This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our discussions about priorities for kids and families as Congress debates the next federal COVID-19 relief package, including the U.S. House of Representatives' HEROES Act and the U.S. Senate's HEALS Act. To localize those ongoing federal conversations, we heard from several Kentucky leaders and advocates, including: Lisa Lee, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Medicaid; Mandy Simpson, Director of Public Policy for Metro United Way; [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we share report findings and facilitate conversations on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child welfare system. In the spring, Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with Casey Family Programs, set out to get a better understanding of how the public health crisis was impacting young people who are foster or kinship alumni, biological parents, kinship caregivers, foster parents, and service providers that interact with the [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the challenges facing kids with special needs and their families during COVID-19, including shifting services during quarantine, increased needs within schools, preschools, and the home, and opportunities for budget investments and policy changes. Panelists include Dana Eckert, Case Manager with Seven Counties Services; Dr. Debbie Mays, Education Consultant with the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative; Kristy Stiltner, Mental Health Director with Mountain Comprehensive Care; and Lori [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks was joined by Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture; Leah Feagin, Vice President of the Kentucky School Nutrition Association; and Kate McDonald, KY Kids Eat Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky. They discuss challenges and bright spots in addressing access to nutritional, affordable food across the Commonwealth during the pandemic. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the challenges of parents/caregivers returning to work and how employers and state systems can best support those parents. Panelists included Clanisha Coleman, Shawnee Club Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; Bill Londrigan, President of Kentucky AFL-CIO; and Ashli Watts, President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term [...]