Photo provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation As a part of the U.S. Constitution, America has one chance every decade to count each resident through the decennial census. The census count helps determine everything from how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives, the number of state legislative districts needed, how much federal funding is allocated to states and localities, and which communities need a new elementary school, [...]
A few weeks ago, we at Kentucky Youth Advocates reached out to advocates like you and asked you to provide input on the greatest challenges facing Kentucky kids today—and the policy changes that our state government could make to address these challenges. Your feedback is invaluable as Blueprint for Kentucky's Children partners continue to develop the 2019 policy agenda. More than 130 advocates filled out the survey, representing counties across the commonwealth and many sectors [...]
Kentucky ranks 37th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Data Book tells us some good news for Kentucky kids, as most of the data trends in health, economic well-being, education, and family and community show continued progress. But, without an accurate count of all Kentucky kids in 2020, we risk leaving money on the table that could be used [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Improved Child Outcomes and Continued Areas of Need in Kentucky Accurate count in 2020 census critical to sustaining progress Louisville, KY – Kentucky ranks 37th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kentucky’s standing is due in part to progress in family economic well-being, child health coverage, teen births, and parental [...]
We at Kentucky Youth Advocates believe that Kentucky can become the best place in America to be young and that we should settle for nothing less. Over the past several legislative sessions, the Kentucky General Assembly and state government have taken significant steps to improve the lives of children in the Commonwealth, and we are excited about those wins for kids. Yet, we still have a long way to go until all children in Kentucky [...]
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Northern Kentucky Tribune and Kentucky Today. “Bipartisan wins” in Frankfort seems like an oxymoron on the same level as “jumbo shrimp” and “bittersweet.” When reflecting on the recent legislative session, it would be easy to think of 2018 only as the year of placards and protests, accusations and apologies, parliamentary finagles and partisan politics. Yet, when it comes to Kentucky’s kids impacted by abuse or neglect, 2018 [...]
Late last week, the Kentucky General Assembly convened for the final days of the 2018 legislative session. Still to be finalized was the state budget to drive how money will be spent and the level at which services and programs will be funded. Though the General Assembly had passed the budget bill before the veto break on April 2nd, the governor vetoed the bill. The question remained on whether the legislature would simply override the [...]
When it comes to the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy priorities, kids won in Frankfort during the 2018 legislative session. Because of advocates like you, the following Blueprint priorities are awaiting the Governor’s signature: HB 1. Every child deserves a family, and House Bill 1—sponsored by Representatives David Meade and Joni Jenkins—upholds that ideal by strengthening supports to help keep families together safely and, when that’s not possible, addressing timelines for adoption cases so that [...]
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates In the best of times, crafting a budget is a complicated and difficult challenge. In these times of fiscal constraints, growing needs, and a less than certain economic future, crafting a budget is about making the toughest of decisions. As we think about the proposed budget and Kentucky’s kids, and given the tight budget constraints, it is important [...]
As the days of the 2018 legislative session wind down, the one thing remaining at the top of mind in this budget session is the budget itself. The House of Representatives and the Senate have each passed a version of the budget, and now it sits with a conference committee as they work to iron out their differences, with the final version of the budget expected to be voted on in the coming days. A [...]
