Education

Guest Post: Reshaping the Trajectories of Kentucky’s Grieving Children

Guest Post: Reshaping the Trajectories of Kentucky’s Grieving Children

By Leila Salisbury November has been designated as Grieving Children and Families Month, a time to highlight the data points showing that grief and loss are at the heart of the most under recognized and under addressed population health crisis for our children in Kentucky. 1 in 9 children in Kentucky will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. These bereaved children are more likely to experience Substance Use [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-12-17T09:36:58-05:00November 12th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Building a Children’s Cabinet: What, Why, Who, and How?

Building a Children’s Cabinet: What, Why, Who, and How?

In order to meet the needs of kids and families, many states offer a variety of programs from medical services, nutrition programs, child care, and emergency supports. Although all the programs apply to families and children, the services can be hard to access since they are housed across different departments, cabinets, and websites. In order to increase efficiency, and make access easier for families of young children, states are looking outside the box and finding [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-12-17T09:36:05-05:00November 12th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Share Your Story for a Complete Census Count in Appalachia

Share Your Story for a Complete Census Count in Appalachia

In the region of Kentucky where I grew up – the beautiful Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky – communication is woven into the fabric of communities. The annual Swappin’ Meetin’ held each Fall at Southeast Community and Technical College would showcase that communication through storytelling, songs, and the many conversations of neighbors and friends. While the stories and songs will be saved for our beloved community gatherings, we want to hear from our Appalachian communities [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-11-12T10:19:53-05:00November 5th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid|

Social Media Lawsuits, Mental Health, and the Role of Policymakers

Social Media Lawsuits, Mental Health, and the Role of Policymakers

Youth mental health issues are at an all time high— youth advocates, school districts, parents, and even the Surgeon General alike are elevating youth mental health as a vital issue due to the long-term impacts on physical health, success in school, and future of the community. Many are lifting up the role of social media companies and their platforms in adversely impacting youth. Social Media Lawsuits A major multi-district litigation (MDL 3047) is currently moving [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-12-17T09:35:27-05:00October 6th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Calling all doting grandparents, aunties and uncles: Be part of a complete count

Calling all doting grandparents, aunties and uncles: Be part of a complete count

Nothing quite matches the pride of a new grandparent or auntie showing pictures of a new baby. At a meeting, at the grocery store, or after church, they are quick to pull out their phones and share a few pictures of the new bundle of joy. This year, I’ve been that auntie, showing off my sweet niece who was born this past Winter, when I’m catching up with friends. As much as we care for [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-09-30T13:03:25-04:00September 30th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid|

From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

As summer winds down in Kentucky, state leaders in Frankfort are already preparing for the 2026 biennial budget session. Shortly after the 2025 legislative session concluded, lawmakers were back in action convening interim joint committees with members of both the House and Senate. The interim legislative session spanning June to December serves as an opportunity for legislators to hear presentations from various state offices on current data and program outcomes, budget requests for the next [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2025-10-07T16:04:38-04:00September 3rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid|

The Power of Parent Engagement Meetings

The Power of Parent Engagement Meetings

Saying “it takes a village to raise a child” conveys the importance of having supportive people in a parent’s life who can help create safe, healthy environments for their kids to flourish. It’s a shared understanding that parenting is tough and, without support, life’s stressors can make it even tougher. Since the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act, Kentucky has expanded access to supportive services for parents and families who are at risk [...]

By Cortney Downs|2025-08-19T14:17:58-04:00August 19th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

What are Child Impact Statements and How Does it Impact Policy Change?

What are Child Impact Statements and How Does it Impact Policy Change?

What are Impact Statements? Impact statements are used by local, state, and federal agencies and branches of government to assess implications of proposed legislation, administrative procedures, cases, amongst other decisions. Impact statements can cover topics such as criminal justice, environment, higher education, poverty, open government, amongst other areas of focus. Most widely known are fiscal impact statements which examine budget implications and may include information related to estimated costs and potential savings of a proposed [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-08-19T12:51:51-04:00August 19th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice|

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Every parent, caregiver, and community member expects schools to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Yet, across Kentucky, we continue to hear stories of students being harmed by those entrusted with their education. Too often these cases of educator sexual misconduct are met with delayed action, quiet dismissals, or a lack of accountability. This leaves students vulnerable and families without answers. Representative Tipton has filed legislation to address this issue for [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-08-11T16:45:26-04:00August 7th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

by Tara Grieshop-Goodwin The air conditioning unit at our house recently went out - at the peak of some of our hottest days of the summer. We had an older unit that our HVAC service person had been able to keep running with fixes and repairs for many years (even decades) past when most units last. But eventually the damage was too great for repair and we had a big expense to cover. We debated [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-07-24T12:51:49-04:00July 24th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|