Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on State Intervention and Local Control Agreement for Jefferson County Public Schools
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We have consistently asserted that Jefferson County Public School kids need the local board to continue to exercise its voice; a commitment to a fundamentally different way of doing business to ensure the safety and success of JCPS students; and, clear and transparent measures in place to ensure accountability for long-standing issues. The agreement announced between Interim Commissioner of Education Dr. Wayne Lewis and the Jefferson County Board of Education achieves those essentials in a creative and collaborative manner. The local and state [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Gov. and First Lady Bevin’s Announcement on Appointments to Child Welfare Transformation Initiative
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, Governor Matt Bevin and First Lady Glenna Bevin announced that Chris and Alicia Johnson will join the administration as Special Advisors in the Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives. The Johnsons will work closely with the Department for Community Based Services within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to support the department’s ongoing adoption and foster care initiatives, including the transformative efforts required under House Bill 1. If there is one arena on which seemingly a divided Frankfort agrees, it is the need for [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Reversal of Medicaid Co-pay Mandates
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentucky's kids – and especially the state's most vulnerable – won today because of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services' decision to reverse Medicaid co-payment mandates. Providing the most children with the most access is ethical governance and a smart return on investment at the same time.
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Restoration of Medicaid Dental and Vision Benefits
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Oral health is essential to the overall health and well-being of children and their families. That is why we at Kentucky Youth Advocates are glad to see the Bevin Administration’s commitment to restore dental, vision, and non-emergency transportation benefits that are essential to Kentuckians’ health. Though children, pregnant women, and former foster youth up to age 26 were protected from cost sharing requirements and reduced benefit packages, we had concerns about unintentional consequences to children’s coverage. Parents must be healthy to provide for [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Appointment of Department for Community Based Services Commissioner
Contact: Shannon Moody 502-895-8167 *126 smoody@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today offers real hope and real promise to Kentucky’s kids and families with the announcement that Eric Clark has been named DCBS Commissioner. That job demands head and heart, compassion and rigor, a big picture perspective and attention to detail. Eric Clark exemplifies that complex job description. As Commissioner, Eric faces an array of immediate opportunities and obligations. The effective implementation of HB 1’s sweeping reforms; ensuring that Kentucky benefits from the major federal child welfare reform, Family First; the efficient and speedy [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Unintentional Denial of Routine Dental Care for Children and Pregnant Women
Contact: Mahak Kalra Mkalra@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *114 Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Unintentional Denial of Routine Dental Care for Children and Pregnant Women Louisville, KY – In the midst of the political toxicity that has surrounded the proposed 1115 waiver, we at Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) have consistently commended Governor Bevin and his administration for protecting children, pregnant women, and former foster youth up to age 26 from changes in coverage as the state sought to transition Medicaid through the 1115 waiver. We, therefore, have been surprised and disappointed to learn that, as a result of the administration’s response to the Medicaid ruling [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Kentucky’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver Federal Court Ruling
Contact: Jessie Whitish 502-895-8167 *121 jwhitish@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today’s ruling inevitably means further court wrangling and continued uncertainty for Kentucky’s families. Health coverage is so vital, and it’s tough on families who are left with more questions than answers as the case moves to the next court setting. Regardless of the final outcome of the case and regardless of attendant decisions, Kentucky Youth Advocates is going to keep asking the same – and singular – question: “Is it good for kids?” It is important to note that Kentucky HEALTH protects children, [...]
2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Improved Child Outcomes and Continued Areas of Need in Kentucky
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Improved Child Outcomes and Continued Areas of Need in Kentucky Accurate count in 2020 census critical to sustaining progress Louisville, KY – Kentucky ranks 37th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kentucky’s standing is due in part to progress in family economic well-being, child health coverage, teen births, and parental education. However, an accurate 2020 census count of the commonwealth’s kids and families is vital in protecting gains and continuing progress in child well-being in [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Kentucky Kinship Caregiver Supports
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates A Supreme Court ruling and a significant budget commitment from the Governor and General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session gave kinship caregivers across Kentucky unprecedented hope for a better tomorrow as they care for children. And yet, that hope has been displaced by uncertainty and confusion, frustration and a continued lack of sufficient support. Two arenas must be addressed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Department of Community Based Services in the immediate if the promise of kinship care support is [...]
Statement on Governor Matt Bevin Signing HB 1 into Law
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 *122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement on Governor Matt Bevin Signing HB 1 into Law Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates joined Governor Matt Bevin, Representative David Meade, Representative Joni Jenkins, Kosair Charities®, partners in the Face It® Movement to End Child Abuse, and Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners to celebrate Governor Bevin’s ceremonial signing of House Bill 1, which was co-sponsored by Representative David Meade and Representative Joni Jenkins and received bipartisan support from the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly. “Every Kentucky child deserves a family and a safe place to call home. House Bill 1 fundamentally reforms Kentucky’s adoption and [...]