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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 |2024-07-17T12:31:54-04:00July 17th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Health|
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The State of Child Labor in Kentucky

Entering the labor force young has its benefits. Having a job as a teen (ages 16-18) can predict higher quality jobs and higher wages in adulthood. Quality work experience at a young age can improve physical and mental health in the long term, as well as reduce the likelihood that a youth will interact with the criminal justice system.  However, youth only benefit from employment when they are working in safe, age-appropriate environments. In Kentucky [...]

By |2024-07-11T13:42:11-04:00July 11th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Race Equity|
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KYGA24: Major Updates for Kinship Families

Co-authored by  Kathleen Baldwin, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates During the 2024 legislative session we saw some MAJOR wins for kinship families in Kentucky, which will be going into effect over the coming months. Research shows that placement with family members or a safe adult known to the child, rather than traditional foster care, can have lifelong benefits for a child and their family. Children placed in kinship settings have more placement stability, are less [...]

By |2024-07-03T15:10:37-04:00July 3rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|
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OP-ED: If we all agree Kentucky children need more help, why is ‘kinship bill’ stalled?

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader on June 27, 2024. By Norma Hatfield Norma Hatfield with her granddaughters I am shocked and saddened as I reflect upon recent events regarding Senate Bill (SB) 151 for kinship caregivers. There are many questions, beginning with, how is nothing better than something for children, when we know we can do better? The story requires some background; I begin with the term, ‘kinship care.’ It’s [...]

By |2024-07-03T11:37:11-04:00June 27th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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KYGA24: Unpacking HB 2 and the School Choice Ballot Initiative

The 2024 state legislative session was marked by a diverse range of K-12 education legislation, covering topics from bus safety to cursive writing to enhancements in mathematics interventions, and adjustments to substitute teacher certification.  There was notable legislation passed with aims of supporting the teacher pipeline and others around safety and student wellbeing – see a full recap of K-12 education and other legislation impacting kids here. To add to the business of the session, [...]

By |2024-06-12T11:52:30-04:00June 12th, 2024|Blog, Education|
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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 |2024-06-12T10:14:20-04:00June 12th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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Kentucky Ranks 38th in 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Equipping Kids to Learn

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 X122 Chronic Absences, Drop in Test Scores: Kentucky Ranks 38th in 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book Urging Focus on Equipping Kids to Learn 50-State Data Show Academic Outcomes, Absence are Linked to Poverty, Trauma; Policymakers Must Act to Promote Kids' Future Success, Annie E. Casey Foundation Finds LOUISVILLE, KY — Kentucky ranks 38th in child well-being, according to the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report developed by [...]

By |2024-06-10T09:13:11-04:00June 10th, 2024|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, News Room, Race Equity|
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KYGA24: A Look at Implications for Juvenile Justice

We’ve all heard different things about juvenile crime: that it’s on the rise (at best) or completely out of control (at worst), that teens today are more inherently prone to violence than any other generation in memory, or that the legal system is failing to hold them accountable. Combine that with around-the-clock accessibility to some of the worst images, videos, and headlines of violent incidents and it can be challenging for any of us to [...]

By |2024-05-23T12:36:40-04:00May 23rd, 2024|Blog, Race Equity, Youth Justice|
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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 |2024-05-09T14:55:52-04:00May 9th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education|
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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 |2024-05-08T08:43:20-04:00May 8th, 2024|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health, Race Equity|
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