I heard a great quote that has stuck with me for a couple years: “All a leader has to stand on is her results." This, to me, was so powerful and resonates with me when I think about my role as a child advocate. As you well know – children are waiting for us adults to get things right for them. They may not know it, but they are waiting for dentists and doctors to [...]
Today’s television programming seemingly brims over with a million options -- reality shows, partisan cable news, and food shows (And, yes, there are thankfully fifteen ESPN channels!). When I was growing up a million years ago, television programming was different to be sure. Three channels. Black and white. And the show options were “cowboys and Indians,” “Ed Sullivan” shielding America from Elvis’ dance moves and introducing us to the “lads from Liverpool,” and shows featuring [...]
When I tell people I work at a child advocacy organization, they often want to know more about what Kentucky Youth Advocates does. I explain that we want every Kentucky child to have the opportunity to succeed no matter where they were born or what family situation they are in. I explain that we work hard to ensure our elected leaders make policy decisions that are good for kids and families. And, I also explain what [...]
As referenced in my blog two weeks ago, I am inviting you to walk through the 2014 National KIDS COUNT Data Book, that was released on July 22nd, on an arena by arena basis over the next few weeks. The 2014 edition of “the nation’s report on kids” is especially fascinating to me as it is the silver anniversary. This gives us the opportunity to ask, “How are Kentucky kids faring compared to a quarter century ago?” This week the focus is on health and by any measure, Kentuckians [...]
The wait will finally be over for the many children, parents, and child care centers who were impacted by the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) cuts after the program re-opens Monday August 4, 2014. For over a year parents were unable to apply for CCAP due to the freeze on child care assistance applications. The freeze will be lifted and the eligibility level will increase to 140 percent of the federal poverty level, making it [...]
Comedy just may be as much about science as art. For instance, very specific humor genre have been designed. “Innovate Me” talks about the comedy genres of puns, tongue twisters, bumper sticker jokes, and professional jokes. In addition, some genres carry sub-genres; as an example, the genre of good news/bad jokes has sub-genres like “pastor jokes.” You know: Good News: The Women's Guild voted to send you a get-well card. Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30. Good News: The Elder Board accepted your job description the way [...]
As you are discussing an issue or idea with another, have you ever felt like shouting this headline about shouting? In today’s political environment, the litany of subjects which invariably yield to more heat than light is far too long. We could begin the list with the Affordable Care Act, the minimum wage and right to work legislation, casinos, climate change, the list goes on for issues that seemingly induce incivility? Despite bi-partisan support for public charter schools at the national [...]
It is July in Kentucky, and the frenzy of the legislative session is only a distant memory as summer staples like trips to grandma’s house, ice cream and fresh tomatoes from the garden fill our attention. Yet, July 15th brought reason to shift our attention momentarily back to the legislative session and celebrate the progress made. On that day, legislation took effect, including a number of substantive wins achieved in the 2014 legislative session for Kentucky children. As of July 15th, doctors who regularly treat children are required to receive training on [...]
Some things seemingly never change. Some things seem to always be changing. In 1990, the first car with a GPS system was sold and the first webpage was posted to the World Wide Web. TV critics panned 1990’s new television hit, “The Simpsons,” predicting an early demise of that production while movie critics were confident that Die Hard 2 was one too many of that cinematic premise. Who could have ever thought where those technological innovations and entertainment brands [...]
After a year of increases in the funding and access to early childhood education across the U.S., including Kentucky’s commitment to increase preschool funding by $18 million and the restoration of Kentucky’s Child Care Assistance Program, the public continues to support children’s opportunity to get a strong start. A recently released report on the results of a bi-partisan poll shows that voters across the political spectrum support investments in early childhood programs from birth to age five. Conducted by the bipartisan research team of Public [...]
