New Health Insurance Data Released Today Shows Continued Gains for Kentucky Children and Families
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@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 health insurance coverage rates for people of all ages in Kentucky increased from 85.7 percent in 2013 to 94.0 percent in 2015. Kentucky's overall coverage rate is now tied with two other states at 10th in the nation. The one-year estimates from the American Community Survey revealed that 95.8 percent of Kentucky children under 18 had health insurance in 2015, compared with 94.1 percent in 2013. This is an estimated increase [...]
New Special Report Highlights How Covering More Parents through Medicaid Expansion Benefits Kids
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY – Children are already reaping the benefits of more Kentucky parents having health insurance due to Medicaid expansion, according to a new special report from Kentucky Youth Advocates. The report, Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky: Benefits to Kids and Families, examines the numerous family and child health benefits that have resulted from more parents having affordable health coverage. “The research is clear. Parent health impacts child health,” said Terry Brooks, executive director at Kentucky Youth Advocates. “When parents are covered, their children are more likely to be insured as well. Parents are also more [...]
Statement on Medicaid Waiver Proposal Submitted to Federal Government
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, the Bevin Administration submitted its revised 1115 Medicaid Waiver proposal to the federal government for approval. The waiver includes several modifications from the original proposal based on comments received from the public during the comment period. We at Kentucky Youth Advocates appreciate that some of our recommendations to the Bevin Administration were incorporated in the final waiver proposal, but we still have several concerns with the submitted waiver. Given the vulnerability of former foster youth, we were pleased to see the Bevin Administration [...]
Statement on Proposed Medicaid Changes
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates "Is it good for kids?" That is the question we at Kentucky Youth Advocates are asking while trying to understand the proposal by the Bevin Administration to transform Kentucky's Medicaid program. From our perspective, we see some positives but also have some concerns. First, we thank Governor Bevin for protecting children and pregnant women from potential negative impacts that premiums and reduced benefit packages could have on these populations. We believe that children and unborn children should have access to health coverage and needed [...]
National 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book Highlights Gains in Health Despite Challenging Economic Climate
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org JEFFERSONTOWN, KY – Kentucky ranks 35th in the nation in overall child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2016 KIDS COUNT® Data Book co-released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates. The national KIDS COUNT Data Book provides state-level data and rankings. The 2016 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, which includes county-level data and rankings, will be released in November. In addition to ranking 35th in overall child well-being, Kentucky ranks 38th in economic well-being, 27th in education, 16th in health, and 37th in the family and community domains. Notably, Kentucky’s health ranking continues [...]
Statement on New Program for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Governor Matt Bevin, Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Commissioner Adria Johnson of the Department of Community Based Services announced a new program that will serve as a pipeline for success for over 100 youth aging out of the foster care system. Fostering Success will include a ten-week workforce training and mentoring program with the goal of linking youth ages 18 to 23 to additional employment opportunities as they exit the care of the state. They will receive [...]
Statement on Final State Budget
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Tough budget times make for tough decisions. And that is certainly true for the just finalized Kentucky budget. Yet there are several aspects of the budget which merit applause and bring hope. We all win as Kentuckians when the Governor, Senate, and House come together to address endemic budget fractures like the pension system. The Commonwealth can’t move ahead without tackling those kinds of major crises. Additionally, a number of specific items in the budget show common sense and a commitment to families. There [...]
Parental Incarceration has Immediate and Lasting Impacts on Kids, According to a New KIDS COUNT Report
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Jeffersontown, KY – Ashley*, a high school student from a small town in rural Kentucky, was 12 years old when she discovered her mom was addicted to drugs. Soon after, her mom was in and out of jail several times over the next year and subsequent years. “We couldn't afford to do laundry with a washer and dryer, so we did our laundry in the sink and hung it up to dry. For me, learning wasn't my main focus in middle school; making sure that my brother, sister, and I looked normal was more important. [...]
Statement on HB 40 Headed to the Governor’s Desk
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates Today, HB 40 to allow record expungement for certain low-level felonies took a final step before heading to the Governor’s desk for his signature. We thank members of the House for concurring with the Senate changes and sending the bill to the Governor. This legislation impacts children as it helps many parents with a criminal history get back to work after they have completed court-ordered requirements. We appreciate the work of Representative Darryl Owens and Representative David Floyd over many years to bring this important [...]
Statement on SB 40 Passing the House
Contact: Andrea Bennett 502-381-1176 abennett@kyyouth.org Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates We applaud the full House for passing SB 40 today to create a pilot project to open courts in child welfare cases. This bill is now just steps away from the Governor’s desk. SB 40, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, will open courts in a limited way in order to evaluate how this practice impacts children and the broader systems involved. We appreciate the work of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel for recommending this solution as one way to prevent [...]