The U.S. Census Bureau is currently conducting a test in preparation for the 2020 Census next year. Your household might be asked to participate in this test, or a participant may turn to you for more information about it. Here is what you should know about the 2019 Census Test: 1. This is just a test – the actual decennial census takes place in 2020. 2. 480,000 households are receiving a questionnaire – half will [...]
This week, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 30th edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book. The annual Data Book uses 16 indicators of well-being to rank each state across four domains — health, education, economic well-being and family and community — and calculate an overall rank. Kentucky ranks 34th in the nation in overall child well-being, 37th in economic well-being, 27th in education, 25th in health, and 43rd in the family and community domain. [...]
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal and Kentucky Today on June 18, 2019. By Terry Brooks, executive director Kentucky Youth Advocates Shel Silverstein, the late and wonderful children’s author, urges: “Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” With the release of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2019 [...]
Kentucky Ranks 34th Overall in Child Outcomes Highlighting Continued Areas of Need KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides comprehensive annual report on child well-being in the U.S. LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Kentucky ranks 34th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 30th edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kentucky’s measurable but still inadequate improvements are due in part to progress across several areas of economic [...]
Last month we reviewed the latest data on youth suicides, which show suicide as a growing cause of death for Kentucky youth ages 10-14. As we reflect on Mental Health Month we want to provide suicide prevention resources all of us can use throughout the year to stop these tragic deaths. Every single one of us need to know the risk factors and warning signs of suicide and how to tell the difference between normal [...]
Contact: Kelsey Dimar 502-895-8167 *110 kdimar@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services announced its amendment to the state’s Medicaid plan to allow districts to utilize federal Medicaid funding to expand school-based health services and connect more Kentucky students with the preventive health and behavioral health services they need. That is no mere regulatory revision; it is a game changer for kids and [...]
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Child welfare and juvenile justice have animated Leader McConnell’s commitment to kids. With his sponsorship of the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, you can add health to his legacy as a champion for children. Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Tim Kaine filed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products nationwide [...]
Throughout the month of May, we’re joining partners at the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition from across the state in celebrating National Dental Care Month. National Dental Care Month is a celebration aimed to help bring awareness to the importance of preventative dental care. One of the most important components of maintaining good overall health throughout our childhood and adulthood is by establishing positive dental habits at an early age, such as, visiting a dentist after the first baby [...]
In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, we’ve been reviewing the latest data, resources, and efforts to reduce youth suicide in Kentucky. This week’s blog post looks at what we can learn from the data, with next week’s post focused on prevention resources and actions taking place in Kentucky. The last time we blogged on youth suicide, we looked specifically at the deaths of teens ages 15-19. However, it will likely shock you [...]
As the 2019 legislative session wrapped up, a significant win for Kentucky’s children in schools across the Commonwealth was signed into law by Governor Bevin – Senate Bill 1, known as the School Safety and Resiliency Act. Since then, there have been a fair amount of questions among educators, health professionals, students, and advocates related to the details and implied impacts of the bill. When it comes to any issue – and that includes school [...]
