Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on the Justice Cabinet’s Announcement on the Future of Youth Justice in Louisville
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Louisville, KY – The axiom that “necessity is the mother of invention” rings true in the case of youth detention in Louisville. Given the Mayor and Metro Council’s decision to close the locally operated detention center, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet working with local nonprofit leaders is moving ahead on what is an imaginative and kid-centric approach to youth justice. Along with ensuring that Louisville youth now begin to receive the same due process protocols immediately after interaction with law enforcement as young [...]
The Kia Store Local Spotlight: Kentucky Youth Advocates
This article was originally posted by the Kia Store on August 27, 2019. By Brad Paschal Each one of us has fond memories of the place we grew up. That setting even has its own name that brings a wave of nostalgia and smiles to our faces when we hear the word “hometown.” What the Kentucky Youth Advocates continue to work hard at doing is giving kids in the state the opportunity to build those same positive memories and life tools as they grow up. For decades, Kentucky Youth Advocates have been a caring voice for children across the state [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Filing of E-cigarette Tax Bill
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Louisville, KY – Kentucky’s kids scored a win today! And elected leaders in Frankfort reminded us that they can make a real difference on behalf of young people. At a Coalition for Smoke-Free Tomorrow press conference, Representatives Jerry Miller and Kim Moser demonstrated state leaders’ continued commitment to ending the epidemic of e-cigarette use among Kentucky teens with the filing of a bill to tax the nicotine-packed products. Currently, e-cigarettes are the only tobacco product not subject to a state excise tax, and this legislation [...]
Kentucky Ranks 34th Overall in Child Outcomes Highlighting Continued Areas of Need
Kentucky Ranks 34th Overall in Child Outcomes Highlighting Continued Areas of Need KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides comprehensive annual report on child well-being in the U.S. LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Kentucky ranks 34th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 30th edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kentucky’s measurable but still inadequate improvements are due in part to progress across several areas of economic well-being, child health coverage, teen births and parental employment. Nevertheless, 22 percent of Kentucky children live in poverty and 10 percent of children live in [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on CHFS Announcement on Expansion of School-Based Health Services
Contact: Kelsey Dimar 502-895-8167 *110 kdimar@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services announced its amendment to the state’s Medicaid plan to allow districts to utilize federal Medicaid funding to expand school-based health services and connect more Kentucky students with the preventive health and behavioral health services they need. That is no mere regulatory revision; it is a game changer for kids and the role that schools play in their lives. The importance of preventive health and behavioral health services is undeniable as is the wisdom of placing [...]
Increased Federal Child Care Funds Provide Needed Boost
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Increased Federal Child Care Funds Provide Needed Boost Continued investments will support young children, working families, and the state economy LOUISVILLE, KY – A new infographic from Kentucky Youth Advocates and several key Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners highlights how the recent federal investment in child care is fueling local economies and offering opportunities to working families. Last Spring, Congress increased funding for child care assistance through the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). The Bevin Administration utilized the additional $42 million to raise child care provider payment rates, ease how [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Majority Leader McConnell’s Tobacco-Free Youth Act
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Child welfare and juvenile justice have animated Leader McConnell’s commitment to kids. With his sponsorship of the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, you can add health to his legacy as a champion for children. Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Tim Kaine filed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products nationwide from age 18 to 21. This bipartisan bill is a hedge of protection around the young people of the Commonwealth, and the nation more broadly, as [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Senator McConnell Federal Tobacco-21 Legislation Announcement
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced plans to introduce a “tobacco 21” bill in the U.S. Senate to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products nationwide from age 18 to 21. This proposal could prove to be a profound piece of legislation that makes a real difference in the health and well-being of not only Kentucky children and teens, but also kids across the nation. There’s an undeniable boom in e-cigarette use among Kentucky kids -- some first trying vaping as young [...]
Kentucky Youth Advocates Hosts Cheers for Children 2019 Celebration
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Kentucky Youth Advocates Hosts Cheers for Children 2019 Celebration LOUISVILLE, KY – On Thursday, April 11th, Kentucky Youth Advocates hosted the Cheers for Children 2019 Celebration to celebrate progress for kids during this year’s legislative session and to honor community advocates who helped make that progress happen. In the 2019 legislative session, four Kentucky Youth Advocates and Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priority bills were passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. Senate Bill 1 will increase student safety and access to behavioral health services in schools. House Bill 2 will improve state supports [...]
Keeping Kentucky Kids in Foster Care Connected to Families: Steps Ahead, Miles to Go
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Keeping Kentucky Kids in Foster Care Connected to Families: Steps Ahead, Miles to Go New 10-year Data Snapshot from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Shows Kentucky Lags Behind Other States LOUISVILLE, KY – Though the data show stagnant progress from 2007 to 2017, Kentucky has recently demonstrated its commitment to prioritizing family-based placements for children in foster care, according to “Keeping Kids in Families: Trends in U.S. Foster Care Placement,” a new data snapshot released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT® project. In 2017, Kentucky had 81 percent of children in [...]