This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss updates from Part 1 of the Kentucky General Assembly, including bills filed related to kids and families, changes to the legislative session due to COVID, and an update on the state budget, as well as ways advocates can stay informed and take action throughout the legislative session. Learn more about the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children priorities, check out our Advocacy Toolkit, view our Bill [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the intersection of incarceration, substance abuse, and parenting--including new data about mothers who are incarcerated and state policy changes that would allow parents to be held accountable while remaining connected to their child. Panelists included Jennifer Hancock, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid-States, and Chaly Downs, graduate of VOA's Freedom House Women's Addiction Recovery Program. View slides from the presentation. Check out the [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children state policy priorities, which seeks to address child health, safety, education, families' economic security, and more. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers also joins the forum for a look ahead to the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly. As the commonwealth works to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address systemic racism, the Blueprint speaks with a common voice to [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we continue our discussion on data and policy solutions from the new 2020 KIDS COUNT County Data Book, including the theme of this year’s book — the impact of the “dual pandemics” of COVID-19 and racial injustice. A special thanks to state Senator Julie Raque Adams, Majority Caucus Chair, and state Representative Angie Hatton, Minority Whip, for sharing their takeaways from the data and a look ahead to the 2021 General Assembly. [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss data and policy solutions from the new 2020 KIDS COUNT County Data Book, including the theme of this year's book -- the impact of the "dual pandemics" of COVID-19 and racial injustice. Panelists included Dr. Henrietta Bada, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Division, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Mike Hammons, Senior Director of Advocacy for Learning Grove; and Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy and [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss Medicaid open enrollment, including what's new for this year, such as the Supporting Kentucky Youth (SKY) program that will provide health services for all kids living in foster care. Panelists include Allison Adams, Vice President for Public Policy at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; Veronica Cecil, Deputy Commissioner at Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services; Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of Kentucky SKY; and Ashley Shoemaker, [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss human trafficking and exploitation, including types of trafficking, prevalence in Kentucky, prevention and intervention strategies, and the impact of COVID-19. Panelists included Marissa Castellanos, Director of the Bakhita Empowerment Initiative at Catholic Charities of Louisville; Rebecca Sim, Director of the Immigration Legal Services at Catholic Charities of Louisville; and Dr. Ginny Sprang, Executive Director of the Center on Trauma and Children at the University of [...]

Amy McGrath, Kentucky candidate for the U.S. Senate, joined child advocates on October 15th to discuss federal issues and solutions focused on kids, families, and strong communities. The forum was hosted by Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children, Council for Agency Executives, Kosair Charities Face It Movement, Kentucky Nonprofit Network, and Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Please note, an invitation has been extended to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to [...]