Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Common sense won in the 6th Circuit Court ruling. And so did kids. All children who are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect have undergone trauma. And all of them need support from caring and capable adults who have the resources to meet their needs. For too long in Kentucky, we have created a false dichotomy in [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank the Kentucky General Assembly for sending SB 120 to Governor Bevin’s desk for signature. SB 120, sponsored by Whitney Westerfield, will help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after reentry into the community. In Kentucky, 13% of kids have experienced parental incarceration, the highest rate in the [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org JEFFERSONTOWN, KY – An easy-to-use snapshot that compares counties within states, the eighth annual County Health Rankings show that where you live influences how well and how long you live. The local level data makes it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond healthcare including housing, education, jobs, access to healthy foods, and more. “The reality is, children’s health is touched deeply and pervasively by where they live, [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Gathering a consensus when it comes to accountability and assessment is a miracle. Senator Mike Wilson pulled off such a miracle in crafting Senate Bill 1. SB 1 will be a catalyst for better teaching and learning in each of Kentucky’s schools. Its premise is that the professionalism of principals and teachers needs to be honored, unnecessary bureaucratic red tape [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentucky Youth Advocates applauds the work of the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives for their work to create a charter school bill that creates opportunity for students in Kentucky. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates have consistently asserted three key points in the charter school debate. First, there are clearly good and bad charter experiences in this nation and we [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the Kentucky House for passing SB 120 with broad bipartisan support. SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, will help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after re-entry into the community. Over 1 in 10 children in Kentucky have experienced parental incarceration, the highest rate in the nation, [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the Kentucky House for unanimously passing SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, to close the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters. Children deserve to learn, play, and grow safe from abuse. SB 236 will increase the safety of children in the care [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates  HB 520 can be a real opportunity for vulnerable kids in Kentucky who need a fresh start as learners. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates have consistently asserted three key points in the charter school debate. First, there are clearly good and bad charter experiences in this nation and we need to learn lessons from those. Secondly, high quality charters can [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates  We thank the Kentucky House for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who have been held accountable and stay out of trouble expunge additional offenses. We also thank Representative Joseph Fischer for presenting the bill on the House floor. When kids get back on track, we must ensure they are prepared to succeed in the future. SB 195 will make youth record [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Health and Family Services Chair Addia Wuchner and members of the committee for passing SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. SB 236 seeks to close the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters. Stronger background checks will help ensure that kids are [...]