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Actions to Mitigate Food Insecurity in the United States

By Nikky Patel, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates In the past year, many Americans have experienced a lack of access to healthy food and, although food insecurity is not a new issue, we have vividly felt its effect throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the federal government and Congressional leaders have been responsive to this issue and continue to apply lessons learned throughout the pandemic to take action that will address hunger and food insecurity in [...]

By |2021-06-16T13:00:43-04:00June 16th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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Statement on JCBE School Suspension Decision

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – The decision by the Jefferson County Board of Education to “suspend suspensions” for our youngest children is far more than a simple change in disciplinary procedures. Instead, it is an affirmation of Superintendent Pollio’s persistent efforts to create a student-centric school system. This change in disciplinary processes will create a ripple effect with an impact than cannot be [...]

By |2021-05-25T20:49:11-04:00May 25th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids in Louisville

In partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, Kentucky Youth Advocates hosted a virtual behavioral health summit on May 11th. The Closing the Gaps in Behavioral Health Care for Kids summit brought together over one hundred youth, parents, and professionals from various sectors including educators, mental health professionals, legislators, juvenile justice system staff, child advocates, child welfare system representatives, Kentucky’s philanthropic community, and more. The event featured a data presentation on the recent research conducted by KYA and supplemental data from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) providing context to [...]

By |2021-05-18T16:24:54-04:00May 18th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Update on FDA Menthol Ban and Impact for Youth

The recent announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the process of banning all menthol flavoring in cigarettes and cigars is a huge step in reducing youth and young adult tobacco addiction, addressing health equity, and improving health outcomes. This announcement ensures that the FDA’s next steps will be establishing rules and an opportunity for public comment on the ban of menthol flavoring in cigarettes and all flavoring in cigars within the [...]

By |2021-05-06T23:23:32-04:00May 6th, 2021|Blog, Health, Race Equity|
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Where is “Neglect” in Child Abuse Prevention Month?

This op-ed was originally post by the Herald Leader on April 23, 2021. A version of this op-ed was also posted by the Courier Journal on April 22, 2021.  By Terry Brooks Each April, state and local leaders proclaim Child Abuse Prevention Month and community partners encourage the public to understand that everyone has a role in recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse in the commonwealth. That kind of focus on abuse is an ethical [...]

By |2021-04-23T14:52:10-04:00April 23rd, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|
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Thank You: Wins for Kids in the 2021 General Assembly

The final gavel sounded on the 2021 General Assembly this week! This year, the Governor and the Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a continuation budget, addressing the systemic injustices that impact our children and families of color, advancing policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and other policy priorities that would be good for the communities they represent and the Commonwealth. If we take a second to reflect, that’s a heavy lift in a [...]

By |2021-04-15T16:57:00-04:00March 31st, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Statement on Final Budget Passage by the Kentucky General Assembly

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – From the start, the 2021 state budget process was filled with perplexing complexities. One, because the Governor and Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a continuation budget due to timing constraints brought on by the pandemic during the 2020 legislative session. Two, leaders were faced with tough decisions as Kentucky embraces the ongoing ripple effects of [...]

By |2021-03-31T15:07:13-04:00March 31st, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid, News Room, Race Equity|
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Assessment of the Louisville Youth Behavioral Health Landscape and Recommendations

Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, conducted a community assessment to better understand the behavioral health landscape for adolescents in Louisville. The assessment included ten focus groups and an online survey during the Fall of 2020 with behavioral health providers, pediatricians, educators, residential treatment staff, juvenile justice staff, community support organizations, case managers, parents, and youth.   Respondents pointed to cultural barriers as one of the most significant obstacles for [...]

By |2021-05-18T16:10:47-04:00March 30th, 2021|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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Study Reveals Gaps in Behavioral Health Services for Louisville’s Vulnerable Youth

Study Reveals Gaps in Behavioral Health Services for Louisville’s Vulnerable Youth Kentucky Youth Advocates and Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Lead Collaborative Effort to Identify Solutions and Address Barriers   CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, conducted 10 virtual focus groups and disseminated an online survey to learn more about behavioral health supports and services available to youth in Louisville, along with [...]

By |2021-03-30T11:56:04-04:00March 30th, 2021|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity|
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Statement on the Governor Signing Senate Bill 84 Into Law

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – With passage of Senate Bill 133 of 2018, the Kentucky General Assembly became the first state in the country to pass the “Dignity Bill,” a piece of legislation specifically tailored toward improving conditions for women who are incarcerated. This year, the legislature re-emphasized their commitment to the issue by unanimously supporting passage of Senate Bill 84, known as the “Dignity Bill 2.0,” sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. And [...]

By |2021-03-23T15:00:13-04:00March 23rd, 2021|Justice, News Room, Race Equity|
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