebrating as the House of Representatives unanimously supported Representative Susan Witten’s House Bill 338. This commonsense approach to promoting housing stability will ensure dismissed evictions are expunged and that no minor is named on an eviction filing.  The potential impact of HB 338 is great as the average [...]

By |2026-03-18T16:21:28-04:00March 18th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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Taking Action to Improve Diaper Access for Families

One significant cost for families with young children that often goes overlooked is diapers.  Diapers can cost families at least $1,000 annually for every child in diapers. They are essential for infant and toddler health and hygiene, yet many families with young children experience diaper needs and struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy. When families cannot afford enough diapers, both parents and children are negatively impacted. Parents may be [...]

By |2026-03-12T13:56:50-04:00March 12th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health|
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Statement on Passage of HB 338 by House Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – When families have access to safe, stable housing, children can grow and thrive. Yet, families with children are two times more likely to face eviction than other households, often leading to long-term barriers to securing stable housing even if the case is dismissed. And sometimes those children are listed on eviction filings, damaging their housing record before [...]

By |2026-03-11T11:35:29-04:00March 11th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky’s economy counts on a strong child care workforce and availability of high quality child care for every child so parents can go to work knowing their child is safe, learning, and cared for. Yet, child care deserts and increasing waitlists are causing child care programs to operate at the highest adult-to-child ratios that the state will allow, [...]

By |2026-03-10T10:14:15-04:00March 10th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: South Louisville Community Ministries

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in communities across the Commonwealth. We’re proud to spotlight the work of South Louisville Community Ministries (SLCM) and its commitment to ensuring families have stable housing.  Located in Jefferson County, SLCM is a nonprofit organization providing emergency assistance and compassionate advocacy for neighbors in crisis. SLCM offers a comprehensive range of services to [...]

By |2026-02-26T14:39:17-05:00February 26th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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The Census and You – Breaking Down Kentucky’s Data from the American Community Survey

If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know that the census isn’t just once a decade. It’s an ongoing process. Each year the Census Bureau releases data at different points during the year that cover different subject matter.  Understanding the ACS In January, the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates were released. These topics are the same as the one-year estimates released in September, but the five-year estimates are considered more accurate. For the one-year [...]

By |2026-02-25T16:10:51-05:00February 25th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count|
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Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Representative Samara Heavrin said it best, “House Bill 6 lays the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable child care network.” We’re celebrating this afternoon as this much-needed legislation clears the House with bi-partisan support.  Among its many components, House Bill 6 strengthens access and options to safe, affordable child care for working parents. It removes barriers to [...]

By |2026-02-17T19:09:07-05:00February 17th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, News Room|
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Using Local Opioid Abatement Funds to Fuel Prevention Efforts

Local opioid settlement funds, which are available and distributed to every county and many cities around Kentucky, hold great opportunity for healing and recovery. Alongside the possibilities for local communities comes great responsibility to use the funds wisely. This is especially important as these funds come as a result of the opioid epidemic which took the lives of many Kentuckians and harmed many more.  As county leaders make decisions about how to invest, all localities [...]

By |2026-02-17T11:59:17-05:00February 17th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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