Education

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Every parent, caregiver, and community member expects schools to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Yet, across Kentucky, we continue to hear stories of students being harmed by those entrusted with their education. Too often these cases of educator sexual misconduct are met with delayed action, quiet dismissals, or a lack of accountability. This leaves students vulnerable and families without answers. Representative Tipton has filed legislation to address this issue for [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-08-11T16:45:26-04:00August 7th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

by Tara Grieshop-Goodwin The air conditioning unit at our house recently went out - at the peak of some of our hottest days of the summer. We had an older unit that our HVAC service person had been able to keep running with fixes and repairs for many years (even decades) past when most units last. But eventually the damage was too great for repair and we had a big expense to cover. We debated [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-07-24T12:51:49-04:00July 24th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|

The Power of Data: How We Know What Kentucky’s Kids Need

The Power of Data: How We Know What Kentucky’s Kids Need

While many people are familiar with the Kentucky KIDS COUNT project, there is much more county, school district, and race level data that is collected and analyzed. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, who leads the national KIDS COUNT project, hosts a Data Center for all 50 states where additional information can be found. In addition to the data they display for the entire state and each congressional district, KYA tracks more information at the county [...]

By Lauren Bowling|2025-07-11T12:02:41-04:00July 11th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid|

Opioid Data Dashboard Webinar Recap: Using Data to Leverage the Opioid Settlement Funds

Opioid Data Dashboard Webinar Recap: Using Data to Leverage the Opioid Settlement Funds

Last week, Kentucky Youth Advocates hosted a webinar about the Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families and how it can be used as a tool for informing the use of opioid settlement funds. KYA staff members were joined by Lauren Carr, Opioid Settlement Advisor with the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo), a partner in making information available to communities as they invest the funds from the opioid settlement. The opioid settlement funds, which [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-06-11T13:05:40-04:00June 10th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|

Kentucky Ranks 36th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families

Kentucky Ranks 36th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families

Contact: Patricia Tennen | ptennen@kyyouth.org | 502-895-8167 x 122 Kentucky Ranks 36th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book as Kentucky Youth Advocates Urges Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families Data shows that too many Kentucky kids are falling behind on key indicators of child well-being, the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds LOUISVILLE, KY —Kentucky has made progress in half of 16 indicators of child well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-06-06T11:27:28-04:00June 9th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, News Room|

Census–it’s more than you think

Census–it’s more than you think

Most of us think the Census is the once every ten year survey that gets filled out to take a count of people, but it’s actually so much more! As an organization that depends on accurate, timely, and thorough data, the Census is one of Kentucky Youth Advocates' go-to sources for information. While the Census Bureau conducts a survey once every ten years (called the Decennial), it also evaluates the data, makes adjustments based on [...]

By Lauren Bowling|2025-08-08T13:47:28-04:00June 5th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid|

What Gets Measured Gets Changed: Leveraging Opioid Data Dashboard Updates

What Gets Measured Gets Changed: Leveraging Opioid Data Dashboard Updates

The saying, “what gets measured gets changed,” has long been a cornerstone of the Kentucky KIDS COUNT project, which has reported county-level data on critical measures of child well-being for more than 35 years. As Kentucky faces an unprecedented opportunity to address the opioid epidemic through Opioid Settlement funds, we can prevent future generations from suffering the impacts. Kentucky Youth Advocates released new data this month on the Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-05-14T14:47:54-04:00May 14th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|

Showing Support for Early Childhood Workforce on Provider Appreciation Day

Showing Support for Early Childhood Workforce on Provider Appreciation Day

Each year, the first full week of May is reserved for Teacher Appreciation Week, a week for students and families to say thank you to the teachers that have worked so hard all year to help their students be successful. This week has typically focused on the K-12 school system; however, there is a large group of teachers who deserve just as much recognition – the early childhood educators working in child care programs for [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-05-08T09:02:03-04:00May 8th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education|

Experts, Policymakers, and Advocates Join Bloom Kentucky’s Together We Bloom Summit on ACEs Prevention

Experts, Policymakers, and Advocates Join Bloom Kentucky’s Together We Bloom Summit on ACEs Prevention

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org SHELBYVILLE, KY – Today, the Together We Bloom Summit, hosted by Bloom Kentucky, is bringing together hundreds of advocates, policymakers, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth focused on mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and cultivating Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) through policy and systems change. The sold out, one-day conference offers attendees the opportunity to hear from experts on ACEs and resilience, attend workshops on messaging and advocating for policy [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-05-08T08:19:11-04:00May 7th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room|

A Look at Autism from the Perspective of a Mom and Advocate

A Look at Autism from the Perspective of a Mom and Advocate

There has been a great deal of information about Autism in the media lately. These discussions about Autism have brought to life accurate information about this condition, as well as misconceptions. As many organizations look at how to support individuals with Autism, it is essential to make sure that these supports are built on facts regarding the diagnosis. What is Autism? Autism is a developmental disability that predominantly affects the social and emotional domains of [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-05-01T14:26:59-04:00May 1st, 2025|Blog, Education, Health|