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Hoosiers & Touchdowns for Kids – The Bloom Agenda in the “First Quarter”

We’re officially about a quarter of the way through the 60-day session and Bloom Kentucky is proud to share that 4 of our 5 policy priorities from the 2026 agenda have been filed. Like the Indiana Hoosier’s recent historic win, Kentucky legislators have an opportunity to make history for kids this session if they can come together and work as a team for kids and families.  Bloom’s agenda is gaining momentum, and like the game [...]

By |2026-02-05T13:50:06-05:00January 27th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Health|
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Understanding and Recognizing Grooming Behaviors

This blog was originally published on Face It Movement. Everyone can play a role in keeping kids safe, but that only happens when people know the signs to look out for. Some warning signs of child abuse, like grooming behaviors, can be difficult to spot because they appear as normal adult-child relationships especially when the abuser is a family member or a close family friend.  Grooming is defined as a pattern of complex and deceptive [...]

By |2026-02-05T13:50:34-05:00January 22nd, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Looking Ahead to Children’s Advocacy Week 2026

This year, as lawmakers begin their work in Frankfort, we’re preparing to show up with urgency, purpose, and a shared commitment to putting Kentucky kids first.  Children’s Advocacy Week, coming up March 2nd - 6th, offers a powerful opportunity for advocates to rally together, connect directly with legislators, and ensure children and families remain a top priority throughout the session.  To make the most of the week, we have included some updates and tips for [...]

By |2026-01-21T11:43:02-05:00January 20th, 2026|Blog|
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New year, new goals: Setting a path to achieve community goals to address the opioid epidemic

Each new year, people across Kentucky join in the time-honored tradition of reflecting on the year past and thinking ahead to goals for the upcoming year. With many years of goals to think back on, one takeaway is clear – I’m more likely to achieve that goal if I have a plan in place for how to do it.  In the past, when I set a goal to run the Kentucky Derby half marathon at [...]

By |2026-01-15T09:38:25-05:00January 15th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|
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Building Kentucky’s Budget: Implications of Federal Actions and State Taskforces

The 2026 state legislative session is underway and lawmakers have been busy in Frankfort filing more than 350 bills in the first week. Among the bills that remain to be seen is the budget bill that will detail legislative proposals for the state’s next two year operating budget. Originating in the House, this bill will see several rounds of revisions over the next two months before final passage by April 15th.  Governor Beshear kicked off [...]

By |2026-01-14T16:01:59-05:00January 14th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, Medicaid|
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Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Ohio County United for Youth

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in our communities. We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work of Ohio County United for Youth. Ohio County United for Youth is an organization led by young people in partnership with adult volunteers in Ohio County, Kentucky. Their work is guided by the Developmental Assets Framework, which “identifies 40 research-based positive experiences that [...]

By |2026-01-13T12:30:14-05:00January 13th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|
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Statement on Governor Beshear’s 2026 State Budget Address

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – There was good news in last night’s address by Governor Andy Beshear as he joined with Republican legislative leaders in prioritizing basic needs like housing stability and food security for our kids and families. Those two arenas are clearly common ground and are ripe for legislative action as this session unfolds.  That is a vital opening for [...]

By |2026-01-08T07:56:51-05:00January 8th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Youth Justice|
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8 Ways to Advocate for Kids During #KYGA26

The Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 6th. Check out these 8 ways advocates can speak up for kids throughout the 2026 state legislative session: Review the 2026 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children state policy and budget priority 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 2026 Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker [...]

By |2026-01-02T14:02:10-05:00January 2nd, 2026|Blog|
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OP-ED: Turkey Bombs or Political Spam for Kentucky Kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on December 20, 2025. These days after Black Friday and before December 25 mean lots of things to different folks. Mobbed malls. Hopeful and expectant kids. Family gatherings near and far. Lots of packages on that doorstep. Perhaps a beautiful church service or cantata. And for me? Really wonderful homemade Italian and more than a bit of football! But for families in remote parts of [...]

By |2025-12-22T12:08:05-05:00December 22nd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room|
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Time-Balls & Bloom Kentucky: 2025 in Review

Every New Year’s Eve, millions watch as the iconic Times Square ball drops. What many don’t know is that the “ball-drop” has historic roots dating back to the 1830s where the first “time-ball” was installed atop England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich to help captains of nearby ships set their chronometers for navigation. As the ball drops for 2025 and signals our entry in 2026, I cannot help but reflect on Bloom Kentucky’s major milestones from [...]

By |2025-12-19T12:47:51-05:00December 19th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|
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