Bloom Kentucky

Parental Incarceration & the Impact on Kids: “I want the cycle to end with me.”

Parental Incarceration & the Impact on Kids: “I want the cycle to end with me.”

Updated April 9, 2026 In 2025, the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and Bloom Kentucky's 2025 legislative priorities included the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. The proposed legislation would require courts to consider alternative sentences for parents of dependent children who committed low-level and nonviolent offenses. With the hard work of advocates and legislative champions, Senator Julie Raque Adams and Representative Nick Wilson, Senate Bill 122 successfully passed both chambers in 2026 and is expected to be signed into law by [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-04-09T10:25:43-04:00October 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Justice|

Child Safety Starts with Parent Safety

Child Safety Starts with Parent Safety

By Ashlee, KY SEAT member Content Notice: This blog contains information about physical assault and/or violence which may be upsetting to readers. Half of child welfare cases in Kentucky include domestic violence as a leading risk factor. For several members of KY SEAT, a statewide parent council using their lived experiences with systems impacting families to effect positive change, this subject is close to home. “I don’t remember a lot of what happened. I was [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-10-08T13:01:27-04:00October 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

Take Action for the Farm Bill During Hunger Action Month

Take Action for the Farm Bill During Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in the U.S. A key piece of federal legislation in combating hunger is the Farm Bill, which is set to expire at the end of the month. The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that determines national agriculture, conservation, and nutrition policies. It encompasses vital programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to food assistance for low-income families. This bill [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2024-09-24T16:08:05-04:00September 24th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health|

A Look at the Connection Between ACEs and Physical Health

A Look at the Connection Between ACEs and Physical Health

By Ellen Ward, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including trauma such as abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction, are widely recognized for their lasting effects on mental health. Not as obvious, however, is the physical toll ACEs take on the body, which is equally significant and long-lasting. Chronic stress stemming from childhood trauma can lead to a range of serious health issues. Traumatic experiences in childhood trigger a cascade of stress responses in [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-09-11T15:49:37-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Education, Health|

Planting Seeds for Youth Substance Use Prevention

Planting Seeds for Youth Substance Use Prevention

One of my favorite quotes is: "Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you may never get to see." This particular iteration is from Hamilton, but you’ve likely encountered a variation of this quote either biblically or from someone in your life. This idea perfectly encapsulates the bold and forward-thinking action taken by Attorney General Russell Coleman in the recent meeting with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. During the meeting, [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-09-11T13:58:12-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

An Update on the Housing Crisis and Call to Action for Young People

An Update on the Housing Crisis and Call to Action for Young People

In all 120 Kentucky counties, families are struggling to find affordable housing. In addition to being a frequently discussed topic in communities across the Commonwealth, the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy agenda prioritized the development of an interim joint legislative task force to focus on the state’s housing crisis. We are pleased that the legislature established the Kentucky Housing Task Force to study and review the current and future policy needs to address [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2024-09-11T13:07:48-04:00September 11th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|

Together We Bloom Summit: Cultivating Kentucky’s Future

Together We Bloom Summit: Cultivating Kentucky’s Future

MARK YOUR CALENDARS on May 7, 2025, as community leaders, policymakers, and advocates will gather at the Shelbyville Conference and Welcome Center in Shelbyville for the Together We Bloom Summit, hosted by Bloom Kentucky. This one-day event will focus on cultivating positive childhood experiences through both policy and systems change across the Commonwealth, offering a unique platform to explore new strategies for fostering resilience and mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Kentucky’s children. The [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-09-11T10:01:07-04:00September 10th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|

Sowing Seeds of Hope this Recovery Month

Sowing Seeds of Hope this Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, a time to acknowledge the challenges of substance use and celebrate the progress of those on their journey to recovery. For me, this month resonates deeply. Throughout my childhood and life, I’ve witnessed firsthand how substance use can profoundly affect a family. My family, like many others, knows this struggle all too well. For years, substance use has been heavily stigmatized. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, stigma is “a strong [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-09-09T16:24:25-04:00September 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|

Making Kids Count in the 2024 Election

Making Kids Count in the 2024 Election

Kids cannot vote, but you can ensure that their voices are heard by engaging with candidates in local, state, and federal elections and being an informed voter. The leaders we elect determine policies and budgets that will impact our daily lives for what may be generations to come. But how often do we pause to consider–specifically–how our choices at the ballot box will impact us, and particularly children who depend on us to make [...]

By Mara Powell|2024-10-14T10:47:51-04:00September 4th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Tackling America’s Health Crisis: The Urgent Need for ACEs Prevention

Tackling America’s Health Crisis: The Urgent Need for ACEs Prevention

Trust for America’s Health recently released their 2024 report, revealing a 142% increase in deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide from 2002 to 2022 in the United States. The report's findings are alarming, with 207,827 deaths in 2022 alone. While there was a small decline in alcohol-induced deaths, rates for drug overdoses and suicides remained steady, underscoring the ongoing crisis. Key Recommendation: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) One of the [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-08-21T14:43:25-04:00August 21st, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|