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Showing up to School Pays Off (Literally)

October is dedicated to National Dropout Prevention Month and in this blog, we will dive into attendance and the role this indicator plays in academic achievement, drop out rates, as well as, funding in Kentucky schools.  Research shows that school absences take a toll on grades and performance on standardized tests. Beyond test scores, irregular attendance can be a predictor of high school drop-out, which has been linked to poor labor market prospects, diminished health, [...]

By |2023-10-31T17:38:50-04:00October 31st, 2023|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Education, Kids Count|
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Federal Update to Support Relative Foster Care Providers, LGBTQI+ Foster Children, and Family Legal Representation

Recently, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed three new federal rules related to the child welfare system in an effort to expand supports for children and families who come into contact with the system as a result of child abuse and neglect. Those three new rules are explained below based on how we anticipate Kentucky’s system will be impacted.  Supporting Relative Foster Care Providers As of September 5, 2023, there were over 1,000 children placed in relative [...]

By |2023-10-26T11:35:17-04:00October 26th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|
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Breaking Barriers: Understanding the Impact of Parental Incarceration on Kentucky Families

Parental Incarceration Awareness Month falls in October and sheds light on an often overlooked issue that affects countless families across the nation. Over 32,00 people in Kentucky are incarcerated in jails and prisons, leaving Kentucky ranked the 7th highest incarceration rate in the world – imagine just how many families this impacts! In Kentucky alone, 1 in 10 kids have experienced the incarceration of a parent. As we delve into this topic, it's crucial to [...]

By |2023-10-24T16:11:56-04:00October 24th, 2023|Blog, Justice, Race Equity|
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Youth Voice: Action Needed to Enforce Tobacco 21 Law

Kentucky kids need environments free from nicotine products to learn, grow, and thrive. Availability of products with high nicotine content is growing rapidly and marketing with bright colors and alluring flavors targets kids in stores across the state. Although Kentucky lawmakers have taken important steps to limit youth access to these products, like raising the legal purchase age to 21, action is still needed.   Griffin Nemeth testifying at the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing [...]

By |2023-10-19T16:16:17-04:00October 19th, 2023|Blog, Education, Health|
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Bloom KY Growing Hope: Kentucky’s First Opioid Symposium

The opioid epidemic has been a devastating crisis across the United States, and Kentucky has not been immune to its effects. However, amid the challenges and heartbreak, there is a glimmer of hope. Kentucky's First Opioid Symposium, hosted by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, stands as a shining example of the dedication and determination to combat this epidemic. This symposium, held at the Central Bank Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky, brought together a [...]

By |2023-10-18T10:47:44-04:00October 18th, 2023|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, Justice|
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KYA Welcomes New Class of Board Members

Kentucky Youth Advocates is excited to welcome Karina Barillas, Angie Hatton, and Shane Noem to our Board of Directors. This new class of board members bring expertise and passion to the table as we work collectively to make Kentucky the best place in America to be young.  We asked them a couple of questions to introduce them to the KYA network. Get to know our new board members below! Karina Barillas is a native [...]

By |2023-10-11T17:32:29-04:00October 11th, 2023|Blog|
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Strategies to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Kentucky

By Yelena Bagdasaryan, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  Achieving optimal maternal health is critical to mothers across the Commonwealth and affects future generations in our communities. Nationally, improving maternal health has been a focus area due to high maternal mortality rates across the country. Kentucky also experiences similar negative maternal health outcomes.  In 2018, Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate was 40.8 per 100,000 live births. This is significantly higher than the national rate of 17.4.  In 2021 [...]

By |2023-10-11T16:52:03-04:00October 11th, 2023|Blog, Health, Race Equity|
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Bloom KY Growing Hope: Spotlight on BRADD Regional Opioid Summit

As we embrace October as Substance Use Prevention Month, it's only fitting that we shine a spotlight on the remarkable work being done in local communities to combat the opioid epidemic. In this edition of Bloom Kentucky’s Growing Hope series, where we’re spotlighting opioid abatement efforts across the Commonwealth, we turn our attention to the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) Opioid Abatement Coalition's recent Opioid Symposium. On September 18, 2023, at the iconic National [...]

By |2023-10-05T12:35:09-04:00October 5th, 2023|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Health, Justice|
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All Hands on Deck for Supported, Thriving Kentucky Families and Communities: What’s Happening Now?

Kentucky is now in its third year as a participating site team of the Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) national commitment to child, youth, and family well-being. The vision of the movement is a world in which all children, youth, and families live in just and equitable communities with the supports, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive and remain free of unnecessary child welfare system involvement.  Read on for an update on some of [...]

By |2023-10-05T11:59:38-04:00October 5th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|
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Health Youth Ambassadors 2023 Onboarding Retreat

Last week, our 2023-2024 Health Youth Ambassador cohort came together for the first time in Bowling Green, Kentucky for their two-day overnight onboarding retreat! Representing 8 different counties from across the Commonwealth – including Oldham, Graves, Daviess, Clark, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, and Crittenden – our new cohort consists of 13 youth advocates. The Health Youth Ambassadors (HYA) program is a statewide cohort that engages high school aged youth to learn about advocacy and policy, [...]

By |2023-09-28T16:34:23-04:00September 28th, 2023|Blog, Education, Health|
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