There’s a piece of me that continues to be jealous of my teenagers’ summer break. We have embarked upon our third week of summer, and the idealistic images I had of what their summers days would include while I’m at work have already dissipated. My rough survey of a few teens in my children’s “circle” led me to these top three “activities” on their daily to-do list: They want to sleep – a LOT. Apparently [...]
For many children, the end of the school year is eagerly anticipated and a time of celebration. Parents, students, and teachers look forward to several weeks of unstructured time, vacations, and relaxation. However, for almost 30,000 of Kentucky’s schoolchildren who are experiencing homelessness, summer break means increased stress. These children lose a large sense of stability, routine, socialization with peers, and regular meals they gain through school attendance. The causes of homelessness are complex; for [...]
Though National Foster Care Month has ended, it is important to remember that we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care beyond the month of May. Children and youth in the foster care system often face challenges emotionally, socially, physically, and educationally. It is important that we hear from those most impacted by foster care -- the youth. Read the reflections of one youth in foster care below. Abby's* resiliency and hope shines through her [...]
Governor Matt Bevin, Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Commissioner Adria Johnson of the Department of Community Based Services announced a new program that will serve as a pipeline for success for over 100 youth aging out of the foster care system. Fostering Success will include a ten-week workforce training and mentoring program with the goal of linking youth ages 18 to 23 to additional employment opportunities as [...]
May is National Foster Care month and with that comes the consideration of youth aging out of the foster care system. Too many youth in Kentucky, over 500 a year, age out of the foster care system without stable ties to a caring adult. For youth aging out of the foster care system, there are resources available to provide continued care and stability. Before turning 19, teens in the foster care system may make the [...]
May is National Foster Care Month, but it's only fitting to recognize the grandparents and other relatives who are raising children in Kentucky. Kinship care is often a safe alternative to foster care for children who cannot remain safely with their parents, as research shows that they are better off with family. We also know that kinship care poses lots of financial, emotional, and legal challenges for caregivers. All children deserve a safe and nurturing place [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W42iiCcFbxE I JUST LOVE THAT VIDEO. It is usually among those selected when pundits choose the “greatest sports quotes of all time.” And, of course, Herm Edwards – a coach with a losing record – is now one of the experts on ESPN. I believe – at my core – that we “play to win the game FOR KIDS.” Nice tries. Pyrrhic victories. Rationalizations at failure. Those phrases leave me cold. It does kids [...]
In celebration of May as National Foster Care Month, one Kentuckian shares her journey as a foster parent. My name is Karra, and I have been married to my amazing husband for 24 ½ years. We have a son and a daughter. We currently have a foster son (but we really do not like to refer to him as our foster son, we prefer to just introduce him as our son). For many years we talked [...]
Child abuse and neglect prevention is a topic highlighted in April, but one that must be carried into every month. Long lasting prevention can only happen when several factors come into play, including changing behaviors within the home and community—on the ground—as well as creating commonsense policies that ensure children are protected and families are supported—on a systems level. We know that child abuse prevention starts at home and in our local communities. We can [...]
Ashley* shares her story as part of the release of a new KIDS COUNT® policy report, A Shared Sentence: The Devastating Toll of Parental Incarceration on Kids, Families and Communities. She is one of 135,000 Kentucky children who has had a parent incarcerated, according to data collected in 2011/2012. By Ashley When I was 12, I discovered that my mom was addicted to drugs. It was hard for us from then on. As her drug addiction worsened, my [...]
