Blog – Page 56 – Kentucky Youth Advocates

Emergency Broadband Benefit: Let’s Get Families Connected

Emergency Broadband Benefit: Let’s Get Families Connected

Let’s get more communities and families digitally connected! May 12, 2021 marks the launch of the temporary, federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. This program, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is geared toward connecting more households to the internet at a time when we rely on digital connectivity more than ever before. The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program, established by Congress last year in response to ongoing economic hardships caused by the [...]

By Mara Powell|2021-05-13T09:49:10-04:00May 13th, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health|

True Up is Joining Kentucky Youth Advocates to Maximize Impact on Older Youth in Foster Care

True Up is Joining Kentucky Youth Advocates to Maximize Impact on Older Youth in Foster Care

CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates and True Up are pleased to announce a formal partnership between the two organizations. As of April 1, 2021, True Up is officially an affiliated initiative of Kentucky Youth Advocates. True Up Executive Director Nikki Thornton has joined Kentucky Youth Advocates’ team with the intent to expand on True Up’s successful track record of engaging, empowering, and connecting young people ages 16 and older who are currently [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2021-05-13T09:03:59-04:00May 12th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Facebook’s Plan to Create an Instagram for Kids

Statement on Facebook’s Plan to Create an Instagram for Kids

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Mental health, cyber bullying, and safety online are among the top concerns for families, schools, law enforcement, and child advocates prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and especially now as our kids must navigate the virtual world more regularly. With the announcement from Facebook to launch an Instagram for kids, those concerns will amplify for many. When used properly, [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2021-05-12T09:37:02-04:00May 12th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

Call for Photos: Let’s See Your KY Kids!

Call for Photos: Let’s See Your KY Kids!

Kentucky Youth Advocates is looking for photos of Kentucky kids to include in the 2021 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 [...]

By Mara Powell|2021-05-10T22:11:05-04:00May 7th, 2021|Blog, Kids Count|

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

The recent announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the process of banning all menthol flavoring in cigarettes and cigars is a huge step in reducing youth and young adult tobacco addiction, addressing health equity, and improving health outcomes. This announcement ensures that the FDA’s next steps will be establishing rules and an opportunity for public comment on the ban of menthol flavoring in cigarettes and all flavoring in cigars within the [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2022-02-07T11:53:07-05:00May 6th, 2021|Blog, Health, Race Equity|

The Child Tax Credit of 2021: What You Need to Know

The Child Tax Credit of 2021: What You Need to Know

Image courtesy of AECF Among the provisions in the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to provide COVID-19 relief is an expanded version of the Child Tax Credit. Approximately 1.1 million Kentucky children and their families will be eligible for the one-year expanded tax credit. This includes low-income families who have not historically made enough or have no income at all will be eligible. The program will begin starting in July, [...]

By Mahak Kalra|2021-06-23T13:33:31-04:00May 5th, 2021|Blog, Economic Security|

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

The month of May in Kentucky brings warmer weather, Derby excitement, and the end of another school year, but it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This national month of recognition aims to educate and provide resources for individuals, families, and children about the importance of taking care of their mental health needs. This year’s theme - “You Are Not Alone” - emphasizes the importance of connecting with others in a safe way and taking [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-05-03T15:39:08-04:00May 3rd, 2021|Blog, Education, Health|

Launching Visitation Project to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents

Launching Visitation Project to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents

Parental incarceration has often been referred to as a ‘shared sentence’ because of the impact it has on the community, caregivers, and most importantly, the children. In Kentucky, approximately 12% of children have been separated from a parent due to incarceration, the third highest rate in the nation. As a state, we have taken critical steps to address some of the factors contributing to the rise in parental incarceration. However, there are still tens of thousands of children being impacted. It’s imperative that we work to identify ways to [...]

By Cortney Downs|2021-04-30T14:51:09-04:00April 28th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Justice|

Where is “Neglect” in Child Abuse Prevention Month?

Where is “Neglect” in Child Abuse Prevention Month?

This op-ed was originally post by the Herald Leader on April 23, 2021. A version of this op-ed was also posted by the Courier Journal on April 22, 2021. By Terry Brooks Each April, state and local leaders proclaim Child Abuse Prevention Month and community partners encourage the public to understand that everyone has a role in recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse in the commonwealth. That kind of focus on abuse is an ethical [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2021-04-23T14:52:10-04:00April 23rd, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Tools to Help You Act

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Tools to Help You Act

This blog post was originally posted on The Child Welfare Advocate Blog by WKU Center for Child Welfare Education and Research on April 14, 2021. Kentucky was recognized for the third year in a row as having the highest rate of child maltreatment in the nation.[1] That is an overwhelming statistic and a lot to unpack for those of us who work with families and children. So, what does that mean for advocates? As an advocate, [...]

By Shannon Moody|2021-04-22T15:52:40-04:00April 22nd, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|