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KYGA24: Prioritizing Maternal Health

Among the topics that were a focus area for legislators in 2024 is maternal health – both the troubling outcomes for mothers across the Commonwealth and tangible steps we can take to address these issues. Following SB 135 of 2023 which targeted maternal depression, and an administrative change that ensures mothers on Medicaid are covered for 12 months postpartum, the 2024 General Assembly focused on additional ways to keep moms and babies healthy. HB 10, [...]

By |2024-05-08T08:43:20-04:00May 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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Unleash Your Advocacy Potential: Join the Movement with Health Youth Ambassadors!

As the temperature rises, so does our anticipation for the 2024-2025 Health Youth Ambassadors program! Are you a high school student eager to cultivate your advocacy and leadership skills? Do you envision yourself as a catalyst for positive change within your community and beyond? If the answer is yes, then seize this opportunity to become a Health Youth Ambassador with Kentucky Youth Advocates! The Health Youth Ambassadors (HYA) program is designed to empower youth [...]

By |2024-05-06T13:50:07-04:00May 6th, 2024|Blog, Health|
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Call for Photos: Show Us Your Cute KY Kids!

Kentucky Youth Advocates is looking for photos of Kentucky kids to include in the 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book and other Kentucky Youth Advocates publications. We know you all proudly share pictures of your kids and grandkids by hanging them on your refrigerator and posting them on social media. Here’s your chance to promote those cute kids through Kentucky Youth Advocates’ materials. We need your photos by August 1st so please start sending them in today! In order [...]

By |2024-05-01T13:59:20-04:00May 1st, 2024|Blog|
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OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the [...]

By |2024-04-30T11:47:02-04:00April 30th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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OP-ED: A focus on prevention in the mission to end child abuse

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on April 24, 2024. By Barry Dunn and Shannon Moody Child abuse cases grab headlines and our hearts. We are often left asking: “how could this happen?” and “who would hurt an innocent child?” Substantiated cases of child abuse lead to intervention measures, which are necessary when a child can no longer safely be with their parents due to abuse or neglect. Intervention can include [...]

By |2024-04-25T12:28:25-04:00April 25th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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KYGA24: An Overview of Efforts to End Youth Vaping

As the dust settles from the 2024 General Assembly, several topics continue to grab headlines including the action surrounding youth vaping. The bills passed this session certainly brought this issue to the forefront but left more questions than answers about the impact for youth in Kentucky.   What did Kentucky Youth Advocates prioritize on youth vaping in 2024?   As we continue to see the negative impacts of nicotine products on young people and increased concern among [...]

By |2024-04-24T13:44:04-04:00April 24th, 2024|Blog, Education, Health|
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Connecting Communities to Support Families and Well-Being: Regional Convenings

The Regional Prevention Collaboratives, one of the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky initiatives, have been paving 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 brainstorm ideas for community-led efforts that could prevent families from coming to the attention of the child welfare [...]

By |2024-04-25T09:47:43-04:00April 23rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Smile for Child Abuse: A Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky Message

According to research, there are scientific benefits to smiling. What's better than a grin? Full-on laughter. During the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky team's last meeting, we gathered at one of the collaborating partner's organizations–the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families–to exchange our favorite dad jokes. The winning knee-slapper? "I'd like to thank all the sidewalks for keeping me off the streets."  But what is funny about child abuse and how does humor and [...]

By |2024-04-23T13:27:03-04:00April 23rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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Bloom Kentucky: Recapping KYGA24 Efforts to Address ACEs

Bloom Kentucky is committed to addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through policy change. We know that the multi-generational impacts of childhood adversity require an upstream approach and that often is done through legislative action and budget investments. Policy Priorities For this session, Bloom Kentucky identified policy priorities focused on ensuring a strong student-teacher pipeline, supporting access to school-based mental health, promoting housing stability and  expanding prenatal and delivery care.  Here’s a recap of how our [...]

By |2024-04-18T17:02:26-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, Health|
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Deep Dive into the 2024 State Budget & the Impact on Kentucky Kids

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY.  Facing a budget session, the 2024 General Assembly was [...]

By |2024-04-18T16:50:37-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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