Bloom KY

Building a Children’s Cabinet: What, Why, Who, and How?

Building a Children’s Cabinet: What, Why, Who, and How?

In order to meet the needs of kids and families, many states offer a variety of programs from medical services, nutrition programs, child care, and emergency supports. Although all the programs apply to families and children, the services can be hard to access since they are housed across different departments, cabinets, and websites. In order to increase efficiency, and make access easier for families of young children, states are looking outside the box and finding [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2025-12-17T09:36:05-05:00November 12th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Advocacy Corner, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Health|

Eviction Data Dashboard: Turning Insight Into Action

Eviction Data Dashboard: Turning Insight Into Action

Last week, Kentucky Youth Advocates hosted a webinar introducing the Kentucky Eviction Data Dashboard, an interactive tool that displays eviction filings and trends across the state from 2022-2024. The dashboard was developed to help policymakers, advocates, and community members understand the scope and impact of eviction in Kentucky and its impact on kids and families. Understanding the Impact of Eviction on Kids and Families The webinar opened with an overview of eviction, [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2025-11-13T10:26:48-05:00November 12th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security|

Tapping into Curiosity and Innovation: An Updated Dashboard to Drive Action

Tapping into Curiosity and Innovation: An Updated Dashboard to Drive Action

A trip to the Kentucky Science Center with children is like leveling up on curiosity and innovation. My nephews’ favorite part is usually the water table. It’s fascinating to watch how they look at the pipes and water spouts, devise a plan in their brain, then start working to implement what they want to have happen. The joy on their faces is priceless when they figure out their goal - like how to get [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-10-30T14:14:20-04:00October 30th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety|

Common-Sense Eviction Reform Heard in Interim Judiciary Committee

Common-Sense Eviction Reform Heard in Interim Judiciary Committee

At the October meeting for the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary, Representative Susan Witten presented on legislation that she filed during the 2025 legislative session aimed at making common sense changes to Kentucky’s eviction process to reduce the long-term, harmful effects on kids and families. “As the Housing Taskforce Co-Chair, the past two years we have worked really hard to try to identify state level solutions to Kentucky’s housing crisis,” Representative Witten stated during her [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2025-11-12T12:40:25-05:00October 23rd, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security|

Social Media Lawsuits, Mental Health, and the Role of Policymakers

Social Media Lawsuits, Mental Health, and the Role of Policymakers

Youth mental health issues are at an all time high— youth advocates, school districts, parents, and even the Surgeon General alike are elevating youth mental health as a vital issue due to the long-term impacts on physical health, success in school, and future of the community. Many are lifting up the role of social media companies and their platforms in adversely impacting youth. Social Media Lawsuits A major multi-district litigation (MDL 3047) is currently moving [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-12-17T09:35:27-05:00October 6th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

Harlan County Poke Sallet Festival – Serving up Positive Childhood Experiences

Harlan County Poke Sallet Festival – Serving up Positive Childhood Experiences

For over 70 years, Harlan County has been hosting the annual Poke Sallet Festival. What started as an idea after a dinner featuring poke sallet is now a robust community tradition that brings families and friends together year after year every summer. Not sure what poke sallet is? It’s a southern delicacy – also called a “forager’s delight”. This festival offers a wide range of events: singing competitions, a “Run for the Hills 5K”, pet [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-12-17T09:34:35-05:00September 30th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Positive Childhood Experiences: Feeling Safe and Protected by an Adult in the Home

Positive Childhood Experiences: Feeling Safe and Protected by an Adult in the Home

Did you know that creating positive experiences in childhood can lay the groundwork for lifelong resilience and well-being? These experiences are known as Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). PCEs highlight the nurturing moments, relationships, and environments that build a child’s inner strength and emotional health. In the Bloom Kentucky blog series, we explore how we can nurture these positive experiences to support children across the Commonwealth. Today’s spotlight is on the PCE of feeling safe [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-08-07T12:25:18-04:00August 7th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

Support on Decision Making to Invest in the Future of Our “Forever Kentucky Home”

by Tara Grieshop-Goodwin The air conditioning unit at our house recently went out - at the peak of some of our hottest days of the summer. We had an older unit that our HVAC service person had been able to keep running with fixes and repairs for many years (even decades) past when most units last. But eventually the damage was too great for repair and we had a big expense to cover. We debated [...]

By Tara Grieshop-Goodwin|2025-07-24T12:51:49-04:00July 24th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|

A Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Celebrating the Work of WCKY Camp Mariposa

A Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Celebrating the Work of WCKY Camp Mariposa

As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout to programs fostering hope and resilience in our communities. We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work being done at WestCare Kentucky (WCKY) Camp Mariposa. WCKY Camp Mariposa is an addiction prevention and mentoring program for children ages 9-12 who have been affected by the substance use of a parent or close family member. Part of a national network of camps [...]

By Hannah McCarty|2025-07-10T19:37:16-04:00June 26th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Positive Childhood Experiences: Having at Least Two Non-Parent Adults Who Genuinely Cared

Positive Childhood Experiences: Having at Least Two Non-Parent Adults Who Genuinely Cared

Can you think of someone in your life, outside of your parental figures, who showed a deep and genuine care for you? Having access to supportive, non-parental adults who care is considered a positive childhood experience and helps buffer life’s toughest times. David Townsend, Executive Director of The Home of Opportunities and Dreams (HOOD), uses his time and talents to create welcoming environments that promote positive development and create access to safe and trusted [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2025-06-25T12:16:41-04:00June 18th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|