Kentucky Students Say Pandemic Led to Increased Vaping and Other Tobacco Use Among Peers
CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Bonnie J. Hackbarth bhackbarth@healthy-ky.org Kentucky Students Say Pandemic Led to Increased Vaping and Other Tobacco Use Among Peers LOUISVILLE, KY – More than a third of Kentucky middle and high schoolers responding to a recent survey say the pandemic has increased students using e-cigarettes, or "vapes," and other tobacco products. And more than 14 percent said they believe e-cigarettes are safer for them to smoke than traditional cigarettes, according to the survey, which was announced today by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Kentucky Youth Advocates. The youth also overwhelmingly support giving local cities and counties the [...]
Statement on Kentucky Senate Passage of State Budget Proposal
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As the Kentucky General Assembly concludes part one of this short legislative session, the Senate has passed the continuation budget proposal. While the process is advancing swiftly, we are encouraged that this action means leaders in the House and Senate and the Governor can begin negotiations that will ultimately lead to that priority and value proposal that supports Kentucky’s kids in the immediate and sets up our commonwealth’s pandemic recovery efforts in the future. We’ve continued to attest that Kentucky kids are counting [...]
Statement on Kentucky House State Budget Proposal
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Today’s passage of the state budget proposed by the Kentucky House signals the fast-track nature of the 2021 budget process. As it unfolds, we are encouraged to see a clear focus on Kentucky’s kids and families in the immediate and as our commonwealth addresses the deep impacts of the pandemic. As the state budget discussions continue, Kentucky kids are counting on state leaders to prioritize investments that create a brighter future where all children can thrive, such as: Sustaining funding for the Medicaid [...]
Statement on Governor Beshear’s 2021 State of the Commonwealth and Budget Address
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As Governor Andy Beshear shared during tonight’s State of the Commonwealth address, this state budget proposal gives Kentucky families a life preserver in the immediate and is a catalyst to creating a post-pandemic commonwealth where all kids can thrive. We are pleased to see that this budget embraces commitments that our legislative leaders and Governor share when it comes to creating brighter futures for children. The budget addresses key issues such as protecting kids from abuse, providing mental services in schools, and [...]
Statement on Latest Federal COVID-19 Relief Package
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On the heels of the good news about promising COVID-19 vaccines, kids and families across the commonwealth and the nation received more good news – final passage of another much needed federal relief package. With leadership in Congress from Senate Majority Leader McConnell and House Budget Committee Chairman Yarmuth, families will see an investment in the critical child care sector, student learning, rent and food assistance, supports for youth aging out of foster care, broadband internet access, and limited income support, as [...]
Addressing the Impact of Maternal Incarceration on Kentucky Children
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Addressing the Impact of Maternal Incarceration on Kentucky Children New Issue Brief Features Data Trends and Policy Recommendations LOUISVILLE, KY – A new Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children issue brief released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates, Data Trends and Policy Recommendations to Address the Impact of Maternal Incarceration on Kentucky’s Children, shows that the number of women incarcerated has grown at an alarming pace in Kentucky in recent decades and that women incarcerated are more likely to be a parent. The brief highlights the prevalence of parental incarceration in Kentucky, the impact maternal incarceration has on children, [...]
Kentucky Families with Children Continue to Struggle During the Pandemic: New Data Show Challenges with Hunger, Housing, Health Insurance, and Mental Health
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Kentucky Families with Children Continue to Struggle During the Pandemic New Data Show Challenges with Hunger, Housing, Health Insurance, and Mental Health LOUISVILLE, KY — Too many Kentucky families continue to struggle with food security, ability to pay next month’s rent or mortgage, and mental health, according to Kids, Families and COVID-19: Pandemic Pain Points and the Urgent Need to Respond, a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how families are faring during the COVID-19 crisis. This KIDS COUNT report examines data from weekly surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that demonstrate [...]
Announcing the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2021 Policy Priorities
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Announcing the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2021 Policy Priorities Louisville, KY – Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners from across the commonwealth are launching the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children’s 2021 policy and budget priorities. The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children is a coalition of non-profit, public, and private organizations that stands on three pillars: thriving communities launch strong families, strong families launch successful kids, and successful kids launch a prosperous future for Kentucky. As the commonwealth works to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address systemic racism, the Blueprint speaks with a common voice to [...]
2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at the Impacts of the “Dual Pandemics” on Kentucky Children and Families
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at the Impacts of the “Dual Pandemics” on Kentucky Children and Families Featuring the latest county-level data for key measure of child well-being Louisville, KY – The 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book examines the impacts of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice on children and families with data disaggregated by race/ethnicity. The 30th edition of this publication also features the latest data on 17 measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the commonwealth have improved, worsened, or stayed [...]
Kentucky Youth Advocates Collaborates with Aetna Better Health of Kentucky to Reinvent Serving Youth in Kentucky’s Child Welfare System
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Louisville, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) today announced a collaboration with Aetna Better Health of Kentucky (Aetna), a CVS Health company, to reinvent care for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children and youth. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services selected Aetna to serve as the single statewide Managed Care Organization (MCO) to oversee and coordinate services for the new Supporting Kentucky Youth program, also known as SKY. As the only MCO selected to manage the new SKY program, Aetna will serve as the sole statewide coordinator of physical and behavioral health, dental [...]