Statement on Governor’s Announcement to Expand Medicaid
We applaud the Governor’s announcement today to expand Medicaid to adults and parents to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Through this expansion, thousands of Kentuckians will be able to receive needed health care, at a small cost to the state. The research is clear. Many uninsured parents delay or forgo care due to cost, causing health conditions to worsen. Also, when parents are covered, they are more likely to take their children to the doctor for well-child exams and are in a better state of health to keep their families financially secure. The expansion will help an estimated [...]
Survey of Child Care Providers Shows Subsidy Cuts Likely to Impact Access to Child Care
Jeffersontown, KY- The cuts to the child care subsidy program that took effect April 1st put availability of child care at risk, according to a survey of child care providers released today. The survey of nearly 400 child care providers, representing 66 counties across Kentucky, shows that the cuts in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) will not only hurt the children that lose assistance, but will cause many child care centers to close, leaving even more children with no access to child care. The survey also reveals that the cuts will lead to significant layoffs of child care teachers [...]
New Brief Shows Kentucky Children Would Benefit from Medicaid Expansion
Jeffersontown, KY – Thousands of children could see immediate and long-term health benefits, at a small cost to the state, if Kentucky expands Medicaid to adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line starting in January 2014, according to a new issue brief from Kentucky Youth Advocates. The brief, Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky: Kids Have Much to Gain, examines the numerous family and child health benefits that result when parents have access to affordable health coverage. “The research is clear. Many uninsured parents delay or forgo care due to cost, causing health conditions to worsen,” said Terry Brooks, [...]
Statement on Governor Beshear Signing HB 290 (Child Fatality Review Panel)
Today marks the final step in placing a panel to review child abuse deaths in Kentucky statute. Governor Beshear signed HB 290 today and we commend him for taking this important step. We reiterate our thanks to Representative Burch and Representative Wayne for championing this bill through the House and Senator Denton for strengthening the bill in the Senate. We also thank the many representatives and senators who supported this bill which will help identify ways to improve the child welfare system to better protect children. This is the final step for HB 290 and a strong step in protecting [...]
Oldham County is Healthiest in State; Floyd County is Least Healthy, According to Annual Rankings
Jeffersontown, KY- Oldham County has the healthiest residents in Kentucky and Floyd County is the least healthy county in the state, according to the fourth annual County Health Rankings, released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org. The County Health Rankings rank the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. Terry Brooks, executive director at Kentucky Youth Advocates, stated, “This report reminds us that health does not exist in a vacuum. The national and state data reveal that a number of non-health [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 290 (Child Fatality Review Panel) in Kentucky Legislature
Today marks a significant step forward in protecting children from dying due to abuse or neglect in Kentucky. HB 290, which puts into law a panel to review child abuse deaths, passed out of the General Assembly today and now heads to the Governor for his signature. The child fatality review panel will help us learn from our mistakes and improve practices in the child welfare system to prevent future child abuse deaths. It will help us understand what’s working in the system and what isn’t. HB 290 builds upon the original executive order issued by Governor Beshear, which created the [...]
Statement on Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Release of Early Childhood Profiles
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood released for the first time Early Childhood Profiles on a county-by-county basis. This tool can help communities and schools assess progress and make plans to help youngsters entering kindergarten. We were happy to see that KIDS COUNT data, which we track and report annually, proved useful for these profiles. And the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood is to be commended for this effort. That is the good news. The bad news is that because of recently announced cuts around child care supports and kinship care, it is almost inevitable that some vulnerable children across Kentucky [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 3 (Human Trafficking) in Kentucky Legislature
Marylee Underwood, staff attorney, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs "Today is a great day for Kentucky's kids! By unanimously passing the Human Trafficking Victims Rights Act, Kentucky legislators sent a clear message that modern day slavery has no place in this state. Victims of trafficking, especially children exploited in commercial sex, will be treated as victims rather than as criminals and be given access to healing services. Law enforcement will be more equipped to address this crime through training and a specialized Kentucky State Police unit. Convicted traffickers will pay for vital victims' services through asset forfeiture and fines. [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 3 (Human Trafficking) in Senate
Marylee Underwood, staff attorney, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs Today’s vote of HB 3 by the Kentucky Senate represents a fine example of our elected leaders working across party lines in the best interest of our vulnerable youth. Human trafficking legislation is now just a few steps away from becoming law. HB 3 ensures that child victims of human trafficking receive the services they need, rather than being detained or prosecuted. Not only does this help heal their trauma and avoid a life of continued victimization, it saves the state money as detention is costly. The legislation also increases [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 290 (Child Fatality Review Panel) in Senate
The Senate stood strong for Kentucky kids today, passing HB 290 to create a child fatality review panel. Senator Denton and primary cosponsors Representative Burch and Representative Wayne are to be commended for this strong bipartisan effort to make sure Kentucky's most vulnerable kids are safe. The bill puts into law a panel that can make a real difference in the battle against child abuse by ensuring we know what is working and what isn’t. HB 290 carries important improvements over the Governor’s Executive Order. As an example, the sponsors worked to make sure the panel has access to complete records [...]