New Rankings Show Impact of Place on Kentucky Children’s Health
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org JEFFERSONTOWN, KY – An easy-to-use snapshot that compares counties within states, the eighth annual County Health Rankings show that where you live influences how well and how long you live. The local level data makes it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond healthcare including housing, education, jobs, access to healthy foods, and more. “The reality is, children’s health is touched deeply and pervasively by where they live, learn, and play – long before they get to the doctor’s office or dentist’s chair,” said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 1 Passing Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Gathering a consensus when it comes to accountability and assessment is a miracle. Senator Mike Wilson pulled off such a miracle in crafting Senate Bill 1. SB 1 will be a catalyst for better teaching and learning in each of Kentucky’s schools. Its premise is that the professionalism of principals and teachers needs to be honored, unnecessary bureaucratic red tape needs to be eliminated, and standards across the board need to be rigorous. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of SB 1 is its redefinition of [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on HB 520 Passing Kentucky Senate
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Kentucky Youth Advocates applauds the work of the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives for their work to create a charter school bill that creates opportunity for students in Kentucky. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates have consistently asserted three key points in the charter school debate. First, there are clearly good and bad charter experiences in this nation and we need to learn lessons from those. Second, high quality charters can be one of many tools to assist vulnerable children in the Commonwealth. And finally, [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 120 Passing Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the Kentucky House for passing SB 120 with broad bipartisan support. SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, will help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after re-entry into the community. Over 1 in 10 children in Kentucky have experienced parental incarceration, the highest rate in the nation, and SB 120 is a vital step in helping to limit the negative impact incarceration has on kids and families. We applaud Governor Matt Bevin, [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 236 Passing Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the Kentucky House for unanimously passing SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, to close the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters. Children deserve to learn, play, and grow safe from abuse. SB 236 will increase the safety of children in the care of adults by ensuring employers have access to important information when deciding to hire someone who will work with children. We appreciate the ongoing commitment [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on HB 520 Passing Senate Education Committee
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates HB 520 can be a real opportunity for vulnerable kids in Kentucky who need a fresh start as learners. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates have consistently asserted three key points in the charter school debate. First, there are clearly good and bad charter experiences in this nation and we need to learn lessons from those. Secondly, high quality charters can be one of many tools to assist vulnerable children in the Commonwealth. And finally, no one can contend that charters are a magic wand to [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 195 Passing House
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank the Kentucky House for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who have been held accountable and stay out of trouble expunge additional offenses. We also thank Representative Joseph Fischer for presenting the bill on the House floor. When kids get back on track, we must ensure they are prepared to succeed in the future. SB 195 will make youth record expungement more consistent with adult record expungement after passage of HB 40 during the 2016 General Assembly. We appreciate the work of Representative Fischer and Senator [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 236 Passing House Health & Family Services Committee
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Health and Family Services Chair Addia Wuchner and members of the committee for passing SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. SB 236 seeks to close the gaps in background checks of adults working with children in schools, youth camps, and in the home as private babysitters. Stronger background checks will help ensure that kids are safe from abuse in the care of professionals. SB 236 emphasizes the importance of giving parents and employers the information they need to know to [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 195 Passing House Judiciary Committee
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We thank House Judiciary Chair Joseph Fischer and committee members for passing SB 195, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chair Whitney Westerfield, to help youth who get back on track expunge additional offenses. We must hold youth accountable, but we know kids make mistakes. Those mistakes should not hold youth back from opportunities to learn and work. SB 195 will help youth who stay out of trouble have a brighter future and promote public safety. We appreciate the work of Chairman Westerfield in ensuring youth who [...]
Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks on SB 120 Passing House Judiciary Committee
Contact: Mara Powell 859-496-5524 mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud Chairman Joseph Fischer and members of the House Judiciary Committee for Passing SB 120, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, to help parents who have served their time get back to work, not re-offend, and care for their children after reentry into the community. Kentucky has the highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. SB 120 is a key opportunity to help limit the negative impacts of parental incarceration on kids and families. We thank Governor Matt Bevin, Secretary of the [...]