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25th Edition of National KIDS COUNT Data Book Highlights Changes in Child Well-Being Since 1990

Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY – Kentucky ranks 35th in the nation on overall child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2014 national KIDS COUNT Data Book co-released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates. This year’s book marks the 25th edition of the annual publication. The national KIDS COUNT Data Book provides state level data and rankings. The 2014 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, which includes county level data and rankings, will be released in September. In addition to ranking 35th in overall child well-being, Kentucky ranks 35th in Economic Well-Being, 30th in [...]

By |2014-07-22T00:01:48-04:00July 22nd, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, News Room, Youth Justice|
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You as a Results-Based Advocate

Child advocates in Kentucky are entering the annual policy prioritization process by working together to develop the 2015 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children agenda. By now you have likely participated in the annual policy survey, debated with fellow advocates about what priorities should be included, served on a workgroup, helped to fund the efforts, passed information on to your colleagues, and/or shared your ideas about what we need to focus on to make Kentucky the best place to grow up. It is an [...]

By |2014-07-15T10:43:07-04:00July 15th, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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Reminder – Just a Few Days Left to Take the Blueprint Survey!

Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Blueprint Steering Committee invite you to give your input on the potential priorities for the 2015 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children agenda. Click here to take the survey by July 15. The Blueprint for Kentucky's Children is a policy initiative created by children's advocates across the Commonwealth to address the most pressing challenges facing Kentucky children. The Blueprint seeks safe and healthy families, a fair deal for working parents and a fair opportunity [...]

By |2014-07-08T12:44:06-04:00July 8th, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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The Other Side of Freedom

There is a lot of talk about freedom in the political atmospherics of today.  When most politicians are using that word “freedom” in 2014, they are talking about citizens NOT having to do something.  And while our Founding Fathers used “freedom” that way occasionally – like not paying that tax on tea – a dive into real American history would reveal that the Washingtons and Jeffersons and Franklins and Adams seldom used “freedom” without connecting it to “responsibility.” Perhaps the contemporary American who most captures the Founding [...]

By |2014-07-03T09:12:07-04:00July 3rd, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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Lessons Learned from a Graduation for Youth in Foster Care: Part 3

For the last couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on an early June graduation ceremony I attended to celebrate foster youth.  Sponsored by True Up, Benchmark, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Kentucky Safe, and the Department for Community Based Services, this event at the Home of the Innocents inspired and challenged me.  As an example, it made me wonder what would happen if public schools were as attuned to developmentally appropriate processes as that unique graduation event was.  It made wonder about the fundamental [...]

By |2014-07-02T10:31:50-04:00July 2nd, 2014|Blog, Education|
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Ready Kids Conference Affirms Importance of Quality Early Learning Experiences

More than a week after attending the three day long Ready Kids Conference presented by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, I am still reflecting on all of the things I learned. The conference kicked off with powerful messages from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, Governor Beshear, and guest speaker and, former Congressman, author and Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Save the Children, Mark Shriver. The overall message from the opening plenary being that the earliest years are some of the most important, and we need to make sure kids get the [...]

By |2014-07-02T10:10:28-04:00July 2nd, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|
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Help Determine 2015 Policy Priorities for the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children

Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Blueprint Steering Committee invite you to give your input on the potential priorities for the 2015 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children agenda. Click here to take the survey. The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a policy initiative created by children’s advocates across the Commonwealth to address the most pressing challenges facing Kentucky children. The Blueprint seeks safe and healthy families, a fair deal for working parents and a fair opportunity for every child [...]

By |2014-07-01T07:46:33-04:00July 1st, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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Governor Beshear Delivers on Promise to Restore Child Care Assistance

Children in Kentucky saw an amazing win this past April when Governor Beshear and state legislators restored funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in the 2015-2016 state budget which begins on July 1. Since the legislative session ended, parents, providers and advocates have anxiously awaited the details of how the restored funding will roll out. Last Friday we got those details. Governor Beshear announced he will increase the eligibility for child care assistance for Fiscal Year 2015 to 140 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and open up the program on August [...]

By |2014-06-26T06:25:37-04:00June 26th, 2014|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education|
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Lessons Learned from a Graduation for Youth in Foster Care – Part 2

Last week, I referenced a rather magical and unique event that happened in early June for foster care youth graduating from residential agencies in the Louisville area.  Sponsored by True Up, Benchmark, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Kentucky Safe, and the Department for Community Based Services, the ceremony was animated by real attention to these young people – their needs; their goals; and, their futures.  As referenced in last week’s blog, I celebrated the quality and student-centric nature of the event, but [...]

By |2014-06-25T06:25:08-04:00June 25th, 2014|Blog, Education|
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