Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Children’s Health Insurance Program
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates In mid-September, it looked like a sure win for America’s kids when it came to health care. The Hatch/Wyden bill had passed out of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, and it looked as if kids across the commonwealth and the country would be covered as funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was extended. But somewhere and somehow CHIP got lost in the D.C. shuffle and Congress failed to fund that important kid measure by its Saturday deadline. I get it. Washington D.C. [...]
New Data Shows 1 in 4 Kentucky Children Still Live in Poverty
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 EXT 122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates New data released today by the U.S Census Bureau reveal that 247,780 Kentucky children still live in poverty. The American Community Survey one-year estimates show 25 percent of Kentucky children lived in poverty in 2016, which was not a significant change from the 2015 estimate. This estimate reveals that the percent of Kentucky children living in poverty remains higher since the Great Recession began in 2008 (23.5 percent). “Children thrive when their parents can earn a living and meet the basic needs [...]
New Health Insurance Data Shows Continued Gains for Kentucky Children and Families
Contact: Mara Powell 502-895-8167 EXT 122 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates New health insurance data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that the percent of people with health insurance (of all ages) in Kentucky increased from 85.7 percent in 2013 to 94.9 percent in 2016. Kentucky now has the 8th highest rate among states of people with health insurance. The one-year estimates from the American Community Survey revealed that 96.7 percent of Kentucky children under 19 had health insurance in 2016, compared with 93.6 percent in 2013. This is an estimated [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on Governor Matt Bevin Signing SB 236 into Law
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates joined 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 SB 236, which was sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. SB 236 closes the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters and was passed by the General Assembly this Spring with unanimous support. This legislation will increase the safety of children [...]
2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Gains in Health and Continued Challenges in Economic Well-being
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org 2017 KIDS COUNT® Data Book Reveals Gains in Health and Continued Challenges in Economic Well-being Kentucky Ranks 34th in Child Well-being in the U.S. JEFFERSONTOWN, KY June 13, 2017 – Kentucky ranks 34th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the 2017 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The 2017 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, which includes county-level data, will be released in November. “Every year, the Data Book offers us a clear choice,” said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. “Do we [...]
Delta Dental of Kentucky Partners with Kentucky Youth Advocates to Develop Regional Oral Health Networks
Media Contact: Lynsey Trager lynsey@boxcarpr.com Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 859-496-5524 Delta Dental of Kentucky Invests $1 Million in Regional Oral Health Networks Establishing Five Regional Networks to Develop Local, Data-Driven Oral Health Solutions Louisville, KY – Following state results published in the Making Smiles Happen: 2016 Oral Health Study of Kentucky's Youth, Delta Dental of Kentucky is expanding its commitment to oral health across the state. Delta Dental of Kentucky is providing $1 million to launch five regional networks across the Commonwealth based upon a key recommendation from the 2016 study. These networks will engage diverse partners to develop local, data-driven [...]
Statement on House Passage of the American Health Care Act
Contact: Jessie Whitish 502-214-0303 jwhitish@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates The health of Kentucky's kids became as risky as a bet on the Derby with the passage of the American Health Care Act by the House today. There are positives that merit note to be sure. As an example, we appreciate the House's commitment to continue coverage for young adults until the age of 26. That is especially crucial for youth aging out of foster care. And the House's continued commitment to pre-existing conditions is a vital support for parents who may be at risk. [...]
Statement on Governor’s Appointment of Child Welfare Czar
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates The appointment of Daniel Dumas as Kentucky’s child welfare czar underscores Governor Matt Bevin’s commitment to children and families. This new position carries real potential as a catalyst for change. And we hope that the Governor and the Czar will embrace the call for revolution and not incremental improvement around the child welfare system, be that about adoptions or preserving families, kinship care or abuse and neglect prevention. Real change is predicated on making kids a priority as the state budget is crafted. You cannot [...]
Statement on Upholding Ruling in the Supreme Court to Allow Supports to Children in Relative Foster Care
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Common sense won in the 6th Circuit Court ruling. And so did kids. All children who are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect have undergone trauma. And all of them need support from caring and capable adults who have the resources to meet their needs. For too long in Kentucky, we have created a false dichotomy in which children placed with relatives are not offered the same resources as those placed with unrelated foster parents. The 6th Circuit Court ruling affirmed that [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 120 Heading to the Governor’s Desk
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank the Kentucky General Assembly for sending SB 120 to Governor Bevin’s desk for signature. SB 120, sponsored by Whitney Westerfield, will help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after reentry into the community. In Kentucky, 13% of kids have experienced parental incarceration, the highest rate in the nation. SB 120 represents a strong step to help parents leaving incarceration be better prepared to re-enter the workforce, support their family, and become a [...]