By Norma Hatfield, kinship caregiver and president of the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky As a grandmother who has navigated the child welfare system while caring for two of my grandchildren, I found that I was desperate for information; especially at the beginning when you get the kids. Oftentimes, the kids come with what they are wearing at the moment and you have nothing else. You are starting all over. Even more so, I [...]
*Updated March 13, 2024 What does Bloom Kentucky and a toolbox have in common? Both share a fundamental purpose of empowerment and repair, providing essential tools and strategies to build resilience and mend the fabric of affected lives and communities. Here at Bloom Kentucky, we want to equip you and your community with the tools to leverage the historic opioid settlement funds for impact. On Wednesday, March 6th, Bloom Kentucky hosted a webinar with [...]
By Leah Wade, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol is when people across the Commonwealth come together to lift up a united voice for Kentucky’s children. A highlight of the day always includes the presence of youth-serving organizations and school groups. This year, nearly 300 youth took the time to speak on behalf of themselves and their peers. Kentucky Youth Advocates wanted to briefly highlight how groups had an [...]
By Bailey Brewer, Intern with Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentucky’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel released their 2023 Annual Report, which consists of a comprehensive review of every child death and near death within the state fiscal year 2022 referred to the panel by the Department for Community Based Services and Department for Public Health. This panel is required by state law to meet throughout the year to review each child’s case and [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – In today’s bold move by Senator Danny Carroll, he is guaranteeing a quality future for kids, meeting the core needs of working families, and lifting local economies by bolstering Kentucky’s workforce. The Horizons Act puts into motion the state budget investments and policy changes necessary to stabilize Kentucky’s struggling child care sector and ensure parents can go [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – There’s no doubt that Kentucky’s kinship and fictive caregivers are the often-unsung heroes for thousands of kids across the Commonwealth – stepping up in a moment’s notice to provide a safe space for their young loved ones to grow and heal. While Kentucky provides financial assistance to relative or fictive kin caregivers who choose to become certified [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On the heels of the release of the annual national Child Maltreatment report, we are celebrating as the Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously supports passage of House Bill 275 to promote child abuse prevention efforts within schools. Keeping kids safe is an adult responsibility – and that especially includes the caring adults in our school buildings. Students [...]
Two weeks ago, Frankfort became a buzzing hub of youthful energy and advocacy as over thirty dynamic young individuals from every corner of the Commonwealth convened for Kentucky Youth Advocates' annual youth retreat. This gathering, held on the eve of Children’s Advocacy Day, was not just any retreat – it was a vibrant confluence of minds eager to shape the future. Groups including KYA’s Health Youth Ambassadors, REFORM Louisville, True Up, and YouthBuild Louisville [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky now ranks 14th in the nation in child victims of maltreatment according to the latest Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While there has been a 48% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2018 to 2022, Kentucky is around 60% higher than the national rate (7.7 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 12.3 per 1,000 children. [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Prioritizing kinship families is prioritizing some of our most vulnerable Kentucky kids. When a child is removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, being placed with a relative or close friend helps reduce trauma and maintain connections to culture, traditions, and siblings. Today, the Senate Families and Children Committee prioritized kinship families with passage of [...]
