This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader, NKY Tribune, and Courier Journal. By Terry Brooks “Say what?” Merriam Webster describes this idiom as “a way to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said or at unexpected news.” It is also the most popular response to any question or request directed to my three teenage grandkids. I’m never sure if that teen response is genuine surprise or a very skilled stalling [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the release of the preliminary report on foster children staying in Department for Community Based Services office buildings, State Auditor Allison Ball and the Office of the Ombudsman exemplifies how to be a catalyst for change for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable kids. The report outlines a few important takeaways for us to consider when it [...]
As Kentucky begins its state legislative session, it's important to recognize the significant federal efforts aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across the nation. On January 4, 2025, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R.9076) was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes critical child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act until the end of fiscal year 2029, providing transformative updates to strengthen families and improve child welfare outcomes. [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – The latest national Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows a total of 14,484 child victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the reporting period (FFY 2023). While there has been a 28% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2019 to 2023, Kentucky has nearly double the national rate (7.4 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 14.2 per 1,000 children. Young [...]
The Regional Prevention Collaboratives, one of the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky initiatives, continue to pave the way for proactive, community-driven resources and support for children and families. These collaboratives began during the summer of 2022 with convenings, called Visioning Sessions, where we gathered those living and working in communities to discuss local strengths and gaps, and then brainstormed ideas for community-led efforts that could prevent families from coming to the attention of the child [...]
By: Brandi W., KY SEAT Member Experiencing the holidays without my children is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was Christmas morning, and I had spent the last 16 Christmas mornings with my kids—except for this one. My daughter had been taken out of my custody the October before due to educational neglect. She had not been abused or neglected; she simply did [...]
Just as Santa and his elves have been hard at work this year building toys for children, the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky (TFSCKY) team has been working hard to foster communities where children and families can thrive. TFSCKY is a statewide collaborative of partners who share the common goal of using preventative measures to keep children free of harm by supporting families. To learn more about this initiative, check out the Thriving Families, Safer [...]
Unsafe access to firearms is one of the greatest threats to Kentucky kids’ safety. Injuries from improperly stored firearms are the second leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-17 in Kentucky. Nationwide, the situation is even more grim – injuries from firearms are the leading cause of death for children, surpassing motor vehicle accidents. The Issue at Hand In 2023 alone, firearm violence was responsible for 42 homicides and 31 suicides among [...]
Media Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Louisville, KY – Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners from across the Commonwealth released the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2025 priority agenda. The Blueprint speaks with a common voice to create brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and their families. 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 [...]
Throughout Kentucky, families and communities have felt the impact of the opioid epidemic. For too many families, the impacts have hit very close to home and loved ones have been lost. While we can’t take away those losses that families have experienced, Kentucky has a tremendous opportunity in the wake of the crisis to heal with communities stronger than they were before. Managed by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, the opioid settlement means that [...]
