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A Look at the Connection Between ACEs and Physical Health

By Ellen Ward, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including trauma such as abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction, are widely recognized for their lasting effects on mental health. Not as obvious, however, is the physical toll ACEs take on the body, which is equally significant and long-lasting. Chronic stress stemming from childhood trauma can lead to a range of serious health issues. Traumatic experiences in childhood trigger a cascade of stress responses in [...]

By |2024-09-11T15:49:37-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Education, Health|
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Planting Seeds for Youth Substance Use Prevention

One of my favorite quotes is: "Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you may never get to see." This particular iteration is from Hamilton, but you’ve likely encountered a variation of this quote either biblically or from someone in your life. This idea perfectly encapsulates the bold and forward-thinking action taken by Attorney General Russell Coleman in the recent meeting with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. During the meeting, [...]

By |2024-09-11T13:58:12-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|
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Challenging the Funk: Experiencing and Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

This blog was originally posted by True Up in recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month. By Tatum Heath Growing up, my childhood was marked by experiences that left deep scars—neglect, instability, and abuse. These early adversities shaped my worldview and, at times, left me feeling like I was hopeless and stranded. But as I reflect on my journey, I’ve learned that there are ways to find light, even in the darkest places. If you’re [...]

By |2024-09-11T13:39:23-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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An Update on the Housing Crisis and Call to Action for Young People

In all 120 Kentucky counties, families are struggling to find affordable housing. In addition to being a frequently discussed topic in communities across the Commonwealth, the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy agenda prioritized the development of an interim joint legislative task force to focus on the state’s housing crisis. We are pleased that the legislature established the Kentucky Housing Task Force to study and review the current and future policy needs to address [...]

By |2024-09-11T13:07:48-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|
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Together We Bloom Summit: Cultivating Kentucky’s Future

MARK YOUR CALENDARS on May 7, 2025, as community leaders, policymakers, and advocates will gather at the Shelbyville Conference and Welcome Center in Shelbyville for the Together We Bloom Summit, hosted by Bloom Kentucky. This one-day event will focus on cultivating positive childhood experiences through both policy and systems change across the Commonwealth, offering a unique platform to explore new strategies for fostering resilience and mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Kentucky’s children. The [...]

By |2024-09-11T10:01:07-04:00September 10th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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Child Care Access – Gathering Input from Centers and Families

We are in the final countdown! The final federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan will run out on September 30th, and the child care industry will be expected to stand on its own two feet.   Unfortunately, child care was barely surviving prior to the pandemic, and with the inflation that has occurred in the past four years, the industry is not set-up to be successful. The biggest challenge to overcome is the cost [...]

By |2024-10-24T09:10:38-04:00September 10th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Education|
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Sowing Seeds of Hope this Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, a time to acknowledge the challenges of substance use and celebrate the progress of those on their journey to recovery. For me, this month resonates deeply. Throughout my childhood and life, I’ve witnessed firsthand how substance use can profoundly affect a family. My family, like many others, knows this struggle all too well. For years, substance use has been heavily stigmatized. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, stigma is “a strong [...]

By |2024-09-09T16:24:25-04:00September 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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Making Kids Count in the 2024 Election

Kids cannot vote, but you can ensure that their voices are heard by engaging with candidates in local, state, and federal elections and being an informed voter.  The leaders we elect determine policies and budgets that will impact our daily lives for what may be generations to come. But how often do we pause to consider–specifically–how our choices at the ballot box will impact us, and particularly children who depend on us to make [...]

By |2024-10-14T10:47:51-04:00September 4th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Kentucky Homeschool Strengths, Concerns, and Opportunities

By Casey Lane, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates As homeschooling in Kentucky appears to be on the rise, let’s further explore some of the components of homeschooling, including strengths, concerns, and opportunities to improve homeschool practices in Kentucky.  Flexibility and Family Preference Before and since the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have praised homeschooling’s flexibility, allowing families to travel and have a schedule that accommodates appointments, field trips, and other needs and preferences of the family. Homeschooling [...]

By |2024-08-29T16:24:51-04:00August 29th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|
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Guest Post: Trading the “Look of Disapproval” for “I Got Your Back” is a Big Win for Parents

This guest post was originally published by the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement during Bystander Awareness Month.  by Dr. Nancy L. Weaver You see a parent yelling at their child in public.  What should you do? Let’s say you stop by the grocery store after a long day at work in a hurry to get something quick for dinner. As you’re rushing through the store, you hear a mom berating at her son. You [...]

By |2024-08-29T13:24:40-04:00August 29th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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