New Report: Analysis of Kentucky’s Residential Foster Care
New Report: Analysis of Kentucky’s Residential Foster Care Featuring Interviews of Youth with Lived Experience and Recommendations LOUISVILLE, KY – Residential and institutional facilities are meant for youth experiencing crises, yet these settings are often over-utilized due to lack of family-based foster care rather than a clinical need for the placement. The Residential Foster Care Analysis Report, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, examines issues often seen in residential and institutional placements and offers recommendations to improve the outcomes of the youth in foster care. “As someone who aged out of the foster care system, I know how important [...]
2022 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at Data Trends and Kentucky Kids’ Ideas for a Brighter Future in the Commonwealth
2022 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at Data Trends and Kentucky Kids’ Ideas for a Brighter Future in the Commonwealth Featuring the latest county-level data for key measures of child well-being Louisville, KY – For optimal well-being, children need thriving communities that support strong families, good health, protection from harm, economic security, and a high-quality education. The 2022 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book features the latest data on 16 measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the Commonwealth have improved, worsened, or stayed the same over a five-year period. While the COVID-19 pandemic [...]
New Report: Community and Jail Practices to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 X122 New Report: Community and Jail Practices to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents Recommendations and Bright Spots for Kentucky LOUISVILLE, KY – Parental incarceration is often referred to as a ‘shared sentence’ because of the impact it has on the community, caregivers, and most importantly, the children. Kentucky currently has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. A new report, Community and Jail Practices Supporting Children with Incarcerated Parents: The Kentucky Landscape, released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation, assesses jail practices and policies regarding [...]
Kentucky Ranks 37th in Child Well-Being with Too Many Children Suffering from Mental Health Pandemic
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 X122 Kentucky Ranks 37th in Child Well-Being with Too Many Children Suffering from Mental Health Pandemic Latest data show 16% of Kentucky kids face anxiety or depression, as effects of the coronavirus crisis linger, Annie E. Casey Foundation finds LOUISVILLE— The latest available data show that as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting Kentucky and the rest of the nation, the Commonwealth was showing progress in some areas of child well-being as well as ongoing challenges, according to the 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. While the 50-state [...]
Statement on Increased Access to Child Care Assistance for Kentucky Families
Contact: Kelsey Dimar kdimar@kyyouth.org 502-693-5005 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates Louisville, KY – It may not be Derby Day, but the Commonwealth scored a trifecta win today! Kids, families, and our economy – at both local and state levels – won! That big win is a result of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ announcement that families that earn up to 85% of State Median Income ($5,504 for a family of four) are now eligible to receive assistance paying for child care. Access to high-quality child care helps children develop the range of skills that will allow them to [...]
Celebrating the Ceremonial Signing of New Legislation to Address Child Abuse in Kentucky
For immediate release: June 8, 2022 Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Celebrating the Ceremonial Signing of New Legislation to Address Child Abuse in Kentucky Governor Beshear and State Lawmakers Join Kentucky Youth Advocates and Kosair Charities Face It Movement Partners for Ceremonial Signing of SB 8 and HB 263 LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners in the Kosair Charities Face It Movement joined Governor Andy Beshear and state leaders for the ceremonial bill signings of Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 263. Both newly enacted laws will improve efforts across the child welfare continuum – from child maltreatment [...]
New Resource for Supporting Children Who Have a Parent Incarcerated
For immediate release: May 19, 2022 Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org New Resource for Supporting Children Who Have a Parent Incarcerated Guide offers tips, resources, and conversation starters for parents, caregivers, and community members Louisville, KY — Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation released a new guide that offers tips, resources, and conversation starters for parents, caregivers, and caring community members to consider for supporting children who have a parent incarcerated. Through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, the Guide for Supporting Children Who Have a Parent Incarcerated was created with firsthand experience of children and families in [...]
OP-ED: Lots of Questions for the 2022 KY General Assembly
This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on April 21, 2022. By Dr. Terry Brooks In a press conference before the historic launch of Apollo 11 to the moon, Neil Armstrong was asked about the answers he hoped to discover with his moonwalk. He responded by asserting that he will likely have more questions to ask than answers. That is how I feel as we leave the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly – I have a whole bunch of questions to ask! As an example, Republican lawmakers have historically championed local control. I now wonder, is that still their governing North Star or is [...]
Statement on Final Passage of HB 174 by the General Assembly
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners in the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children are celebrating today as House Bill 174 received its final passage as part of Senate Bill 178, a favorable bill sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, and now heads to the Governor for signature. Parents’ health and access to health insurance coverage, especially for mothers, affects the health and well-being of their children. Despite the increased risk of postpartum death and illness, up to half of women do not receive routine care [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 83 by the Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Financial independence can mean the difference between a parent having to remain in an abusive relationship and leaving for their children’s and their own safety. Thankfully, with today’s passage of House Bill 83 by the Kentucky House via consent orders, the Commonwealth is one step closer to removing barriers to permanently leaving an abusive relationship. HB 83, sponsored by Representatives Nima Kulkarni and Samara Heavrin, will ensure survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or stalking are eligible to receive unemployment benefits if [...]