Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY - Today, new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey confirms that child poverty remains high in Kentucky. This data provides stronger estimates due to larger sample sizes and different methodology than the Current Population Survey supplemental data released on Tuesday. The American Community Survey data released today revealed that in 2013, 25.3 percent of Kentucky children lived in poverty, compared to 22.2 percent nationwide. This put Kentucky at 40th in the nation for child poverty out [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY – New Current Population Survey supplemental data, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, provides an updated status of kids and families in Kentucky, including new data on poverty. Additional data will be released on Thursday, September 18 from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, which tracks similar measures. While the national data shows the child poverty rate declined for the first time since 2000, Kentucky’s data is [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY – The 2014 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates provides a picture of the status of children in Kentucky counties based on 16 indicators of child well-being. State and local leaders can use the book to help evaluate what is going well for kids and where improvements need to be made. This is the 24th annual release of the Kentucky County Data Book, which represents [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org 502-381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY – A new issue brief from Kentucky Youth Advocates, Integrated Health Care Benefits Kentucky's Children, examines the advantages of integrated health care as a way to improve the health of children in the state. In Kentucky, too many children struggle with poor health or have special health care needs. Kentucky’s health care system has undergone many changes in recent years. As these changes continue to be implemented, it [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org (502)381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY - Today, the House passed SB 200 - a significant piece of legislation to move Kentucky forward on doing what works in juvenile justice and to use taxpayer dollars more wisely. SB 200 will achieve better outcomes for children and their families by only using incarceration and out-of-home placements when necessary. Research shows kids can often be more effectively served in the community. We commend Representative Tilley and Senator Westerfield for their [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org (502) 381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY - We celebrate today’s passage of SB 176 by the Kentucky House sponsored by Senator Denise Harper Angel. This important bill for kinship families has now passed both chambers and should soon head to the Governor for his signature. SB 176 affirms the importance Kentuckians place on family values. It ensures that the 59,000 children in Kentucky being raised by grandparents and other relatives can access fundamental services like health [...]

Contact: Andrea Bennett abennett@kyyouth.org (502) 381-1176 Jeffersontown, KY - Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed SB 200, meaning the bill is just steps away from becoming a reality. SB 200 will ensure better outcomes for children and their families by reducing Kentucky’s use of incarceration and out-of-home placements when research shows kids can be more effectively served in the community. We commend Representative Tilley and Senator Westerfield for their leadership to make sure Kentucky spends [...]