An online workshop exploring the potential of a statewide food policy network is scheduled for this Friday, November 22 at 1:00pm EST. The workshop, sponsored by Community Farm Alliance is a great opportunity to participate in statewide collaboration to improve our food system. Register here.
Just imagine. With one commitment – with one behavioral change – with one decision – we could slash the number of newborn babies’ risk of developmental and intellectual disabilities; cerebral palsy; vision and hearing loss; death before that first birthday cake; and sudden infant death syndrome. Generally, when we talk about changing conditions for Kentucky’s kids, the solutions are multi-layered and complex. But not this time. All those risks are implicit when a baby is [...]
Last week, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Kentucky Youth Advocates co-released a new KIDS COUNT policy report, The First Eight Years: Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success. Part I in this blog series on the report was posted last week and highlighted one important aspect of the report—the impact of poverty on young children. And now for Part 2 in this series, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the first eight years. Adverse [...]
A survey sponsored by the Children’s Dental Health Project found that most Americans are unaware that children’s dental services are covered under the 10 essential health benefits in the Affordable Care Act. According to the survey, 33% of Americans say that either they or a family member are currently suffering from dental problems that need to be addressed. Some barriers that prevent individuals from getting the care they need are out-of-pocket expenses and lack of [...]
November is National Adoption Month, so it seems fitting to take a moment to discuss how Kentucky’s foster care system is working for children waiting for a permanent home. The North American Council on Adoptable Children recently released adoption fact sheets for every state in the U.S. with data collected in 2011. The fact sheets provide analysis on data indicators like the amount of time a child waits to be adopted, or the number of [...]
The KIDS COUNT policy report, The First Eight Years: Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success, was co-released this week by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Kentucky Youth Advocates. We release a lot of reports, as does Casey – I know that. But this one made me think as deeply as any “report card” styled brief that I have read in a long time. The report builds a strong case for investing in quality early [...]
“Trick or Treat” – Millions of children across the country will repeat this phrase many, many times today on Halloween. Good thing the day after Halloween is deemed “NATIONAL BRUSH DAY!” This new day of awareness, scheduled November 1st is obviously an ideal time to talk with children about the importance of dental hygiene. Leftover Halloween candy is on every child’s mind (and maybe even their parents’ minds) the day or week after Halloween. Some candy is less harmful to [...]
On Monday, I had the privilege to participate in the Step Up For Kids event in Owensboro, Kentucky which was hosted and organized by the Public Life Foundation and the Hager Educational Foundation. We spent the morning with over 70 citizens, educators, health professionals, local elected officials, and others to talk about the key issues facing children in Kentucky and how to advocate for the 2014 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children agenda. View the news coverage [...]
Every year, since 2004, advocates, business leaders, youth and elected officials have gathered at the Capitol in Frankfort on Children’s Advocacy Day to be a visible and audible presence for Kentucky’s kids. Attendees rally together to kick off the day, meet with their legislators, learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children, and end by watching legislators in action in the senate or house. It’s a day full of advocacy and the hope for success. [...]
Owensboro, KY: Monday, October 28, 3013 The first Step Up for Kids event in Owensboro promises to be thought-provoking and action-oriented. With the help of the Hager Educational Foundation and the Public Life Foundation, several community leaders, including District Court Judge Lisa Jones and Head Start Director, Peggy Grant, are scheduled to speak on key issues facing Kentuckians in Owensboro. The day will end with a legislative panel that will include Respresentatives Tommy Thompson and [...]
