Health Archives - Kentucky Youth Advocates

Emergency Broadband Benefit: Let’s Get Families Connected

Emergency Broadband Benefit: Let’s Get Families Connected

Let’s get more communities and families digitally connected! May 12, 2021 marks the launch of the temporary, federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. This program, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is geared toward connecting more households to the internet at a time when we rely on digital connectivity more than ever before. The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program, established by Congress last year in response to ongoing economic hardships caused by the [...]

By Mara Powell|2021-05-13T09:49:10-04:00May 13th, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health|

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

The recent announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the process of banning all menthol flavoring in cigarettes and cigars is a huge step in reducing youth and young adult tobacco addiction, addressing health equity, and improving health outcomes. This announcement ensures that the FDA’s next steps will be establishing rules and an opportunity for public comment on the ban of menthol flavoring in cigarettes and all flavoring in cigars within the [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-05-06T23:23:32-04:00May 6th, 2021|Blog, Health, Race Equity|

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

The month of May in Kentucky brings warmer weather, Derby excitement, and the end of another school year, but it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This national month of recognition aims to educate and provide resources for individuals, families, and children about the importance of taking care of their mental health needs. This year’s theme - “You Are Not Alone” - emphasizes the importance of connecting with others in a safe way and taking [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-05-03T15:39:08-04:00May 3rd, 2021|Blog, Education, Health|

Thank You: Wins for Kids in the 2021 General Assembly

Thank You: Wins for Kids in the 2021 General Assembly

The final gavel sounded on the 2021 General Assembly this week! This year, the Governor and the Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a continuation budget, addressing the systemic injustices that impact our children and families of color, advancing policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 [...]

By Mahak Kalra|2021-04-15T16:57:00-04:00March 31st, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

Statement on Final Budget Passage by the Kentucky General Assembly

Statement on Final Budget Passage by the Kentucky General Assembly

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – From the start, the 2021 state budget process was filled with perplexing complexities. One, because the Governor and Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a continuation budget due to timing constraints brought on by the pandemic during the 2020 legislative session. Two, leaders were faced with tough decisions as Kentucky embraces the ongoing ripple effects of [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2021-03-31T15:07:13-04:00March 31st, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid, News Room, Race Equity|

Supporting Child Hunger Efforts Beyond Nutrition Month

Supporting Child Hunger Efforts Beyond Nutrition Month

During Nutrition Month in March, national and state advocacy groups are asking for increased supports and efforts around feeding programs. As Kentucky continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we know child feeding programs are essential for kids and families as more than 20% of Kentucky households with children reported sometimes or often not having enough food to eat at the end of 2020, a rate that has been increasing since October. Temporary changes to [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-04-06T12:40:58-04:00March 31st, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Health|

Assessment of the Louisville Youth Behavioral Health Landscape and Recommendations

Assessment of the Louisville Youth Behavioral Health Landscape and Recommendations

Register to join Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM for Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids, a virtual summit to encourage healthier and more resilient kids in Louisville. Attendees will learn more about the recent research surveying the landscape of Louisville’s behavioral system for kids, and connect with providers, advocates, professionals who work with youth, and others as [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-04-28T14:29:01-04:00March 30th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, Race Equity|

Study Reveals Gaps in Behavioral Health Services for Louisville’s Vulnerable Youth

Study Reveals Gaps in Behavioral Health Services for Louisville’s Vulnerable Youth

Study Reveals Gaps in Behavioral Health Services for Louisville’s Vulnerable Youth Kentucky Youth Advocates and Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Lead Collaborative Effort to Identify Solutions and Address Barriers CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, conducted 10 virtual focus groups and disseminated an online survey to learn more about behavioral health supports and services available to youth in Louisville, along with [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2021-03-30T11:56:04-04:00March 30th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Healthy Habits in Childhood Lead to Healthy Choices in Adulthood

Healthy Habits in Childhood Lead to Healthy Choices in Adulthood

March is National Nutrition Month, an important time to recognize and celebrate alongside advocates and the community. Research shows that food and beverage choices are important factors for healthy growth and development, and maintaining good health and oral health. In partnership with the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, we promote optimal health and oral health throughout the lifetime, but we know that health habits learned early on can lead to healthy choices in adulthood. One of the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children 2020 legislative priorities related to nutrition – health [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2021-03-18T16:56:39-04:00March 18th, 2021|Blog, Education, Health|

The American Rescue Plan: What’s in it and how will it impact families?

The American Rescue Plan: What’s in it and how will it impact families?

This week, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the American Rescue Plan, which aims to deliver continued aid to the American people as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside. The legislation provides a total of approximately $1.9 trillion divided among numerous priorities and is considered to be among the most progressive pieces of legislation in a generation. Here are some of the ways the American Rescue Plan will impact children and [...]

By Ben Gies|2021-03-11T20:44:36-05:00March 11th, 2021|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health|

ACTION ALERTS!