You had to work. You couldn’t miss school. You couldn’t swing the gas money. For all of you out there who really wanted to, but just couldn’t attend Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol today in Frankfort, we are here to say, “THAT’S OK!” All right, yes, we missed you, BUT you can still support our collective effort from home or work! In fact, you can amplify the efforts of the 1,000+ child advocates gathered [...]
The timing was surreal. My good friend and colleague DeWayne Westmoreland was leading KYA’s landmark research effort around alternative programs. DeWayne was visiting alternative programs from Paducah to Prestonsburg. As he walked into one program operated by the local school district, the place was abuzz with excitement. After asking and asking and asking for additional administrative support, finally help was on the way. “We are going to get an assistant principal at last,” opined everyone [...]
All children deserve the best possible health opportunities to set the stage for positive health outcomes into adulthood. Unfortunately, childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels, putting thousands of Kentucky children at risk for poor health. Kentucky has the 3rd highest rate in the nation of overweight and obese children ages 10-17 at 37.1 percent. Childhood obesity affects very young children as well. In 2010, the obesity rate for Kentucky children ages 2-4 in the Supplemental [...]
Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates released a new issue brief, “Ending Corporal Punishment in Kentucky Public Schools.” Kentucky is one of 19 states that still permit the use of corporal punishment in public schools. The issue brief highlights the negative consequences corporal punishment has on students, the disproportionate use with certain student populations, and alternative approaches to school discipine that are more effective and can improve outcomes for all children. In Kentucky, local boards of education [...]
Dear Governor Beshear, Congratulations on your re-election on November 8. Your impressive share of the vote brings to mind that axiom from the astute political observer, Charlie Brown, who opined, “A great potential is the heaviest burden to bear.” That is so apropos to your second term. Let’s be honest – history is not kind to chief executives whether their second terms are at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or in the Kentucky’s Governor Mansion. All too [...]
Children can’t vote or contribute to campaigns, but the issues that impact their lives will be decided by the choices we make this coming Tuesday when we head to the polls. Right now, children in Kentucky face a mountain of challenges: Kentucky leads the nation in the number of child deaths from abuse and neglect, places 6th in child poverty, and places 3rd in child obesity. Over the past three weeks we have used this [...]
“I feel safe and cared for, mommy.” “I feel healthy and nourished, daddy.” “I am ready for school!” These are not likely statements that I would hear from my 2 and 4 year old children, but I might hear – “I love you mama,” “Hug me dada,” a round of the a b c’s, or funny stories about their best friends, Henry and Finn. These things melt my heart on a daily basis and give [...]
Unfortunately this fall makes both Cards’ and Cats’ fans turn to basketball rather than the gridiron. As we prepare for basketballs’ opening games, picture a standing room only crowd of “these kids” at Rupp Arena and another packed house of “these kids” at the YUM!Center. And then think about some 25,000 more of “these kids” who can’t squeeze in. The 70,000 “these kids” to whom I refer are the young people enrolled … or perhaps, [...]
New education data on the KIDS COUNT Data Center reveals that the number of Kentucky students eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school has steadily risen throughout the recent economic recession. In school year 2007-2008, there were 355,992 students eligible, and in school year 2010-2011, that number rose to 395,486. The percent of eligible students remained greater than 50 percent throughout those years, and school year 2010-2011 was marked by the largest percentage in [...]
Today, the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners introduce the 2012 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children Agenda. The agenda outlines the issues facing Kentucky’s children and families today and describes the policy solutions that have been identified by advocates from across the state to improve child well-being in the Commonwealth. To join the effort to make Kentucky the best place to be kid, sign on to be an official Blueprint Partner today! You can fill out the [...]