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 [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Judiciary Chair Joseph Fischer and committee members for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chair Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who get back on track expunge additional offenses. We must hold youth accountable, but we know kids make mistakes. Those mistakes should not hold youth back from opportunities to learn and work. SB 195 will help [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud Chairman Joseph Fischer and members of the House Judiciary Committee for Passing SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after reentry into the community. Kentucky has the highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. SB 120 [...]

Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates HB 520, sponsored by Chairman John Carney, to allow high quality charter schools has passed the Kentucky House. This bill incorporates important lessons learned from the national experience around charter schools. It incorporates research-based and proven standards around accountability, authorization, best practice, financing, and certification. We appreciate Chairman Carney’s commitment to Kentucky students who receive free or reduced lunch at [...]