Blog – Page 8 – Kentucky Youth Advocates

From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

As summer winds down in Kentucky, state leaders in Frankfort are already preparing for the 2026 biennial budget session. Shortly after the 2025 legislative session concluded, lawmakers were back in action convening interim joint committees with members of both the House and Senate. The interim legislative session spanning June to December serves as an opportunity for legislators to hear presentations from various state offices on current data and program outcomes, budget requests for the next [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2025-10-07T16:04:38-04:00September 3rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid|

Ensuring Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Their Families

Ensuring Quality Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Their Families

Although many families struggle to find safe and affordable child care for their young children, it can be even harder for families whose children have disabilities. Some children may need to find a child care program with accessible playgrounds that allow children in wheelchairs or walkers to move more freely in the environment. Other children may need accommodations if they have low vision or a hearing impairment. Among the most common concerns [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-09-03T15:09:16-04:00September 3rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Regional Prevention Collaboratives Respond to Kentucky’s Child Care Needs

Regional Prevention Collaboratives Respond to Kentucky’s Child Care Needs

When you ask families in Kentucky what they need most, reliable child care frequently sits at the top of the list. Long waitlists, high costs, and the absence of providers make it harder for parents to work and for children to thrive in safe, supportive environments. These challenges not only strain family stability but can also increase risk of unnecessary involvement with the child welfare system when stress and unmet needs escalate. Recognizing this, Regional [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-08-28T11:22:16-04:00August 28th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Paid Family Medical Leave Can Protect Kentucky’s Most Vulnerable Infants

Paid Family Medical Leave Can Protect Kentucky’s Most Vulnerable Infants

Kentucky continues to face rates of child maltreatment that are nearly double the national average. Infants are at the greatest risk, making up 1 in 8 victims, making the first year of life a crucial period for prevention. Policies that give parents stability during this window can make a clear difference. The first year with a newborn is both exciting and stressful. Paid family medical leave offers parents time to bond with their newborns and [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-08-27T15:41:52-04:00August 27th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Being a Kinship Care Provider is Layered in Zeal – Love in Action

Being a Kinship Care Provider is Layered in Zeal – Love in Action

"Being a kinship care provider is layered in Zeal - Love in Action. Keeping my nieces together while providing a stable home was most important to me. While there have been many challenges (lack of resources, no emotional/financial support, navigating new family roles), along the way, seeing them now flourishing, happy and together makes it all worth it." – Angel L. Todd Kinship care has increasingly become a preferred solution when parents face challenges that [...]

By Shontelle Davis|2025-08-22T11:56:14-04:00August 22nd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

The Time Is Now: Investing in Youth Nicotine Prevention and Cessation

The Time Is Now: Investing in Youth Nicotine Prevention and Cessation

August is in full swing, and with it comes the start of a new school year in Kentucky. As in previous years, new trends and persistent concerns among Kentucky kids are making headlines. One issue that continues to raise alarms in schools across the Commonwealth is nicotine dependence among students. While the conversation around youth nicotine use is not new, the landscape has shifted significantly over the last year. Some recent changes include: Kentucky [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2025-08-20T16:46:07-04:00August 20th, 2025|Blog, Health|

The Power of Parent Engagement Meetings

The Power of Parent Engagement Meetings

Saying “it takes a village to raise a child” conveys the importance of having supportive people in a parent’s life who can help create safe, healthy environments for their kids to flourish. It’s a shared understanding that parenting is tough and, without support, life’s stressors can make it even tougher. Since the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act, Kentucky has expanded access to supportive services for parents and families who are at risk [...]

By Cortney Downs|2025-08-19T14:17:58-04:00August 19th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

What are Child Impact Statements and How Does it Impact Policy Change?

What are Child Impact Statements and How Does it Impact Policy Change?

What are Impact Statements? Impact statements are used by local, state, and federal agencies and branches of government to assess implications of proposed legislation, administrative procedures, cases, amongst other decisions. Impact statements can cover topics such as criminal justice, environment, higher education, poverty, open government, amongst other areas of focus. Most widely known are fiscal impact statements which examine budget implications and may include information related to estimated costs and potential savings of a proposed [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-08-19T12:51:51-04:00August 19th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice|

Positive Childhood Experiences: Feeling Safe and Protected by an Adult in the Home

Positive Childhood Experiences: Feeling Safe and Protected by an Adult in the Home

Did you know that creating positive experiences in childhood can lay the groundwork for lifelong resilience and well-being? These experiences are known as Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). PCEs highlight the nurturing moments, relationships, and environments that build a child’s inner strength and emotional health. In the Bloom Kentucky blog series, we explore how we can nurture these positive experiences to support children across the Commonwealth. Today’s spotlight is on the PCE of feeling safe [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-08-07T12:25:18-04:00August 7th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Every parent, caregiver, and community member expects schools to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Yet, across Kentucky, we continue to hear stories of students being harmed by those entrusted with their education. Too often these cases of educator sexual misconduct are met with delayed action, quiet dismissals, or a lack of accountability. This leaves students vulnerable and families without answers. Representative Tipton has filed legislation to address this issue for [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-08-11T16:45:26-04:00August 7th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|