This Week in the Kentucky Legislature – Snow Days and Cold Temperatures

Photo credit: capitol.ky.gov Winter decided it wanted to intervene with progress in Frankfort this week and brought a blanket of snow and cold temperatures. We hope everyone out there stayed safe and warm in this extreme weather. Due to the weather, the Kentucky House and Senate both cancelled session Tuesday and Wednesday. (They were already scheduled to be out Monday due to President’s Day.) The House ended up taking off the rest of [...]

If Your Representative Voted Yes on Smoke-Free, Please Thank Him or Her Today!

Good news!  We are one step closer to helping protect pregnant women and children from secondhand smoke with a statewide smoke-free law in Kentucky. HB 145 passed the KY House of Representatives last Friday by a vote of 51 to 46.  This is the very first time the KY House has voted on and passed smoke-free legislation - so thanks for helping us make history. As this process moves forward, we will work to ensure [...]

By |2015-02-16T10:08:47-05:00February 16th, 2015|Blog, Health|

This Week in the Kentucky Legislature: Speedy Bills

In a short legislative session (only 30 days), bills need to move fast if they’re going to make it. And several Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities moved forward this week. HB 145 to create a statewide indoor smoke-free law passed the full House on February 13. This is the first time a statewide smoke-free bill has cleared the Kentucky House and was an important step forward in clearing the air for Kentucky children and pregnant [...]

By |2015-02-13T10:50:54-05:00February 13th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Go Smoke-Free for Kids

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier-Journal. You can view it online here. Over a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt read Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle.” The author painted a portrait of the meat industry where rats, putrid meat, and poisoned rat bait were routinely ground up into sausages. Roosevelt had a decision to make. He could place the rights of business over protecting the safety of the public. Or, he could prioritize protecting [...]

By |2015-02-13T08:15:37-05:00February 13th, 2015|Blog, Health|

Kicking Off Children’s Dental Health Month

Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month with a goal to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The ADA, in collaboration with dental professionals, health care providers, and oral heath advocates, has worked consistently to spread the message of the importance of children’s oral health to communities across the country. Kentucky's State Legislature also took part in recognizing the importance of children's oral health. House Resolution 61, [...]

By |2015-02-11T11:16:13-05:00February 11th, 2015|Blog, Health, Kids Count|

11th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day Recap

Yesterday’s Children’s Advocacy Day was one of the biggest yet, with over 700 children, youth, and adults attending to ask leaders to step up for kids in 2015. Thank you to the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners, sponsors, speakers, performers, and elected and appointed officials who made the day possible. And thank you to the hundreds of people—including more than 150 youth—who prioritized Kentucky’s kids and took time to advocate on their behalf! During the [...]

This Week in the Kentucky Legislature: Bill Filings and a Big Step Forward

This week was the first week back of the legislature after they took a month-long break during January. A lot happened on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities this week, and with this being a short session, we expect action to pick up quickly. HB 145 to create a comprehensive, statewide indoor smoke-free law passed the House Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday, February 5 with testimony from a bipartisan group of legislators from the House [...]

By |2015-02-06T10:58:27-05:00February 6th, 2015|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Kentucky Kids Need You: Children’s Advocacy Day Art 2015

Children’s Advocacy Day is an opportunity for advocates to tell elected officials to stand up for kids and protect Kentucky children. But oftentimes kids don’t have the opportunity to tell those leaders what it is that they need in their homes, schools, and communities. This year, children across the Commonwealth created art and wrote essays telling elected officials what “Kentucky kids need.” That art has been hanging in the tunnel that connects the Capitol to [...]

Blueprint for KY’s Children Legislative Updates

Check here for up to date information on important legislation related to the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children during the 2015 Kentucky General Assembly.   1. Protect children from abuse by ensuring educators receive information on child abuse recognition and reporting SB 119 sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams (companion bill to HB 301) Feb 4 - Introduced in the Senate Feb 6 - Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Feb 12 - Passed Senate Judiciary Committee Feb [...]

Children’s Advocacy Day: One Week and Counting!

The 11th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day is only one week away. Will you be there next Thursday, February 5th? Hundreds of youth and adults from across the Commonwealth will attend Children’s Advocacy Day to encourage their legislators to step up for kids in 2015. By going to Frankfort on February 5th, you will be one of those advocates for Kentucky’s children. Whether you are a young person or an adult, your voice matters. Whether you [...]

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