Health

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week – Kentucky Needs Improvement

Experts agree that breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants and is associated with numerous positive outcomes for both babies and mothers. Yet, Kentucky has the 5th lowest rate in the nation of babies who were ever breastfed at just over half (57.8%) of Kentucky children born in 2008. We have actually made progress from two years ago when we were second to last, however there is still plenty of room for improvement. What’s the [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2011-08-02T10:25:18-04:00August 2nd, 2011|Blog, Health|

Hold Kids Harmless: Sign-On Letter to President and Congressional Leadership

Kentucky Youth Advocates recently signed on to the following letter from the First Focus Campaign for Children, asking President Obama and Congressional Leadership to keep children safe when finalizing a deal to raise the debt ceiling. Simply put, cuts to the children’s budget hurts kids, and only makes a dent in the deficit. We are looking for Kentucky organizations who are also interested in adding their name to the letter! Dear Mr. President and Congressional [...]

By Patricia Tennen|2011-07-28T10:35:53-04:00July 28th, 2011|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|

We’re Hot in Washington

We picked a hot time to visit with Kentucky’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C, both literally and figuratively.… We spent a lot of time trying not to melt in the heat on our walks between offices, while sensing the intense heat Congress faces to address the current budget crisis. As we waited for each of our meetings to begin, staffers were frantically answering phones trying to keep up with call after call about the debt [...]

By Katie Carter|2011-07-28T10:32:42-04:00July 28th, 2011|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, Youth Justice|

Kentucky Tonight Reflection: Children and the Debt Ceiling Debate

My head is spinning after spending an hour yesterday evening on Kentucky Tonight, discussing the federal debt ceiling with three other panelists. As usual, host Bill Goodman did his job masterfully, orchestrating discussions around tough topics in a low-keyed, thoughtful and open manner. (I wish we had more Bill Goodmans on the Sunday news shows and the nightly cable talk shows. Maybe thoughtfulness would replace rhetorical ideology!) None of the conversation really surprised me. Sadly, [...]

By Terry Brooks|2011-07-19T10:44:54-04:00July 19th, 2011|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, Youth Justice|

Statement: Focusing Solely on Spending in State Budget Ignored Realities Facing Kentucky Families

Focusing Solely on Spending in State Budget Ignores Realities Facing Kentucky Families Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates “The Kentucky Chamber released a follow-up to their 2009 study, the Leaky Bucket, with an update focusing on reforming state spending in Kentucky. The Chamber provides a valuable voice on the issue and represents the business community with real power. Unfortunately, the Chamber’s report ignores the realities of whatKentucky children and families face, particularly [...]

By Terry Brooks|2011-07-12T11:00:53-04:00July 12th, 2011|Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Youth Justice|