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Digging Into Nontraditional Placements and Impact on Children in Foster Care

Through State Auditor Allison Ball’s office, the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman recently released a new report examining Kentucky’s use of nontraditional placements (NTPs) for children in foster care. The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet Office of the Inspector General released a separate report that provides additional context on the use of nontraditional placements and reinforces the challenges related to placement instability and gaps in the placement continuum.  Nontraditional placements occur when a child in [...]

By |2026-03-23T10:52:49-04:00March 23rd, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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The Role of SNAP and School Meals in Child Nutrition

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of healthy eating habits as well as recognize the barriers that many families face in accessing nutritious food. Child nutrition is a key concern in Kentucky, where one in five children live in food-insecure households.  Two programs that help meet the nutritional needs of Kentucky children are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and USDA school nutrition programs.  School nutrition programs like the National [...]

By |2026-03-19T12:03:00-04:00March 19th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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Preparing Voices for Change: Youth Advocacy in Action at the Capitol

On March 4, 2026, the grounds of the Kentucky State Capitol were filled with something powerful: young voices ready to be heard. Advocates from across the Commonwealth gathered for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol (CAD), united by one goal: to speak up for Kentucky’s kids and help shape a better future. At the heart of CAD each year is a commitment to elevating youth voice. This year, Kentucky Youth Advocates partnered with  Educational [...]

By |2026-03-17T16:30:03-04:00March 17th, 2026|Blog|
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Taking Action to Improve Diaper Access for Families

One significant cost for families with young children that often goes overlooked is diapers.  Diapers can cost families at least $1,000 annually for every child in diapers. They are essential for infant and toddler health and hygiene, yet many families with young children experience diaper needs and struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy. When families cannot afford enough diapers, both parents and children are negatively impacted. Parents may be [...]

By |2026-03-12T13:56:50-04:00March 12th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health|
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Statement on Auditor’s Report on Nontraditional Placements for Kentucky’s Foster Youth

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – State Auditor Allison Ball and Ombudsman Jonathan Grate once again exemplify how the Office of the Ombudsman can serve as a catalyst for change for some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable kids. In a report released today, decisionmakers and advocates can look deeper at the reality facing foster children in Nontraditional Placements (NTP) across the Commonwealth, such as [...]

By |2026-03-09T12:50:31-04:00March 9th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Youth Voice: “Find your passion! Use your voice! Vote for Kentucky Kids!”

By Aleah Stigall, former member of the Health Youth Ambassadors Aleah shared the following speech as the opening of the 2026 Town Hall on Kids in the Capitol Education Center at the annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Welcome to this year’s Children’s Advocacy Day Town Hall on Kids! I am Aleah Stigall, a senior at Boyle County High School. From a young age, I was raised to advocate for myself, especially as a [...]

By |2026-03-18T16:49:09-04:00March 5th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Health|
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State Leaders Join Hundreds of Youth and Advocates for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol 2026

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org FRANKFORT, KY – Hundreds of child advocates are convening this week for Children’s Advocacy Week, urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children, a unified policy agenda focused on creating brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and families. Today is Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, where community organizations, professionals who work with kids and families, and young people from across the Commonwealth gather in Frankfort to meet with their legislators, attend [...]

By |2026-03-05T13:14:41-05:00March 4th, 2026|Blog, News Room|
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Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: South Louisville Community Ministries

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in communities across the Commonwealth. We’re proud to spotlight the work of South Louisville Community Ministries (SLCM) and its commitment to ensuring families have stable housing.  Located in Jefferson County, SLCM is a nonprofit organization providing emergency assistance and compassionate advocacy for neighbors in crisis. SLCM offers a comprehensive range of services to [...]

By |2026-02-26T14:39:17-05:00February 26th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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The Census and You – Breaking Down Kentucky’s Data from the American Community Survey

If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know that the census isn’t just once a decade. It’s an ongoing process. Each year the Census Bureau releases data at different points during the year that cover different subject matter.  Understanding the ACS In January, the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates were released. These topics are the same as the one-year estimates released in September, but the five-year estimates are considered more accurate. For the one-year [...]

By |2026-02-25T16:10:51-05:00February 25th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count|
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A Look at the Latest Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel Report

This was originally published on Face It Movement's blog. The 2025 Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel Report was released this month, summarizing the findings from comprehensive reviews of 248 cases that were determined to be the result of child abuse. Of those cases, 72 were fatalities and 176 were near fatalities with 82% involving children aged four and younger and 44% under the age of one.  Key Takeaways Neglect was the most [...]

By |2026-02-25T16:08:59-05:00February 25th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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