News Room

New Report – Kinship Across Kentucky: Recommendations from Caregiver Voices

New Report – Kinship Across Kentucky: Recommendations from Caregiver Voices

LOUISVILLE, KY – When a child is separated from their parent, it’s the kinship and fictive kin caregivers who often step up to provide a familiar, stable, and nurturing home – either temporary or permanent – that preserves familial bonds and cultural connections. In Kentucky, approximately 55,000 children are being raised by a relative or trust family friend, which is at a rate twice the national average. During the summer of 2024, Kentucky Youth Advocates [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-10-03T08:55:17-04:00September 24th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room, Race Equity|

New Report – Fostering Connections: The Housing Landscape for Foster Care Alumni and Recommendations

New Report – Fostering Connections: The Housing Landscape for Foster Care Alumni and Recommendations

LOUISVILLE, KY – Everyone needs a safe, stable place to call home. However, a short supply of housing has made this increasingly difficult for Kentucky’s young people. The Fostering Connections: The Housing Landscape for Foster Care Alumni and Recommendations report, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, sheds light on the critical housing needs of young adults ages 18-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, particularly young adults who have spent time in foster care as children. Foster care [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-08-08T09:16:27-04:00August 8th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Statement on the Transition of KY’s Office of the Ombudsman

Statement on the Transition of KY’s Office of the Ombudsman

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – During the 2023 legislative session, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 48, a comprehensive bill that makes multiple organizational changes to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Within SB 48 a key win for kids and families was included that moved the Office of the Ombudsman from CHFS to the Auditor of [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-07-30T15:14:39-04:00July 30th, 2024|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on SB 151, Delays in Implementation, and the Impact on Kinship Families

Statement on SB 151, Delays in Implementation, and the Impact on Kinship Families

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY –We at Kentucky Youth Advocates were eager to celebrate final passage of Senate Bill 151 with bipartisan support – especially once the Governor signed it into law in April. We proudly supported Senator Julie Raque Adams’ legislation as a win for kids because of the opportunity for more flexibility and access to financial assistance for Kentucky’s kinship and [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-07-30T15:10:36-04:00July 30th, 2024|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

OP-ED: We must coalesce around improving Kentucky’s student outcomes

OP-ED: We must coalesce around improving Kentucky’s student outcomes

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on July 5, 2024. By Terry Brooks The annual national KIDS COUNT Data Book includes more data into which to dive than column inches allow. But an overview of the report reminds us that Kentucky is not the best place in America to be young. Or the second-best place. Or the 10th or the 20th or even 30th. Instead, the 2024 report card on the [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-07-08T11:36:32-04:00July 3rd, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Kids Count, News Room, Race Equity|

OP-ED: Parent Voice Can and Will Transform the Child Welfare System

OP-ED: Parent Voice Can and Will Transform the Child Welfare System

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader on June 27, 2024. By Valerie Frost and members of KY SEAT In 2010, the American Bar Association (ABA) Center on Children and the Law and other national partners began recognizing June as National Reunification Month. This month in particular, but also year-round, the mother and father members of KY SEAT – Kentucky’s statewide birth parent advisory council – want people to know that parents [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-06-27T15:13:32-04:00June 27th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Kentucky Ranks 38th in 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Equipping Kids to Learn

Kentucky Ranks 38th in 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Equipping Kids to Learn

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 X122 Chronic Absences, Drop in Test Scores: Kentucky Ranks 38th in 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Equipping Kids to Learn 50-State Data Show Academic Outcomes, Absence are Linked to Poverty, Trauma; Policymakers Must Act to Promote Kids' Future Success, Annie E. Casey Foundation Finds LOUISVILLE, KY — Kentucky ranks 38th in child well-being, according to the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report developed by [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-06-10T09:13:11-04:00June 10th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Statement on the Justice Department’s Investigation into Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice

Statement on the Justice Department’s Investigation into Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Call it a system failure. Call it a crisis. Call it a hot mess. Call it what you want but Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is failing kids and community safety every day. Kentucky’s leaders have abrogated their leadership responsibilities in this crucial arena so today’s announcement that the Justice Department is opening a statewide investigation into Kentucky’s [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-05-15T17:40:31-04:00May 15th, 2024|News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-04-30T11:47:02-04:00April 30th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|

OP-ED: A focus on prevention in the mission to end child abuse

OP-ED: A focus on prevention in the mission to end child abuse

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on April 24, 2024. By Barry Dunn and Shannon Moody Child abuse cases grab headlines and our hearts. We are often left asking: “how could this happen?” and “who would hurt an innocent child?” Substantiated cases of child abuse lead to intervention measures, which are necessary when a child can no longer safely be with their parents due to abuse or neglect. Intervention can include [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-04-25T12:28:25-04:00April 25th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|