COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: Landscape for Policies, Practices, and Systems Changes to Advance Racial Equity
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, advocates from across the state heard a discussion on changes in policies, practices, and systems that will advance racial equity for Kentucky kids and their families. Panelists include Karina Barillas, Executive Director of La Casita Center; Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of [...]
What Gets Measured Gets Changed: A Conversation with Kentucky Young People
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, advocates heard from three young people from Barren, Harlan, and Jefferson counties about their unique experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, how the National KIDS COUNT data is reflected in their lives, and ideas for improving outcomes for every Kentucky child. This is [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: A Conversation with DCBS Commissioner Marta Miranda-Straub
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks was joined by the recently appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, Marta Miranda-Straub. DCBS includes a number of human services, such as public benefits, child care, child welfare, and more. They discuss challenges and opportunities and [...]
Release of the 2020 National KIDS COUNT Data Book
Terry Brooks shares Kentucky's measurable, but still inadequate, improvements in child well-being as highlighted in Annie E. Casey Foundation's latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, how this data can be used as a guidepost as advocates and decision makers thoughtfully move forward from the immense and disparate impacts of the [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Realities Facing Parents Returning to Work
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the challenges of parents/caregivers returning to work and how employers and state systems can best support those parents. Panelists included Clanisha Coleman, Shawnee Club Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; Bill Londrigan, President of Kentucky AFL-CIO; and Ashli [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Future of K-12 Education
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our conversation on the future of K-12 education amidst the pandemic with the Kentucky Board of Education, including Chair, Dr. Lu Young, and member Patrice McCrary. They discuss the considerations for the 2020-21 school year, commitments to addressing inequities within [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Reopening and Future of Child Care
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks reflects on current events, confronting racism, and Kentucky Youth Advocates' recommitment to focusing on the impact of systemic racism on public policy and listening and learning from impacted communities. We also discuss the reopening of child care across Kentucky, including [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Impact on K-12 Education
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our conversation on K-12 education with advocates from across the state, including Penny Christian, president of the 16th District PTA in Lexington; Dr. Elizabeth Dinkins, Dean of the Bellarmine University School of Education; Brent McKim, President of the Jefferson County [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: A Conversation with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman
Terry Brooks was joined this week on an Advocate Virtual Forum by Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, who also serves as the Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, to discuss the future of education and workforce–and more. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine [...]
COVID-19 and Kentucky Kids: The Impact on Youth In and Transitioning Out of Foster Care
Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Nikki Thornton, Director of Program Operations at True Up, and Tia Humphrey, a member of the Voices of the Commonwealth. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting young people in or transitioning out of foster care and the supports they need [...]
