Economic Security

Assessing Community Resilience with the Census Bureau

Assessing Community Resilience with the Census Bureau

When we talk about “resilience,” we often talk about how individuals respond after a crisis. Someone standing strong despite the challenges faced. But resilience often starts long before a crisis, and our ability to adapt, recover, and thrive is heavily shaped by the communities we live in. If we want Kentuckians to be resilient, we need to ensure the communities they live in are also resilient. To help communities assess their levels of [...]

By Karena Cash|2026-04-16T15:56:25-04:00April 16th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security|

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by the Kentucky Senate

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by the Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Child care advocates are cheering as House Bill 6 passed the Kentucky Senate floor this afternoon. With the leadership of Representative Samara Heavrin, this robust legislation thoughtfully strengthens Kentucky’s child care infrastructure for the bottom line of families, businesses, and the state budget. Among its many components, HB 6 will impact accessibility, affordability, and availability of quality [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-03-31T17:33:47-04:00March 31st, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, News Room|

Child Poverty Patterns among Kentucky Counties: A Brief Glimpse of American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Over Time

Child Poverty Patterns among Kentucky Counties: A Brief Glimpse of American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Over Time

Patterns emerge all the time around us, whether watching the beautiful display of a spider spin its web in a meticulous, lattice-like fashion or the furiously fast movement of a hummingbird’s wings as nectar is consumed in a moment of time. Bottom line, if we are not paying attention then we just may miss a chance to bring to light what is happening. One pattern that caught my eye recently was a U.S. Census [...]

By Paul Colwell|2026-03-30T13:15:12-04:00March 30th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Kids Count|

Paid Family Leave – Strengthening Families and the Workforce

Paid Family Leave – Strengthening Families and the Workforce

Time is quickly slipping away in the 2026 legislative session, but there is still time for the Kentucky General Assembly to pass important legislation to positively impact Kentucky families. One policy that could have a huge impact on maternal health and child development for Kentucky families is paid family leave. In December 2024, Governor Beshear passed an executive order that would allow executive branch employees to have paid family medical leave for six weeks after [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2026-03-26T11:24:21-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

The Role of SNAP and School Meals in Child Nutrition

The Role of SNAP and School Meals in Child Nutrition

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of healthy eating habits as well as recognize the barriers that many families face in accessing nutritious food. Child nutrition is a key concern in Kentucky, where one in five children live in food-insecure households. Two programs that help meet the nutritional needs of Kentucky children are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and USDA school nutrition programs. School nutrition programs like the National [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2026-03-19T12:03:00-04:00March 19th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

Statement on Passage of HB 338 by Kentucky House

Statement on Passage of HB 338 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Alongside our partners in the Bloom Kentucky initiative, we’re celebrating as the House of Representatives unanimously supported Representative Susan Witten’s House Bill 338. This commonsense approach to promoting housing stability will ensure dismissed evictions are expunged and that no minor is named on an eviction filing. The potential impact of HB 338 is great as the average [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-03-18T16:21:28-04:00March 18th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|

Taking Action to Improve Diaper Access for Families

Taking Action to Improve Diaper Access for Families

One significant cost for families with young children that often goes overlooked is diapers. Diapers can cost families at least $1,000 annually for every child in diapers. They are essential for infant and toddler health and hygiene, yet many families with young children experience diaper needs and struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy. When families cannot afford enough diapers, both parents and children are negatively impacted. Parents may be [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2026-03-12T13:56:50-04:00March 12th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health|

Statement on Passage of HB 338 by House Judiciary Committee

Statement on Passage of HB 338 by House Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – When families have access to safe, stable housing, children can grow and thrive. Yet, families with children are two times more likely to face eviction than other households, often leading to long-term barriers to securing stable housing even if the case is dismissed. And sometimes those children are listed on eviction filings, damaging their housing record before [...]

By Mara Powell|2026-03-11T11:35:29-04:00March 11th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Senate Families & Children Committee

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky’s economy counts on a strong child care workforce and availability of high quality child care for every child so parents can go to work knowing their child is safe, learning, and cared for. Yet, child care deserts and increasing waitlists are causing child care programs to operate at the highest adult-to-child ratios that the state will allow, [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-03-10T10:14:15-04:00March 10th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: South Louisville Community Ministries

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: South Louisville Community Ministries

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout out to programs fostering hope and resilience in communities across the Commonwealth. We’re proud to spotlight the work of South Louisville Community Ministries (SLCM) and its commitment to ensuring families have stable housing. Located in Jefferson County, SLCM is a nonprofit organization providing emergency assistance and compassionate advocacy for neighbors in crisis. SLCM offers a comprehensive range of services to [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2026-02-26T14:39:17-05:00February 26th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|