As the watchdog for Kentucky kids, Kentucky Youth Advocates is monitoring policy developments, collaborating with state and national partners, and communicating with decision-makers to help Kentucky through the COVID-19 crisis. Now, perhaps more than ever, Kentuckians are relying on state and federal leaders to prioritize kids, and organizations that work with families must rely on one another.
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FEATURED NEWS
ADVOCATE VIRTUAL FORUMS
Each week Kentucky Youth Advocates is hosting a forum where organizations, advocates, and decision-makers can hear from another and work together to best support kids and families during this difficult time.
Join Kentucky Youth Advocates on July 15th as we discuss solutions to increase access to nutritional, affordable food in the wake of COVID-19. Panelists include Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture; Leah Feagin, Vice President of the Kentucky School Nutrition Association; and Kate McDonald, KY Kids Eat Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky. RSVP and Submit Questions
Landscape for Policies, Practices, and Systems Changes to Advance Racial Equity | July 8, 2020
A forum discussing the landscape for policies, practices, and systems that will advance racial equity for Kentucky kids and their families. Panelists include Karina Barillas, Executive Director of La Casita Center; Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy & Programming at Louisville Urban League; Keturah Herron, Policy Strategist with ACLU of Kentucky; and Vivian Lasly-Bibbs, Acting Director of CHFS Office of Health Equity.
New KIDS COUNT Data and Disparate Experiences of Youth | July 1, 2020
In this forum we discussed data from the newly released Annie E. Casey Foundation’s national 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book, including data showing disparate outcomes for kids based on race, place, and income. We also heard from Kentucky youth as they give voice to the data and share how they see that data reflected in their own lives and in their community.
A Conversation with DCBS Commissioner Marta Miranda-Straub | June 24, 2020
KYA was joined by the recently appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, Marta Miranda-Straub. DCBS includes a number of human services, such as public benefits, child care, child welfare, and more. They discuss challenges and opportunities and Commissioner Miranda-Straub’s priorities around trauma-informed care and racial justice as she steps into her new role.
The Realities Facing Parents Returning to Work | June 17, 2020
A forum discussing the challenges of parents/caregivers returning to work, including practical concerns and managing stress, and how employers and state systems can best support those parents. Panelists include Clanisha Coleman, Shawnee Club Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; Bill Londrigan, President of Kentucky AFL-CIO; and Ashli Watts, President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The Future of K-12 Education Amidst COVID-19 | June 10, 2020
A forum with the Kentucky Board of Education, in which we discussed the future of K-12 education amidst COVID-19. Panelists include Chair of the Kentucky Board of Education, Dr. Lu Young, and board member Patrice McCrary.
Reopening Child Care | June 03, 2020
A forum about reopening child care across Kentucky, including the anticipated impact on child care providers, families, and businesses. Featuring Dr. Sarah Vanover, Director of the Kentucky Division of Child Care; Travis Burton with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; June Widman, Executive Director at Eastern KY Child Care Coalition; and Jennifer Washburn, Executive Director at iKids Childhood Enrichment Center.
Reality & Future of K-12 Education | May 27, 2020
A forum discussing the future of K-12 education amidst COVID-19. Featuring Penny Christian, President of the 16th District PTA; Dr. Elizabeth Dinkins, Dean of Bellarmine University School of Education; Brent McKim, President of Jefferson County Teachers Association; and Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, CEO of Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative.
The Future of Education and Workforce with Lieutenant Governor Coleman | May 20, 2020
A forum with Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Jacqueline Coleman, as we discuss the future of education and workforce–and more.
Families, Children & Young Adults in Foster Care | May 13, 2020
This forum addressed the impact of COVID-19 on foster families, children and young adults in foster care, and the organizations that serve them. Panelists include: Grace Akers, CEO of St. Joe’s Children’s Home; Dr. Austin Griffiths, Assistant Professor of Social Work at WKU and Director, Center for Child Welfare Education and Research; Tia Humphrey, UL student and member of Voices of the Commonwealth; and Dale Suttles, President of Sunrise Children’s Services.
Child Welfare Workforce | May 06, 2020
This forum discussed the child welfare workforce in the wake of COVID-19 and the resulting effects on kids and families. Panelists included Kentucky Department for Community Based Services Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Caywood; Dr. Jay Miller, Dean of the UK College of Social Work; and Brenda Rosen, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers-Kentucky Chapter.
Looking Back at the 2020 KY General Assembly & Looking Ahead to 2021 | April 29, 2020
Health Care, Access, and Equity | April 22, 2020
Prioritizing Kids and Families in Upcoming Federal Stimulus Bills | April 15, 2020
Partners and staff from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office discussed prioritizing kids and families in upcoming COVID-19 federal legislation.
Federal Supports for Families | April 08, 2020
This forum discussed the federal supports recently passed by Congress and how those will impact the lives of Kentucky families and the businesses that serve them. Featuring Deb Stein, Network Director of Partnership for America’s Children.
COVID-19 Sector Impact | March 25, 2020
A forum about the impact of COVID-19 on sectors serving kids and families, including remarks from Acting Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Eric Friedlander.
ADVOCATE VIRTUAL FORUMS
Each week Kentucky Youth Advocates is hosting a forum where organizations, advocates, and decision-makers can hear from another and work together to best support kids and families during this difficult time.
Join Kentucky Youth Advocates on July 15th as we discuss solutions to increase access to nutritional, affordable food in the wake of COVID-19. Panelists include Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture; Leah Feagin, Vice President of the Kentucky School Nutrition Association; and Kate McDonald, KY Kids Eat Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky. RSVP and Submit Questions
Landscape for Policies, Practices, and Systems Changes to Advance Racial Equity | July 8, 2020
A forum discussing the landscape for policies, practices, and systems that will advance racial equity for Kentucky kids and their families. Panelists include Karina Barillas, Executive Director of La Casita Center; Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy & Programming at Louisville Urban League; Keturah Herron, Policy Strategist with ACLU of Kentucky; and Vivian Lasly-Bibbs, Acting Director of CHFS Office of Health Equity.
New KIDS COUNT Data and Disparate Experiences of Youth | July 1, 2020
In this forum we discussed data from the newly released Annie E. Casey Foundation’s national 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book, including data showing disparate outcomes for kids based on race, place, and income. We also heard from Kentucky youth as they give voice to the data and share how they see that data reflected in their own lives and in their community.
A Conversation with DCBS Commissioner Marta Miranda-Straub | June 24, 2020
KYA was joined by the recently appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, Marta Miranda-Straub. DCBS includes a number of human services, such as public benefits, child care, child welfare, and more. They discuss challenges and opportunities and Commissioner Miranda-Straub’s priorities around trauma-informed care and racial justice as she steps into her new role.
The Realities Facing Parents Returning to Work | June 17, 2020
A forum discussing the challenges of parents/caregivers returning to work, including practical concerns and managing stress, and how employers and state systems can best support those parents. Panelists include Clanisha Coleman, Shawnee Club Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; Bill Londrigan, President of Kentucky AFL-CIO; and Ashli Watts, President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The Future of K-12 Education Amidst COVID-19 | June 10, 2020
A forum with the Kentucky Board of Education, in which we discussed the future of K-12 education amidst COVID-19. Panelists include Chair of the Kentucky Board of Education, Dr. Lu Young, and board member Patrice McCrary.
Reopening Child Care | June 03, 2020
A forum about reopening child care across Kentucky, including the anticipated impact on child care providers, families, and businesses. Featuring Dr. Sarah Vanover, Director of the Kentucky Division of Child Care; Travis Burton with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; June Widman, Executive Director at Eastern KY Child Care Coalition; and Jennifer Washburn, Executive Director at iKids Childhood Enrichment Center.
Reality & Future of K-12 Education | May 27, 2020
A forum discussing the future of K-12 education amidst COVID-19. Featuring Penny Christian, President of the 16th District PTA; Dr. Elizabeth Dinkins, Dean of Bellarmine University School of Education; Brent McKim, President of Jefferson County Teachers Association; and Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, CEO of Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative.
The Future of Education and Workforce with Lieutenant Governor Coleman | May 20, 2020
A forum with Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Jacqueline Coleman, as we discuss the future of education and workforce–and more.
Families, Children & Young Adults in Foster Care | May 13, 2020
This forum addressed the impact of COVID-19 on foster families, children and young adults in foster care, and the organizations that serve them. Panelists include: Grace Akers, CEO of St. Joe’s Children’s Home; Dr. Austin Griffiths, Assistant Professor of Social Work at WKU and Director, Center for Child Welfare Education and Research; Tia Humphrey, UL student and member of Voices of the Commonwealth; and Dale Suttles, President of Sunrise Children’s Services.
Child Welfare Workforce | May 06, 2020
This forum discussed the child welfare workforce in the wake of COVID-19 and the resulting effects on kids and families. Panelists included Kentucky Department for Community Based Services Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Caywood; Dr. Jay Miller, Dean of the UK College of Social Work; and Brenda Rosen, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers-Kentucky Chapter.
Looking Back at the 2020 KY General Assembly & Looking Ahead to 2021 | April 29, 2020
Health Care, Access, and Equity | April 22, 2020
Prioritizing Kids and Families in Upcoming Federal Stimulus Bills | April 15, 2020
Partners and staff from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office discussed prioritizing kids and families in upcoming COVID-19 federal legislation.
Federal Supports for Families | April 8, 2020
This forum discussed the federal supports recently passed by Congress and how those will impact the lives of Kentucky families and the businesses that serve them. Featuring Deb Stein, Network Director of Partnership for America’s Children.
COVID-19 Sector Impact | March 25, 2020
A forum about the impact of COVID-19 on sectors serving kids and families, including remarks from Acting Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Eric Friedlander.