The 10th Children’s Advocacy Day saw hundreds of children’s champions invade Frankfort today to join voices in calling for our leaders to make Kentucky the best place in America to be young. You could not be in the Rotunda for the 10AM Rally or there for the 1PM KIDS COUNT briefing and award ceremony and not sense the power of that collective force. I am so thankful for the many partners and sponsors that brought [...]
Hundreds of child advocates from across Kentucky are in Frankfort today, January 16, 2014 for Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol. They are urging legislators to fund kids first in the next two year state budget and to support the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children, a common agenda supported by child advocates across the state. Over the next few weeks, there will be several ways you can take action on important children's issues such as child [...]
By: Maryam Ahmed, 2013-2014 KYA Intern My family came to the United States 16 years ago as Somali refugees who fled from a civil war. My parents were responsible for raising nine kids, two of which were my father’s siblings whose parents passed. My father took on a full-time job while my mother stayed at home to care for us. Both of my parents did the best they could to provide for us in a [...]
Did you know that only 34% of Kentuckians live in a community with a smoke-free law? Children and pregnant moms need to be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke. A statewide, comprehensive smoke-free law is part of the 2014 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children Agenda. House Bill 173 would ensure indoor workplaces and public places are smoke-free. Take Action Please call the message line at 1-800-372-7181 and ask to leave the following message for all state Representatives: “Please [...]
Across the country we are seeking ways to create better outcomes for at-risk youth. There are juvenile court judges who have have used their leadership roles to help foster collaborations to address problems in the juvenile justice system that contribute to high drop out rates, over incarceration, and disproportionate minority contact. These multidisciplinary collaboratives involve many stakeholders such as schools, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and members of the community. Judges have a unique and critical [...]
The week is upon us! The 10th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol in this Thursday, January 16. We look forward to seeing everyone in Frankfort! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for the event and check out the CAD booklet to help you prepare for Thursday. Here are some final details about the event: 9:30am - Check-in and registration will be available in the Capitol Rotunda and on the back terrace of the [...]
Last week I wrote about New Year’s resolutions. This week it’s about New Year’s predictions. TIME Magazine’s January 13 issue is totally focused on the year ahead. It predicts all kinds of issues for 2014 in all kinds of areas – power, commerce, innovation, culture and sports. If TIME is right, then: Janet Yellen may become the most powerful person in the world when she takes over the Fed; The PC will be as extinct [...]
In the last couple of weeks, amidst getting back into the swing of things following holiday laziness and excess, my email inbox, twitter feed, and blog roll have been inundated with information, resources, and commentary on income inequality and the war on poverty. If the sheer volume of information I’ve received is any indication, this is a big deal. Fifty years ago today, President Johnson declared in his first State of Union speech: “Let this [...]
The 2014 General Assembly kicked-off yesterday. Undoubtedly the legislature’s biggest challenge will be to adopt a new budget to guide the next 2 years of spending as a state. Budgets are about priorities and we believe that Kentucky’s children should be on the top of the list. Join us in asking state leaders to build a budget that gives every child the best opportunity to thrive in childhood and succeed as an adult. Budgets always [...]
Today is the start of the 2014 Kentucky General Assembly. There are already news stories and reports about what will/will not happen during the legislative session. There is talk about the budget. There is talk about gaming. And there is talk about a whole host of other things. But as the 2014 General Assembly begins, we want you to know that YOU can make a difference for kids this session. Legislators listen to their constituents, [...]
