This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the challenges, opportunities, and future of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services workforce with Commissioner Marta Miranda-Straub. We also heard remarks from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander and DCBS Deputy Commissioner Lesa Dennis. This is part one of a two-part series with DCBS. Tune in for part two on Wednesday, September 22 at 10:00 AM ET. View the slideshow presentation from DCBS. [...]

Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, shares a call-to-action on priorities for kids during the 2021 special session. Look up your state Senator and Representative contact information and read our full statement about the special session at kyyouth.org. 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 with your family’s wellbeing in mind. [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss routine immunizations and the COVID-19 vaccination for Kentucky kids. Thank you to our panelists: Allison Adams, Vice President for Policy at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; Dr. Michael Kuduk, Vice President of the Kentucky Medical Association and pediatrician with UK Healthcare; and Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health of Kentucky Supporting Kentucky Youth (SKY) Program. August is National Immunization Awareness Month [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the upcoming school year as our commonwealth continues to navigate a pandemic, socioemotional needs, and different learning needs with education leaders from across the state. Thank you to our panelists: Penny Christian, immediate Past President of the 16th District PTA and Vice President of Leadership Outreach for the Kentucky PTA; Dr. Jim Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents; and Brent McKim, [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the future of public education and workforce in Kentucky with Jacqueline Coleman, Lt. Governor and secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, and Dr. Jason Glass, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education. 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 with [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss how we can best support youth who are LGBTQ+, especially as many of them are at risk of facing certain challenges, including homelessness, trafficking, mental health needs, and more. Thank you to our panelists: Rick Wurth, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, and Eltuan Dawson, youth advocate and board member of Sweet Evening Breeze. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss opportunity youth--young people ages 16 to 24 who are neither employed nor in school--including new research, policy recommendations, and program developments across the state. Thank you to our panelists: Kate Arthur, Community and Youth Services Director at Brighton Center; Dawn Carson, Street Outreach Supervisor at the Brighton Center; Roan Head, youth leader; and Darryl Young, Executive Director of the Coalition Supporting Young Adults. [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss updates relating to child nutrition and access to food, including summer EBT, federal investments, and more. Thank you to our panelists: Karena Cash, Advocacy Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky; Leigh Dixon, Community Support Advisor Kentucky Department for Community-Based Services; and Michael Halligan, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank and Chair of Feeding America’s Federal Policy Advisory Board.Families can text "food" to 877-877 to identify summer meals in [...]