OP-ED: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids
This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 30, 2024. By Dr. Terry Brooks It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which still holds the NFL record for the most fumbles in a single season. And from my viewpoint, this legislative session had the most fumbles for kids I have [...]
OP-ED: A focus on prevention in the mission to end child abuse
This originally appeared as an op-ed in the NKY Tribune on April 24, 2024. By Barry Dunn and Shannon Moody Child abuse cases grab headlines and our hearts. We are often left asking: “how could this happen?” and “who would hurt an innocent child?” Substantiated cases of child abuse lead to intervention measures, which are necessary when a child can no longer safely be with their parents due to abuse or neglect. Intervention can include removing the child from the home and criminal charges for the offending adult. But intervention occurs after the fact. By that point, the child has [...]
Statement on Final Passage of HB 377
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – An investment in the student-to-teacher pipeline is an investment in our students – and the future of Kentucky’s workforce and economic well-being. With today’s final passage of House Bill 377 by the Senate, Kentucky school districts can now deepen their toolbox for recruiting and retaining quality and qualified teachers for their schools. HB 377, sponsored by Representative Kim Banta, creates a Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program and establishes Student-Teacher stipends in eligible programs. The General Assembly is empowering the next [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 11 by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – What’s clear is that Kentucky’s kids are facing a vaping epidemic, orchestrated by “big vape” companies through marketing and sweet flavors. What’s also clear is that kids are getting their hands on vapes through local retailers despite state and federal tobacco-21 laws prohibiting selling to those underage. What is unclear is why the Kentucky General Assembly continues to move the focus away from enforcing underage sales law and taking meaningful steps to reduce youth initiation of these addictive nicotine products. Today’s passage [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 275 by the Kentucky Senate
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Especially as we approach Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we are joining our partners at the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement in celebrating passage of House Bill 275, championed by Representative James Tipton. This important piece of child sexual abuse prevention legislation will boost child safety in the immediate and ensure students across the Commonwealth can learn and grow, free from abuse and with safe adults, into the future. While not all in a school setting, the latest national Child Maltreatment Report [...]
Statement on Passage of HCR 68
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – All kids need a place that is safe and stable to grow up in, and every parent and young person needs a place to live that is affordable given their income. However, rising housing costs, slowed construction, and natural disasters have made it increasingly difficult for families to find and afford safe places to live across the Commonwealth. House Concurrent Resolution 68, sponsored by Representative Randy Bridges, takes a forward-thinking, solution-focused approach by establishing the Kentucky Housing Task Force to study, review, and provide [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 199 by the Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Along with Bloom Kentucky, we are celebrating as House Bill 199 passes the Kentucky House to expand access to safe and healthy prenatal and birth options. HB 199 seeks to remove the certificate-of-need requirement for freestanding birth centers which will allow Kentucky to expand access to safe alternatives to hospital delivery for families. Although there are now more than 400 freestanding birth centers in 40 states and DC, Kentucky does not have any freestanding birth centers – resulting in pregnant women choosing [...]
Statement on Passage of HB 377 by the Senate Education Committee
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With today’s unanimous passage of House Bill 377 by the Senate Education Committee, Kentucky is one step closer to strengthening the student-teacher pipeline and the future of the K-12 workforce. In many ways, an investment in our teacher workforce is an investment in the current and future students across our Commonwealth. HB 377, sponsored by Representative Kim Banta, creates a Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program and establishes Student-Teacher stipends in eligible programs – two programs with real potential to boost [...]
Statement on Final Passage of HB 561
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – This week, the Kentucky Senate ensured final passage of Representative Samara Heavrin’s House Bill 561 – an important measure that takes steps to strengthen Kentucky’s vulnerable child care infrastructure. By permanently establishing the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership (ECCAP) and creating the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program, HB 561 has the potential to support a strong local workforce and economy for families to grow and thrive. The ECCAP program – which Kentucky has been nationally recognized for – is a workforce recruitment [...]
Statement on Passage of SB 151 by the Kentucky House
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Thousands of Kentucky’s kinship and fictive kin families flat out won today with the final passage of Senate Bill 151, championed by Senator Julie Raque Adams, by the Kentucky House. Just as these caregivers step up at a moment’s notice to provide a safe space for their young loved ones to grow and heal, our General Assembly has stepped up once again to prioritize the well-being of these children who have experienced abuse or neglect. While Kentucky provides financial assistance to relative or [...]