This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discussed the behavioral health landscape for Kentucky kids and their families, including new Louisville-based qualitative research about barriers to kids receiving high quality care and potential solutions to those barriers. Thank you to our panelists from across the state who shared more about the effects of the past year and how they have navigated serving kids and their families during a pandemic, including state Senator Max [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss kids and their families who experience–or are at risk of experiencing–homelessness in Kentucky, including solutions to prevent homelessness. Thank you to our panelists, including Adrienne Bush from the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky; George Eklund from the Coalition for the Homeless; and Darryl Young from the Coalition Supporting Young Adults. To take federal action, sign onto the HoUSed campaign to increase housing [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss federal and state solutions to end child poverty with Bruce Lesley from First Focus on Children, including the anti-poverty measures included in the recent federal American Rescue Plan. Read more about cutting child poverty in half at firstfocus.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 [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we recap the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly with state Senator Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington) and Senator Whitney Westerfield (R-Crofton). View the Bill Tracker to see the final status of 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids. Check out our blog for a recap of wins for kids in the 2021 legislative session. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect, including building protective factors and a two-generation approach to mitigate parental trauma. Thank you to our panelists, including Melissa Goins, Director of the Kentucky Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers; Julia Goodman, Family Resource Center Coordinator with Kenton County Schools; Tonya Jernigan, LCSW with the UK Department of Pediatric Forensic Medicine; and, Emily Keely with [...]

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide for Kentucky kids and their families. Thank you to our panelists: Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, Alicia Sells from Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, and Ben Reno-Weber from the Greater Louisville Project. 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 the first half of the Kentucky General Assembly, including updates on the status of bills that are good for kids and families and ways to take action, as well as an update on the state budget priorities and process. Thank you to our partner panelists from Family and Children’s Place, the American Heart Association - Kentucky, the Appalachian Early Childhood Network, the Kentucky Administrative Office [...]

Dr. Terry Brooks was joined by Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman during Children's Advocacy Week for a discussion about her top priorities for kids now and in a post-pandemic Kentucky. Olivia Pierce, Face It Youth Ambassador of Russell County, shares remarks and Nora Priddy shares an opening song. This week, hundreds of youth and advocates from across Kentucky are virtually convening for Children’s Advocacy Week and urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children. Thank you [...]