Statement on Governor Andy Beshear’s State of the Commonwealth Address

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We agree with Governor Andy Beshear that every vulnerable child is a critical priority for all of us. In fact, every child is a critical priority because in every child lies a promise and a potential. Much of what the Governor said this evening in his first state of the Commonwealth address echoes the core foundations of the [...]

The Countdown is On: Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol is January 23rd!

With Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol only days away, be sure you’re registered to join hundreds of advocates and youth from across Kentucky in Frankfort on January 23rd. Kentucky kids need advocates like you to speak up on their behalf on Children’s Advocacy Day and throughout the 2020 Kentucky legislative session. As you prepare for Children’s Advocacy Day, check these to-do items off the list: Register for Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol so you don't [...]

Statement on Governor-Elect Beshear Announcement on CHFS and Justice Cabinet Secretaries

Today’s announcement of new leadership for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Justice Cabinet is no small matter for kids in Kentucky. There are perhaps no two positions more vital when it comes to child well-being. We applaud Governor-elect Beshear for naming two outstanding leaders today. We look forward to working with Secretary Mary Noble to enact family-focused reform of the criminal justice system. Thirteen percent of Kentucky kids have had a [...]

Launching the 2020 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children

Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners from across the commonwealth are launching the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children's 2020 policy and state budget priorities! The Blueprint for Kentucky's Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for Kentucky kids. The Blueprint stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. [...]

What’s Next? Looking Ahead to 2020 for Kentucky Kids

This post was originally posted as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on November 26, 2019. Check out additional op-eds featured in the Courier Journal highlighting KIDS COUNT data from a youth formerly in foster care Christopher Hagans, school nurse Eva Stone, education leaders Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, and child care center director Kristie Dover. “So now what happens?” That’s the question posed by one of my twin 9-year-old granddaughters the day after the Nov. 5 election. [...]

2019 KIDS COUNT County Data Book: Latest County-Level Trends in Child Well-Being

The 2019 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book offers the latest data on 17 measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the commonwealth have improved, worsened, or stayed the same over a five-year period. Detailed data is available for every Kentucky county at www.kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/. “More than 1 million children in Kentucky are relying on all of us—from the statehouse to your house—to put them and their futures first. Kids’ issues are the common ground [...]

Children With Incarcerated Parents Too Often Overlooked

By Judi Jennings, Ph.D. Louisville Family Justice Advocates Special Project art activity by Layfierre Mitchell October is national SEE US SUPPORT US Month led by the New York-based Osborne Foundation to raise public awareness about the impact of parental incarceration on children. Parental incarceration is more than a temporary separation of child and parent because incarceration affects children differently than other forms of parental loss. Having an incarcerated parent carries strong social stigma [...]

By |2019-10-23T08:53:19-04:00October 23rd, 2019|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Justice|

5 Things to Know About the 2019 Census Test

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently conducting a test in preparation for the 2020 Census next year. Your household might be asked to participate in this test, or a participant may turn to you for more information about it. Here is what you should know about the 2019 Census Test: 1. This is just a test – the actual decennial census takes place in 2020. 2. 480,000 households are receiving a questionnaire – half will [...]

“Anything Can Be” Moment for Kentucky Kids

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal and Kentucky Today on June 18, 2019.  By Terry Brooks, executive director Kentucky Youth Advocates Shel Silverstein, the late and wonderful children’s author, urges: “Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” With the release of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2019 [...]

Gavel Comes Down, Party Decorations Go Up: Cheers for Children Celebration on April 11th

As the gavel falls on the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly, party decorations are going up! Kentucky kids—and the committed advocates, caregivers, and volunteers who support those kids every day—have a lot to celebrate. On April 11th you can join the celebration at Cheers for Children, Kentucky Youth Advocates’ annual fundraiser where we ask for your support as the independent voice for Kentucky kids in Frankfort. (Check out a recap of last year’s event, including photos, [...]

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