Bloom KY

Intersection of Vaping and Opioid Use

Intersection of Vaping and Opioid Use

Despite concerted efforts to address underage tobacco and nicotine use and advocacy to increase funding for prevention and cessation programs, vaping continues to be a major concern throughout Kentucky schools and communities. Research has long-proven the negative health impacts that tobacco and nicotine use has while using and for years to come – costing both individuals and health care systems millions of dollars over the lifetime of a smoker. Youth who vape also experience negative [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2024-07-17T12:31:54-04:00July 17th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Health|

Bloom Kentucky: Youth Engage with Attorney General on Substance Use Prevention Efforts

Bloom Kentucky: Youth Engage with Attorney General on Substance Use Prevention Efforts

As Bloom Kentucky continues to look for ways to improve and expand opioid prevention efforts across the state, we recently partnered with the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General (KYOAG) so that Attorney General Russell Coleman and leaders of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission could hear from students directly. In the halls of the State Capitol, 15 students from six counties in every corner of the state convened to provide valuable insights and bring [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-06-21T09:04:38-04:00June 20th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

KYGA24: Addressing the Impact of Evictions on Kids

KYGA24: Addressing the Impact of Evictions on Kids

Evictions have a major impact on the safety and stability of Kentucky kids, often forcing families to move away from systems of support and into housing insecurity. However, a new report from Louisville’s Center for Health Equity shows that the impact of evictions goes much deeper than stability, also impacting the health of children and families. Evictions are both common and impact families of color more than other groups. Over 16,000 evictions were filed just [...]

By Karena Cash|2024-06-12T10:14:20-04:00June 12th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Girl Scouts

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Girl Scouts

More than a Badge – Girl Scouts as a Positive Childhood Experience Bloom Kentucky’s new series of “sprout-outs” is our take on worthwhile “shout-outs”! This particular sprout-out is in honor of the great work happening with the Girl Scouts in creating positive childhood experiences across the Commonwealth. When you think of the Girl Scouts – a few things might come to mind. Your favorite cookies… badges for leadership and community service… you might even think [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-06-06T13:54:16-04:00June 6th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Yes Arts

Bloom Kentucky Sprout-Out: Yes Arts

Yes Arts: Mobilizing the Power of Community and the Arts to Disrupt the Cycle of Addiction When we have the opportunity to celebrate the great work taking place in Kentucky, we make sure to SPROUT it out (our Bloom take on a Shout-Out!) when it comes to opioid abatement efforts. Sometimes tragedy can be a catalyst for change. After losing her daughter to a heroin/fentanyl overdose in 2015, Doris Thurber, along with other local [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-05-16T10:59:11-04:00May 15th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

KYGA24: Sustaining the Child Care Sector

KYGA24: Sustaining the Child Care Sector

Child care was a huge topic of discussion during the 2024 legislative session. Advocates appealed to elected officials to help them understand that safe and reliable child care makes it possible for families to be part of the workforce and benefit the whole community. Legislators also examined the price tag that would be attached to stabilizing Kentucky’s child care industry, and that price tag was not small. In previous years, most of the child care [...]

By Sarah Vanover|2024-05-09T14:55:52-04:00May 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education|

KYGA24: Prioritizing Maternal Health

KYGA24: Prioritizing Maternal Health

Among the topics that were a focus area for legislators in 2024 is maternal health – both the troubling outcomes for mothers across the Commonwealth and tangible steps we can take to address these issues. Following SB 135 of 2023 which targeted maternal depression, and an administrative change that ensures mothers on Medicaid are covered for 12 months postpartum, the 2024 General Assembly focused on additional ways to keep moms and babies healthy. HB 10, [...]

By Alicia Whatley|2024-05-08T08:43:20-04:00May 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|

Bloom Kentucky: Recapping KYGA24 Efforts to Address ACEs

Bloom Kentucky: Recapping KYGA24 Efforts to Address ACEs

Bloom Kentucky is committed to addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through policy change. We know that the multi-generational impacts of childhood adversity require an upstream approach and that often is done through legislative action and budget investments. Policy Priorities For this session, Bloom Kentucky identified policy priorities focused on ensuring a strong student-teacher pipeline, supporting access to school-based mental health, promoting housing stability and expanding prenatal and delivery care. Here’s a recap of how our [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-04-18T17:02:26-04:00April 18th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, Health|

Bloom Kentucky Listening & Learning Session: Winchester

Bloom Kentucky Listening & Learning Session: Winchester

What happens when passionate people who want to make a difference come together to listen and learn from one another? Pretty incredible things. On March 26th, Bloom Kentucky and the Greater Clark Foundation came together in Winchester at the Clark County Public Library for a Listening & Learning Session. During this session, attendees learned more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Childhood Experiences, Clark County regional data, received an update from the Sowing Resilience [...]

By Hannah Edelen|2024-04-03T11:04:30-04:00April 3rd, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky|

Statement on Final Passage of HB 377

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 [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2024-03-28T17:23:09-04:00March 28th, 2024|Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, News Room|