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A Fresh Update to the WIC Program: Nurturing the Next Generation

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps women, infants, and children get a strong start in life. This program is a lifeline for over 115,000 Kentucky parents, caregivers, and kids, providing them with food benefits through an EBT card, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more. One of WIC’s primary goals is to ensure that moms and kids get the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive. To [...]

By |2024-05-15T16:02:12-04:00May 15th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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KYGA24: Sustaining the Child Care Sector

Child care was a huge topic of discussion during the 2024 legislative session. Advocates appealed to elected officials to help them understand that safe and reliable child care makes it possible for families to be part of the workforce and benefit the whole community. Legislators also examined the price tag that would be attached to stabilizing Kentucky’s child care industry, and that price tag was not small.  In previous years, most of the child care [...]

By |2024-05-09T14:55:52-04:00May 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education|
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KYGA24: Prioritizing Maternal Health

Among the topics that were a focus area for legislators in 2024 is maternal health – both the troubling outcomes for mothers across the Commonwealth and tangible steps we can take to address these issues. Following SB 135 of 2023 which targeted maternal depression, and an administrative change that ensures mothers on Medicaid are covered for 12 months postpartum, the 2024 General Assembly focused on additional ways to keep moms and babies healthy. HB 10, [...]

By |2024-05-08T08:43:20-04:00May 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the [...]

By |2024-04-30T11:47:02-04:00April 30th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Smile for Child Abuse: A Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky Message

According to research, there are scientific benefits to smiling. What's better than a grin? Full-on laughter. During the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky team's last meeting, we gathered at one of the collaborating partner's organizations–the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families–to exchange our favorite dad jokes. The winning knee-slapper? "I'd like to thank all the sidewalks for keeping me off the streets."  But what is funny about child abuse and how does humor and [...]

By |2024-04-23T13:27:03-04:00April 23rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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Bloom Kentucky: Recapping KYGA24 Efforts to Address ACEs

Bloom Kentucky is committed to addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through policy change. We know that the multi-generational impacts of childhood adversity require an upstream approach and that often is done through legislative action and budget investments. Policy Priorities For this session, Bloom Kentucky identified policy priorities focused on ensuring a strong student-teacher pipeline, supporting access to school-based mental health, promoting housing stability and  expanding prenatal and delivery care.  Here’s a recap of how our [...]

By |2024-04-18T17:02:26-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, Health|
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Deep Dive into the 2024 State Budget & the Impact on Kentucky Kids

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY.  Facing a budget session, the 2024 General Assembly was [...]

By |2024-04-18T16:50:37-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Recapping the 2024 Legislative Session & the Impact on Kentucky Kids

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. As we recover from eclipse mania in [...]

By |2024-04-18T17:23:37-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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Statement on Final Passage of HB 377

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – An investment in the student-to-teacher pipeline is an investment in our students – and the future of Kentucky’s workforce and economic well-being. With today’s final passage of House Bill 377 by the Senate, Kentucky school districts can now deepen their toolbox for recruiting and retaining quality and qualified teachers for their schools. HB 377, sponsored by Representative [...]

By |2024-03-28T17:23:09-04:00March 28th, 2024|Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, News Room|
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Celebrating and Empowering Social Workers

By Leah Wade, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  March is National Social Work Month, and this year the theme is Empowering Social Workers. The theme of this month highlights the need for higher compensation and support for the high-demand roles that social workers engage in. This month is used as a way to celebrate the contributions that social workers are making to individuals, families, and communities. It is a time to support the ongoing work [...]

By |2024-03-28T14:16:04-04:00March 28th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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