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KYGA24: A Look at Implications for Juvenile Justice

We’ve all heard different things about juvenile crime: that it’s on the rise (at best) or completely out of control (at worst), that teens today are more inherently prone to violence than any other generation in memory, or that the legal system is failing to hold them accountable. Combine that with around-the-clock accessibility to some of the worst images, videos, and headlines of violent incidents and it can be challenging for any of us to [...]

By |2024-05-23T12:36:40-04:00May 23rd, 2024|Blog, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Step with Us Through the Kentucky Child and Family Wellbeing System Website Launch!

Historically, decisions about programs, policies, and services have been made without the input of those proximate to the issues or receiving end.  Today, we know better. And we're doing better.  Through an effort to build the voices of those with child welfare lived experience – to hear and learn from those who have been there – Kentucky Youth Advocates, with the support of Casey Family Programs, partnered with formerly systems-involved individuals to conduct focus groups [...]

By |2024-05-22T11:11:40-04:00May 22nd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Race Equity|
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Statement on the Justice Department’s Investigation into Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Call it a system failure. Call it a crisis. Call it a hot mess. Call it what you want but Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is failing kids and community safety every day. Kentucky’s leaders have abrogated their leadership responsibilities in this crucial arena so today’s announcement that the Justice Department is opening a statewide investigation into Kentucky’s [...]

By |2024-05-15T17:40:31-04:00May 15th, 2024|News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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A Fresh Update to the WIC Program: Nurturing the Next Generation

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps women, infants, and children get a strong start in life. This program is a lifeline for over 115,000 Kentucky parents, caregivers, and kids, providing them with food benefits through an EBT card, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more. One of WIC’s primary goals is to ensure that moms and kids get the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive. To [...]

By |2024-05-15T16:02:12-04:00May 15th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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KYGA24: Prioritizing Maternal Health

Among the topics that were a focus area for legislators in 2024 is maternal health – both the troubling outcomes for mothers across the Commonwealth and tangible steps we can take to address these issues. Following SB 135 of 2023 which targeted maternal depression, and an administrative change that ensures mothers on Medicaid are covered for 12 months postpartum, the 2024 General Assembly focused on additional ways to keep moms and babies healthy. HB 10, [...]

By |2024-05-08T08:43:20-04:00May 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the [...]

By |2024-04-30T11:47:02-04:00April 30th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Deep Dive into the 2024 State Budget & the Impact on Kentucky Kids

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY.  Facing a budget session, the 2024 General Assembly was [...]

By |2024-04-18T16:50:37-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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Recapping the 2024 Legislative Session & the Impact on Kentucky Kids

The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. Learn more about the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. As we recover from eclipse mania in [...]

By |2024-04-18T17:23:37-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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How Community Members Can Step up for Children Experiencing a “Shared Sentence”

When a parent is incarcerated, children often feel the impact on their lives in many ways. Families might lose income and have a harder time making ends meet. Children will not see their parent as often, or be able to connect with them in the same ways.   On a recent webinar, “Community Strategies to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents,” participants heard from a panel of people who personally experienced the separation caused by incarceration, [...]

By |2024-04-11T15:50:09-04:00April 11th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Justice, Race Equity|
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Celebrating and Empowering Social Workers

By Leah Wade, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates  March is National Social Work Month, and this year the theme is Empowering Social Workers. The theme of this month highlights the need for higher compensation and support for the high-demand roles that social workers engage in. This month is used as a way to celebrate the contributions that social workers are making to individuals, families, and communities. It is a time to support the ongoing work [...]

By |2024-03-28T14:16:04-04:00March 28th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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