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Statement on Governor Beshear Appointment of Department for Community Based Services Commissioner

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentucky’s kids and families won – and won big today when Governor Andy Beshear named Marta Miranda-Straub as Commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). Marta has been my friend and colleague for a decade, as we have partnered on efforts like the Kosair Charities’ Face It Movement. In that time, I have come to respect her as [...]

By |2020-06-17T15:27:34-04:00June 17th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, Health, News Room|
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A Recommitment to Doing Our Part in Confronting Racism

Kentucky Youth Advocates is serious when we assert a vision to “make Kentucky the best place in America to be young.” And yet, we know that vision is elusive as long as a child’s skin color still shapes their opportunity to thrive. And we know that is still true in Kentucky. The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery deserve condemnation by anyone with a heart and a brain. And yet as [...]

By |2020-08-19T08:24:50-04:00June 2nd, 2020|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Statement on Beshear Administration Allowing HANDS Home Visiting Services via Telehealth

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates  The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unparalleled challenges for families and obligations for our leaders. Today, the Beshear Administration took pragmatic action by answering the call of advocates to enact emergency regulations for the HANDS home visiting service during this unprecedented public health emergency. Even in “normal” circumstances, parenting is tough, and the lack of knowledge of how to ensure a healthy [...]

By |2020-05-21T12:11:56-04:00May 20th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, Health, News Room|
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Statement on Official Appointment of Eric Friedlander as Secretary of CHFS

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Every Kentucky kid and family won yesterday when Governor Beshear officially appointed Eric Friedlander as Secretary of the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. I have had the opportunity to work with and frankly assess more than a half dozen Cabinet Secretaries.  The formula for success – or the recipe for failure – is pretty clear. The Secretary has to [...]

By |2020-05-05T12:33:05-04:00May 5th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Bounce Coalition Joining Kentucky Youth Advocates to Expand Efforts to Build Resilient Families and Trauma-Informed Communities

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Louisville, KY – The Bounce Coalition is joining Kentucky Youth Advocates to further strengthen its efforts as a collaborative network of professionals and advocates that works to increase understanding of the impact of childhood trauma, address the root causes of poor health and inequities, and improve outcomes of all Kentucky children. “The Bounce Coalition has had success in working with agencies serving children to better understand the immense impact childhood trauma can have [...]

By |2020-04-22T11:17:45-04:00April 22nd, 2020|News Room|
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Statement on Passage of the Final State Budget

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates As final state budget discussions shifted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor and General Assembly had the needs of kids and families in mind. In the now one-year state budget, we’re celebrating wins and reflecting on areas in which our attention must focus on federal advocacy to ensure there aren’t gaps in critical programs and supports [...]

By |2020-04-20T15:50:18-04:00April 20th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Medicaid, News Room|
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Statement on HB 47 Passing the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentuckians who are child victims of sexual abuse deserve to have their voices heard, and they are one step closer to that opportunity today with passage of House Bill 47 by the Kentucky House. HB 47, sponsored by Representative Lynn Bechler, creates an opportunity for child victims of sexual assault or abuse to seek justice through civil claims [...]

By |2020-03-19T17:37:55-04:00March 19th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Statement on SB 40 Heading to the Governor’s Desk

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Child abuse is a community issue, and there are many ways to we can all play a role in prevention. Today, the Kentucky House confirmed state lawmakers’ role in prevention by passing Senate Bill 40 through consent orders. SB 40, championed by Senator Ralph Alvarado, will ensure foster care agencies have access to the necessary information about employees, [...]

By |2020-03-19T17:30:53-04:00March 19th, 2020|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Statement on SB 56 Heading to the Governor’s Desk

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates With the e-cigarette epidemic impacting kids across the Commonwealth, we applaud Senator Ralph Alvarado for championing Senate Bill 56 to ensure Kentucky complies with the new federal Tobacco-21 law, and we thank the Kentucky House for supporting its passage through consent orders today. This measure seeks to codify in state law a minimum legal sale age of 21 for tobacco [...]

By |2020-03-19T17:27:02-04:00March 19th, 2020|Health, News Room|
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Statement on SB 158 Passing the House Education Committee

Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates The negative impact of wrong-headed and irrationally high stakes accountability and assessment on Kentucky’s kids – and on dedicated public school professionals – is incalculable. Kentucky students must have a rigorous education system but also deserve one that is developmentally appropriate.  And Kentucky’s educators merit an accountability system that recognizes their expertise. Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Senate [...]

By |2020-03-18T09:37:09-04:00March 18th, 2020|Education, News Room|
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