Economic Security

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|

OP-ED: Turkey Bombs or Political Spam for Kentucky Kids

OP-ED: Turkey Bombs or Political Spam for Kentucky Kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on December 20, 2025. These days after Black Friday and before December 25 mean lots of things to different folks. Mobbed malls. Hopeful and expectant kids. Family gatherings near and far. Lots of packages on that doorstep. Perhaps a beautiful church service or cantata. And for me? Really wonderful homemade Italian and more than a bit of football! But for families in remote parts of [...]

By Terry Brooks|2025-12-22T12:08:05-05:00December 22nd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room|

Time-Balls & Bloom Kentucky: 2025 in Review

Time-Balls & Bloom Kentucky: 2025 in Review

Every New Year’s Eve, millions watch as the iconic Times Square ball drops. What many don’t know is that the “ball-drop” has historic roots dating back to the 1830s where the first “time-ball” was installed atop England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich to help captains of nearby ships set their chronometers for navigation. As the ball drops for 2025 and signals our entry in 2026, I cannot help but reflect on Bloom Kentucky’s major milestones from [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-12-19T12:47:51-05:00December 19th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|

2025 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard Launches with a Snapshot on Childhood Obesity and Food Access

2025 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard Launches with a Snapshot on Childhood Obesity and Food Access

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 2025 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard Launches with a Snapshot on Childhood Obesity and Food Access Featuring the latest county-level data for key measures of child health, education, economic security, and family and community Louisville, KY – The 2025 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, features the latest data on measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the Commonwealth have improved, worsened, or [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-12-11T09:12:26-05:00December 11th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room|

Introducing the Bloom Kentucky 2026 State Policy Priorities

Introducing the Bloom Kentucky 2026 State Policy Priorities

The end of the year brings holiday gatherings, time with family and friends, and just as reliably: the countdown to the Kentucky legislative session. When the Kentucky General Assembly convenes on the first Tuesday in January to launch the 2026 regular session, lawmakers will once again have the chance to advance policies and budget decisions that support Kentucky’s children and families. Bloom Kentucky is a collaborative initiative of grantmaking organizations from across the Commonwealth, united [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2025-12-17T09:38:59-05:00December 9th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Budget Session and Advocating for Kids

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Budget Session and Advocating for Kids

As the interim legislative session winds down and Kentuckians begin settling in for the holidays, the 2026 General Assembly is right around the corner. Like every even year in the Commonwealth, 2026 will bring a long legislative session that includes the passing of a new two-year state budget. Legislators will return to Frankfort on Tuesday, January 6th to kick off the 60 day session that will charge Kentucky legislators with considering proposed bills and crafting [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2025-12-17T09:38:25-05:00December 1st, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Youth Justice|

Cultivating Hope: KYOAAC’s Latest Funding Opportunities

Cultivating Hope: KYOAAC’s Latest Funding Opportunities

What does it mean to cultivate? Merriam-Webster dictionary describes this term as “to prepare for raising of crops”, “to foster the growth of”, “ to improve by labor, care, or study”, “further, encourage”. Like a farmer may prepare for raising crops to produce a strong yield, we believe that the state’s opioid settlement funds should be invested to produce strong yields for kids and families across the Commonwealth to mitigate the impacts of the [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-12-17T09:37:43-05:00November 25th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|