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Save the Date: 12th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day on January 14, 2016

This year’s Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol was one of the largest yet, with over 700 children, youth, and adults attending to ask their leaders to put kids first in the legislative session. We know that Children’s Advocacy Day played an essential role in three key Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children wins for kids this year—and in numerous other wins in the previous 10 years. With your support and commitment, that momentum will continue in [...]

By |2015-06-11T12:46:24-04:00June 11th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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Keep Kentucky Babies’ Health from Going Up in Smoke

Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies. Yet a stubbornly high statistic—smoking during pregnancy—warns us that too many Kentucky babies don't get a strong start. The data by county also shows us that counties with comprehensive smoke-free laws have lower rates of smoking during pregnancy. That's an observation backed up by research that shows such laws work to reduce smoking during pregnancy and keep unborn babies safe. Such laws would also prevent many more pregnant women from breathing [...]

By |2015-06-01T10:57:15-04:00June 1st, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health, Kids Count|
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Integrated Preventive Care Means Better Health Outcomes for Kids

According to the recent article “Offering Oral Health Services in Your Office” in Family Practice Management, family practitioners have been addressing children’s oral health for years. But, there is a lack of guidelines for physicians to effectively incorporate oral health services into their primary care practices. To help with this, the article offers suggestions for better incorporating oral health at the family physician’s office. Suggestions for a medical assistant or nurse: Assist parents in completing [...]

By |2015-05-27T09:30:58-04:00May 27th, 2015|Blog, Health|
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Foster Care Month: All Youth Deserve Access to Health Care and Better Health

As we continue to celebrate National Foster Care Month, supporting improved health outcomes and access to care for these young adults is critical to their overall health. Compared to youth in permanent families, youth who age out of foster care have disproportionately high rates of serious physical, mental, and behavioral health issues. They are more likely to have health issues that affect their day-to-day functioning and more likely to need psychological and substance abuse counseling. [...]

By |2015-05-18T10:15:09-04:00May 18th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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How to Use the KIDS COUNT Data Center

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Center is the premier source of data on child and family well-being in the United States. With thousands of indicators, it's a powerful resource for child advocates, educators, parents, grant writers, journalists, policymakers, and more. The KIDS COUNT Data Center puts the power of data at its users' fingertips, equipping individuals and communities to make a difference in the lives of children. Are you new to the [...]

By |2015-05-11T09:00:17-04:00May 11th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Youth Justice|
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Shared-Use Agreements Lead to Healthier Communities

Shared-use agreements are a good way to improve community health and well-being by increasing families' access to recreational facilities. A shared-use agreement is a formal agreement between a school and a community agency for the use of facilities, such as gymnasiums, tracks, cafeterias, and athletic fields, during non-school hours. Schools can share spaces with the YMCA or city government, for example, with the benefit of shared costs and protection from liability. The Kentucky Cancer Consortium and Kentucky [...]

By |2015-04-29T14:45:05-04:00April 29th, 2015|Blog, Health|
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New SNAP Benefits “Plant the Seeds” for a Healthier Kentucky

On the first warm weekend in March, my husband enlisted our daughters to help him prepare our vegetable garden beds and plant the first seeds – carrots, lettuce, kale, and swiss chard. Already, the green seedlings have sprouted and we are well on our way to some delicious home grown veggies. Later this summer, we will relish the vision of our daughters pulling the full grown carrots out of the garden with the beautiful green [...]

By |2015-04-23T10:41:36-04:00April 23rd, 2015|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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Congress Comes Through for Kids’ Health

Last night, the Senate passed legislation – known as the SGR-CHIP compromise – that will extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for two more years. Not only did Congress extend funding; they did so while protecting the successful structure of the program that is tailored to children’s needs. This is good news for the approximately 66,000 Kentucky children each month who receive quality health care coverage through Kentucky’s version – KCHIP. KCHIP offers affordable [...]

By |2015-04-15T16:00:45-04:00April 15th, 2015|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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Politics Produced Results for Kentucky Kids

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald-Leader. You can view it online here. Assessing what worked in the General Assembly for the commonwealth's children is pretty simple: leadership. The 2015 session — and in fact, the 2013 and 2014 sessions, as well — generated broad and deep progress on the passage of policies that are good for kids. This session saw the legislature's continued commitment to combating child abuse and neglect through [...]

By |2015-04-14T16:56:33-04:00April 14th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|
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Commissioner Teresa James Details Kentucky’s New Supportive Approach to Healthcare at 13th Annual Grandparents as Parents Conference

Relative caregivers, advocates, and kinship service providers gathered in Lexington on March 19th for the 13th Annual Grandparents as Parents Conference. Attendees participated in workshops on a variety of topics related to the unique challenges and needs of kinship families. One such workshop, facilitated by Teresa James, Commissioner of Kentucky’s Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), introduced the state’s new approach to mental health services and substance abuse treatment. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act [...]

By |2015-04-08T12:15:26-04:00April 8th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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