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Statement on Auditor’s Report on Foster Children Sleeping in DCBS Offices

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the release of the preliminary report on foster children staying in Department for Community Based Services office buildings, State Auditor Allison Ball and the Office of the Ombudsman exemplifies how to be a catalyst for change for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable kids. The report outlines a few important takeaways for us to consider when it [...]

By |2025-01-29T14:20:49-05:00January 29th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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The Supporting America’s Children and Families Act: What It Means for Kentucky

As Kentucky begins its state legislative session, it's important to recognize the significant federal efforts aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across the nation. On January 4, 2025, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R.9076) was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes critical child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act until the end of fiscal year 2029, providing transformative updates to strengthen families and improve child welfare outcomes.  [...]

By |2025-01-23T12:31:07-05:00January 23rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Positive Childhood Experiences: The enjoyment of participation in community traditions

Did you know that creating positive experiences in childhood can lay the groundwork for lifelong resilience and well-being? These experiences are known as Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Unlike Adverse Childhood Experiences, PCEs highlight the nurturing moments, relationships, and environments that build a child’s strength and emotional health. In the Bloom Kentucky blog series, we explore how we can nurture these positive experiences to support children across the Bluegrass. Today’s spotlight is on the enjoyment [...]

By |2025-01-22T14:04:53-05:00January 22nd, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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The Latest Child Maltreatment Report Shows Kentucky’s High Rate of Victims Persists

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – The latest national Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows a total of 14,484 child victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the reporting period (FFY 2023). While there has been a 28% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2019 to 2023, Kentucky has nearly double the national rate (7.4 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 14.2 per 1,000 children. Young [...]

By |2025-01-16T14:26:47-05:00January 16th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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High Ratings + (Sometimes) High Frustrations: Special Education in Kentucky

In 2024, the Kentucky Department of Education received the highest possible rating for its special education system. This rating is based on the Commonwealth’s ability to meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is the federal law that governs special education laws and funding. Kentucky has all the necessary policies and procedures in place that IDEA requires, and the state systems are designed to align with federal government laws.   Although [...]

By |2025-01-16T12:57:03-05:00January 16th, 2025|Blog, Education|
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Bloom Kentucky Announces 2025 State Policy Priorities

The Kentucky General Assembly gaveled in this snowy week for the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. While this year is a non-budget session, it presents critical opportunities to advance legislative items that can help mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and foster positive outcomes for families and children across the Commonwealth. Bloom Kentucky is a collaborative initiative of grantmaking organizations from across the Commonwealth focused on statewide policy changes and budget investments that aim to prevent and [...]

By |2025-01-08T10:18:01-05:00January 8th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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8 Ways to Advocate for Kids During #KYGA25

The Kentucky General Assembly reconvened in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 7th. Check out these 8 ways advocates can speak up for kids throughout the 2025 state legislative session: Review the 2025 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy priorities agenda Look up who represents you in Frankfort and how to contact your state Senator and Representative, as well as information on bills, committee schedules and agendas, and more from the Legislative Research Commission Bookmark our 2025 Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker webpage so [...]

By |2025-01-16T10:57:35-05:00January 3rd, 2025|Blog|
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Re-Visioned and Renewed Collaboration: Regional Action Plans are Live!

The Regional Prevention Collaboratives, one of the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky initiatives, continue to pave the way for proactive, community-driven resources and support for children and families.  These collaboratives began during the summer of 2022 with convenings, called Visioning Sessions, where we gathered those living and working in communities to discuss local strengths and gaps, and then brainstormed ideas for community-led efforts that could prevent families from coming to the attention of the child [...]

By |2025-01-02T17:13:58-05:00January 2nd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Blooming Together: Reflecting on 2024 and Planting Seeds for Kentucky’s Future

It’s hard to believe that 2024 is coming to a close. This year, Bloom Kentucky traveled many miles, hosted a number of conversations, advocated for policy to mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and has worked to cultivate a Commonwealth where every kid and family can flourish. As we look back on this year, Bloom Kentucky has accomplished some major milestones. Cultivating Collaboration and Collective Vision for Legislative Impact By hosting monthly Bloom Policy Team meetings [...]

By |2024-12-31T11:22:57-05:00December 31st, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|
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Experiencing the Holidays Without My Children

By: Brandi W., KY SEAT Member Experiencing the holidays without my children is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was Christmas morning, and I had spent the last 16 Christmas mornings with my kids—except for this one. My daughter had been taken out of my custody the October before due to educational neglect. She had not been abused or neglected; she simply did [...]

By |2024-12-19T18:11:05-05:00December 19th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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