Terry Brooks is joined by Shane Noem, a Republican lobbyist from Northern Kentucky with Roebling Solutions and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member, and Abby Piper, Founder & Managing Partner of the government and public relations firm Piper Smith based in Lexington. Terry shares KYA's recap of "fumbles" for kids by the 2024 General Assembly and facilitates a debrief of the legislative session with our guests. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children [...]

Terry Brooks is joined by Barry Dunn, President & CEO of Kosair for Kids, and Shannon Moody, KYA's Chief Policy & Strategy Officer, for a look at the Face It Movement's efforts over the last decade. As part of a call to action for Child Abuse Prevention Month, they discuss the state of child maltreatment in the Commonwealth, the growth and impact of Face It, and how everyone can play a role in prevention.Learn more [...]

Terry Brooks and Kentucky Youth Advocates' policy team discuss the status of the 2024 state budget proposal as the General Assembly begins conference committee negotiations, and offer advocates calls to action to ensure kids and families are prioritized in the final biennial budget. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY.  Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making [...]

Terry Brooks speaks with Senator Max Wise, Chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee, to discuss the General Assembly's school safety efforts since 2019 and components of Senate Bill 2 of 2024. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count [...]

As part of Children's Advocacy Week 2024, Terry Brooks speaks with leaders of the Education Committees -- Representative James Tipton and Senator Jimmy Higdon. They discuss the state of K-12 education and school choice, teacher workforce, student mental health, and more. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky [...]

As part of Children's Advocacy Week 2024, Shannon Moody speaks with the chairs of the Families and Children Committees -- first with Senator Danny Carroll and then with Representative Samara Heavrin. They discuss a variety of topics discussed within their committees, from child care and early childhood education to foster care and kinship care to paid family leave. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are [...]

Terry Brooks offers predictions of the 2024 General Assembly, reflections on the legislative session so far, and a look ahead to Children's Advocacy Week. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY.  Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed [...]

Terry Brooks is joined by Bill Goodman, executive director of Kentucky Humanities, for a conversation with Cara Fitzpatrick, author of “The Death of Public School: How Conservatives Won the War Over Education in America." They discuss Fitzpatrick's book, the national landscape of school choice, and what it means for Kentucky. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about [...]

Terry Brooks discusses the 2023 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, including the latest data on 16 measures of child well-being and an analysis of the "kid workforce" -- the committed adults that support and impact the well-being of Kentucky’s children and youth. View the County Data Book, our press release, county profiles, and more at https://kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/. The 2023 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation [...]