Child Care Assistance Program FAQ for Kentucky Families

Child care is essential for Kentucky families to thrive. With annual costs reaching up to $11,000, however, families across Kentucky are struggling to pay for child care. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible families pay for child care, providing vital support to families with young children. Despite how vital the program is, very few eligible families are participating in the program and applying for and participating in the program can be confusing. With [...]

By |2022-09-21T18:36:53-04:00April 27th, 2022|Blog, Economic Security, Education|

OP-ED: Lots of Questions for the 2022 KY General Assembly

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on April 21, 2022. By Dr. Terry Brooks In a press conference before the historic launch of Apollo 11 to the moon, Neil Armstrong was asked about the answers he hoped to discover with his moonwalk. He responded by asserting that he will likely have more questions to ask than answers. That is how I feel as we leave the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly – I have a whole bunch of [...]

Wins & Missed Opportunities for Kids in the 2022 General Assembly

The final gavel has fallen for the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly! This year, the Governor and the Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a two-year state budget, tackle redistricting, advance policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, tax reform, and other policy priorities that would be good for the communities they represent and the Commonwealth. If we take a second to reflect, that’s a heavy lift in a long 60-day session. There was good news [...]

Federal Investments in School-Based Health

By Crystal Willis, MSSW Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates In March, Congress made a commitment to the nation's most vulnerable children by investing in school-based health services. Signed into federal law on Tuesday March 15, the 2022 Omnibus Appropriations package includes $30 million for school-based health centers. This is a $25 million increase from fiscal year 2021, which will allow for more services to be provided and is a tremendous win for children and families [...]

By |2022-04-04T15:31:27-04:00April 4th, 2022|Blog, Education, Health|

Update on Priorities for Kids in the Final Days of KYGA22

The 2022 Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up Day 58 of the 60-day legislative session and there are many key Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children wins to already celebrate. These priority bills have passed the Kentucky House and Senate and have been delivered to the Governor: Senate Bill 8 to strengthen points of the child welfare system, from child maltreatment prevention to investigation to healing and out-of-home care – signed by the Governor! Senate Bill 97 [...]

Statement on Passage of Final State Budget by the General Assembly

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Earlier this month as leaders of the Kentucky House and Senate went into Conference Committee, we wrote on the important moment: “When the rubber hits the road.” It’s a moment when the true priorities of the General Assembly come to light as the final state budget for the next two years gets crafted – full of compromise, tough [...]

Statement on Final Passage of HB 499 by the Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, the Senate passed House Bill 499 – a win for the child care sector, businesses, parents, and our youngest Kentuckians. Once concurred by the House and signed by the Governor, the measure will establish the framework for the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership, which is an innovative program that will match employer child care benefits with state dollars. Families [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 499 by the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, we’re celebrating the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee’s passage of House Bill 499. The measure, championed by Representative Samara Heavrin, will establish the framework for the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership – which is a win-win-win for kids and families, businesses, and our economy. A lack of access to child care is a primary contributor to [...]

Statement on Final Passage of SB 102 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – We’re celebrating today as the Kentucky House has passed Senate Bill 102, sponsored by Senator Max Wise, to help ensure there is an adequate number of school-based mental health providers to serve students in need of supports. Even before the isolation and other challenges brought forth by the pandemic, children across the Commonwealth struggled with their mental health – [...]

By |2022-03-25T10:31:23-04:00March 25th, 2022|Bloom Kentucky, Education, Health, News Room|

Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 151 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, Senate Bill 151 unanimously received its final passage by the Kentucky House and now advances to the Governor’s desk for signature. This measure, sponsored by Senator Jason Howell, clarifies the current law to give school districts the option to serve students on free and reduced meals their breakfast during the first 15 minutes of the day. We [...]

By |2022-03-24T15:08:31-04:00March 24th, 2022|Education, Health, News Room|
Go to Top