For many Kentuckians, Tuesday, October 1st, 2013 was just another day, but not for me. It was the day that I realized that the shutdown of the federal government would limit my ability to fulfill the primary role of my job – utilizing timely data to advocate for Kentucky’s children. At Kentucky Youth Advocates, we champion the idea that data-based policymaking and decision-making is vital in making sure every child in Kentucky is given an [...]
Want to find out how you can positively impact children in Kentucky? Register to attend a 2013 Step Up for Kids event to learn about children’s priorities on the 2014 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children Agenda and to prepare for the 10th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Legislators, advocates, and experts will discuss the issues facing Kentucky’s kids and families at these events. Attendees will have the opportunity to find out how to advocate on behalf of kids [...]
Kentucky Youth Advocates is in the process of creating our 2013 Kids Count County Data Book. We are looking for some photos of Kentucky kids to include in this book and other Kentucky Youth Advocates publications. We know you all proudly share pictures of your kids and grandkids by carrying them in your wallet, on Instagram and on Facebook! Here’s a great chance to promote those great kids through Kentucky Youth Advocates materials. Examples [...]
Yesterday, Kentucky Youth Advocates executive director Terry Brooks testified before members of the Joint Interim Health and Welfare Committee that the recent cuts to child care and kinship care assistance threaten public safety, education, the health and development of children, the economic security and the overall stability of families in ways that will cost Kentucky for years to come. Joining Terry to share her story was Sandra Flynn, a 60 year old registered nurse from [...]
More than 1 in 4 children in Kentucky are now living in poverty, according to new Census Bureau data from the American Community Survey, released today. Child poverty in Kentucky increased to 26.5 percent in 2012 from 25.6 percent in 2009, bringing the total number of children who live in poverty to 263,819. The poverty threshold in 2012 for a family of four with two children means making an income below $23,283. These numbers [...]
While the national unemployment rate dropped to 7.3% last month (the lowest rate since 2008) the labor force participation rate also fell suggesting that thousands of Americans have dropped out of the labor force altogether. When considering these economic measures, it is important to keep in mind that not all jobs are created equal. The fastest growing job markets—retail, restaurants, and bars—tend to offer part-time employment with limited opportunities for advancement. Nationally, more than eight [...]
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal. You can find it online here. For me, Labor Day is captured in two photographs. Each shows one of my grandfathers at his work. “Pa Brooks” stands in his Smoketown mechanic shop in the 1940s. He stands in a stained workers’ jumpsuit surrounded by a cadre of grinders, hoses and assorted work stations. The photo captures grit and [...]
Kids’ champions and kids themselves gathered on Monday morning and rocked the Rotunda. Folks who had been impacted by child care cuts and kinship care cuts and folks who had received a “hand up” for a better life because of those supports stood and eloquently shared their stories. There were more than a few moist eyes as those gathered heard stories about a grandmother worried about what would happen if the five grandchildren she was [...]
All families need economic stability to meet the basic needs of their children. This has become increasingly difficult for families in recent years during the economic downturn and extremely slow recovery. Louisville Metro Community Services and Revitalization is partnering with non-profits around Louisville to provide services and workshops to help families and individuals gain control of their personal finances. The city agency is providing the opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts to provide guidance on [...]
Hundreds of child advocates from across Kentucky were in Frankfort on the opening day of the special legislative session on August 19 for the Fund Kids First Rally. The rally came after the state ended its fiscal year with a $70.6 million surplus and put some of the surplus into the rainy day fund. This occurred after the Governor implemented deep cuts to the Child Care Assistance Program and the Kinship Care Program. Child advocates [...]
