The opioid crisis that has been impacting our nation has hit Kentucky especially hard. What we’ve seen is that it’s not just people struggling with the disease of addiction that are affected, but children are also impacted in a significant way. We have seen it with the spike in children being cared for by relatives and in the overall increase in the number of children in foster care. Kentucky has been taking steps to respond, and [...]
A few weeks ago, we at Kentucky Youth Advocates reached out to advocates like you and asked you to provide input on the greatest challenges facing Kentucky kids today—and the policy changes that our state government could make to address these challenges. Your feedback is invaluable as Blueprint for Kentucky's Children partners continue to develop the 2019 policy agenda. More than 130 advocates filled out the survey, representing counties across the commonwealth and many sectors [...]
In January of this year, Kentucky students, parents, teachers, and school administrators were rocked by the tragedy that happened in Marshall County. Two young lives were cut short when their futures held so much potential. On the heels of that tragedy, the Kentucky legislature created the School Safety Working Group as a process for legislators and state leaders to gather information from experts on school safety and make recommendations for action. Earlier this week, the [...]
Not much beats fresh picked fruit in the summertime. Recently we went to pick blueberries on a nearby farm, and it reminded me of summer days picking strawberries in my grandmother’s garden. The work was hard and the weather hot, but we always knew there would be strawberry pie for supper. We continued that tradition this weekend, making a fresh blueberry pie from the fruit we picked. The final result definitely made the hard work [...]
Contact: Shannon Moody 502-895-8167 *126 smoody@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today offers real hope and real promise to Kentucky’s kids and families with the announcement that Eric Clark has been named DCBS Commissioner. That job demands head and heart, compassion and rigor, a big picture perspective and attention to detail. Eric Clark exemplifies that complex job description. As Commissioner, Eric faces an array of immediate opportunities and obligations. [...]
As a parent, I know that summer is rife with opportunities to fret about my kid’s safety. From the pool to the playground, the backseat to the backyard, I have to watch him like a hawk while teaching him lessons that will help him learn to keep himself safe. Because drowning is deemed the greatest risk of death for children ages one to four years old by The National Safety Council, I am teaching my son [...]
Kentucky ranks 37th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Data Book tells us some good news for Kentucky kids, as most of the data trends in health, economic well-being, education, and family and community show continued progress. But, without an accurate count of all Kentucky kids in 2020, we risk leaving money on the table that could be used [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Improved Child Outcomes and Continued Areas of Need in Kentucky Accurate count in 2020 census critical to sustaining progress Louisville, KY – Kentucky ranks 37th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kentucky’s standing is due in part to progress in family economic well-being, child health coverage, teen births, and parental [...]
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates A Supreme Court ruling and a significant budget commitment from the Governor and General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session gave kinship caregivers across Kentucky unprecedented hope for a better tomorrow as they care for children. And yet, that hope has been displaced by uncertainty and confusion, frustration and a continued lack of sufficient support. Two arenas must be addressed by [...]
This post was originally featured as a Kosair Charities® Face It Movement® to End Child Abuse blog. We are a proud partner in the Face It Movement. With summer in full swing, your children could be spending time with new adults, including babysitters and camp counselors. One way to help keep your kiddos safe this summer is to review important information, such as background checks, when deciding to hire someone to work with your children or to [...]
