Economic Security

The Census and You – Breaking Down Kentucky’s Data from the American Community Survey

The Census and You – Breaking Down Kentucky’s Data from the American Community Survey

If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know that the census isn’t just once a decade. It’s an ongoing process. Each year the Census Bureau releases data at different points during the year that cover different subject matter. Understanding the ACS In January, the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates were released. These topics are the same as the one-year estimates released in September, but the five-year estimates are considered more accurate. For the one-year [...]

By Lauren Bowling|2026-02-25T16:10:51-05:00February 25th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count|

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Kentucky House

Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Representative Samara Heavrin said it best, “House Bill 6 lays the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable child care network.” We’re celebrating this afternoon as this much-needed legislation clears the House with bi-partisan support. Among its many components, House Bill 6 strengthens access and options to safe, affordable child care for working parents. It removes barriers to [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-02-17T19:09:07-05:00February 17th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, News Room|

Using Local Opioid Abatement Funds to Fuel Prevention Efforts

Using Local Opioid Abatement Funds to Fuel Prevention Efforts

Local opioid settlement funds, which are available and distributed to every county and many cities around Kentucky, hold great opportunity for healing and recovery. Alongside the possibilities for local communities comes great responsibility to use the funds wisely. This is especially important as these funds come as a result of the opioid epidemic which took the lives of many Kentuckians and harmed many more. As county leaders make decisions about how to invest, all localities [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2026-02-17T11:59:17-05:00February 17th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

Diving Deeper into HB 6 to Strengthen Kentucky’s Child Care Ecosystem

Diving Deeper into HB 6 to Strengthen Kentucky’s Child Care Ecosystem

Affordable, quality child care continues to be a top priority for families that need to be a part of the workforce while still providing a safe and healthy environment for their young children. During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly dedicated more general fund dollars to child care than ever before. That was a first step towards developing Kentucky’s child care infrastructure. Now, during this budget session, Kentucky continues to brainstorm on how to [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2026-02-24T13:57:30-05:00February 12th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|

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

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

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Child care programs offer working families a safe place for children to learn and grow and serve as a critical pillar of community economies. Recognizing the need to strengthen quality and access to affordable child care across Kentucky, Representative Samara Heavrin – along with numerous bipartisan co-sponsors – is championing House Bill 6 this session, and we’re [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-02-12T09:30:30-05:00February 12th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, News Room|

What’s Coming Next with the State Budget and How to Take Action

What’s Coming Next with the State Budget and How to Take Action

Updated March 20, 2026 With just ten working days to go in the 2026 legislative session, the state budget process is nearing its conclusion. As we detailed in early January, the General Assembly spent a bulk of the legislative time in 2026 crafting a two-year state budget that will be complete before the final gavel on April 15th. What’s Already Happened? So far, the Governor released his proposed budget during the State of the Commonwealth [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2026-03-20T15:35:31-04:00February 3rd, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health|

Making the Case for a Refundable State Child Tax Credit

Making the Case for a Refundable State Child Tax Credit

Raising children is expensive and the rising cost of diapers, food, housing, and childcare, are making it increasingly difficult for many Kentucky families to make ends meet. Access to basic necessities is critical for healthy child development, yet financial stress can strain families’ ability to provide the safe, stable, and supportive environment young children need to grow and thrive. One proven tool to help working families stay afloat is the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC). [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2026-02-03T09:05:45-05:00February 2nd, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

New year, new goals: Setting a path to achieve community goals to address the opioid epidemic

New year, new goals: Setting a path to achieve community goals to address the opioid epidemic

Each new year, people across Kentucky join in the time-honored tradition of reflecting on the year past and thinking ahead to goals for the upcoming year. With many years of goals to think back on, one takeaway is clear – I’m more likely to achieve that goal if I have a plan in place for how to do it. In the past, when I set a goal to run the Kentucky Derby half marathon at [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2026-01-15T09:38:25-05:00January 15th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|

Building Kentucky’s Budget: Implications of Federal Actions and State Taskforces

Building Kentucky’s Budget: Implications of Federal Actions and State Taskforces

The 2026 state legislative session is underway and lawmakers have been busy in Frankfort filing more than 350 bills in the first week. Among the bills that remain to be seen is the budget bill that will detail legislative proposals for the state’s next two year operating budget. Originating in the House, this bill will see several rounds of revisions over the next two months before final passage by April 15th. Governor Beshear kicked off [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2026-01-14T16:01:59-05:00January 14th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, Medicaid|

Statement on Governor Beshear’s 2026 State Budget Address

Statement on Governor Beshear’s 2026 State Budget Address

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – There was good news in last night’s address by Governor Andy Beshear as he joined with Republican legislative leaders in prioritizing basic needs like housing stability and food security for our kids and families. Those two arenas are clearly common ground and are ripe for legislative action as this session unfolds. That is a vital opening for [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2026-01-08T07:56:51-05:00January 8th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Youth Justice|