11th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day Recap

Yesterday’s Children’s Advocacy Day was one of the biggest yet, with over 700 children, youth, and adults attending to ask leaders to step up for kids in 2015. Thank you to the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners, sponsors, speakers, performers, and elected and appointed officials who made the day possible. And thank you to the hundreds of people—including more than 150 youth—who prioritized Kentucky’s kids and took time to advocate on their behalf! During the [...]

This Week in the Kentucky Legislature: Bill Filings and a Big Step Forward

This week was the first week back of the legislature after they took a month-long break during January. A lot happened on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities this week, and with this being a short session, we expect action to pick up quickly. HB 145 to create a comprehensive, statewide indoor smoke-free law passed the House Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday, February 5 with testimony from a bipartisan group of legislators from the House [...]

By |2015-02-06T10:58:27-05:00February 6th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Kentucky Kids Need You: Children’s Advocacy Day Art 2015

Children’s Advocacy Day is an opportunity for advocates to tell elected officials to stand up for kids and protect Kentucky children. But oftentimes kids don’t have the opportunity to tell those leaders what it is that they need in their homes, schools, and communities. This year, children across the Commonwealth created art and wrote essays telling elected officials what “Kentucky kids need.” That art has been hanging in the tunnel that connects the Capitol to [...]

Blueprint for KY’s Children Legislative Updates

Check here for up to date information on important legislation related to the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children during the 2015 Kentucky General Assembly.   1. Protect children from abuse by ensuring educators receive information on child abuse recognition and reporting SB 119 sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams (companion bill to HB 301) Feb 4 - Introduced in the Senate Feb 6 - Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 12 - Passed Senate Judiciary Committee Feb [...]

Children’s Advocacy Day: One Week and Counting!

The 11th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day is only one week away. Will you be there next Thursday, February 5th? Hundreds of youth and adults from across the Commonwealth will attend Children’s Advocacy Day to encourage their legislators to step up for kids in 2015. By going to Frankfort on February 5th, you will be one of those advocates for Kentucky’s children. Whether you are a young person or an adult, your voice matters. Whether you [...]

Oral Health Equity: How Does Data Play a Role?

Oral health disparities in Kentucky drive the work of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition and its three workgroups. High cost of care, lack of prevention, and limited access to dental professionals remain among the top reasons Kentuckians historically have not maintained optimal oral health. But, how do we show the extent of disparities in the state? The answer is simple, yet can be complicated: data. In a recent webinar presented by the DentaQuest South/Southeast Regional [...]

By |2015-01-29T10:46:41-05:00January 29th, 2015|Blog, Health, Kids Count|

Takeaways from Kentucky’s New Kindergarten Readiness Scores

Last week, Governor Beshear announced the results of the Brigance Kindergarten Readiness Screener, which showed that 50 percent of incoming Kindergarteners entered school prepared to learn last fall. That’s a slight improvement from last year’s result of 49 percent and suggests good news for the Commonwealth. We hope this means we are moving in the right direction. Why does it matter? Kindergarten readiness scores are a great tool to help answer the question of how [...]

By |2015-01-28T11:43:00-05:00January 28th, 2015|Blog, Education, Kids Count|

Poll Shows Voters Support Extending Protective Orders

New data from the Kentucky Health Issues Poll released this week by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky shows 80 percent of voters support extending protective orders to people in dating relationships. Men and women; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents; and voters in all regions of the state support allowing dating partners to get protective orders. The strong support among voters reinforces the bipartisan support that has emerged on the issue from policymakers. Senator Whitney Westerfield [...]

By |2015-01-22T08:11:46-05:00January 22nd, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Still On: The Core Academic Standards Challenge

The Kentucky Core Academic Standards Challenge is still on. Terry Holliday, our Commissioner of Education, on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and in cooperation with a number of education advocacy groups across the state, originally issued this challenge on August 25, 2014. It will stay open until April 30, 2015. Kentucky became the very first state to adopt these standards in 2010. Even in the initial creation and subsequent adoption of them, [...]

By |2015-01-20T17:02:24-05:00January 20th, 2015|Blog, Education|

Guest Post: The Importance of Child Abuse Prevention and Recognition Training for Educators

By Dr. Melissa Currie, MD As a pediatrician who specializes in evaluating children who may have been abused, I see firsthand the physical and emotional impact that abuse and neglect can have on children and their caregivers. I also see the impact that it has on the professionals, neighbors, and family members who interacted with the child, but who overlooked the early-warning signs. Often the signs of abuse may not be glaring. I was recently [...]

By |2015-01-15T08:32:13-05:00January 15th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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