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Statement on Passage of Child Safety Legislation to Address Grooming and Educator Sexual Misconduct

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On the eve of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Kentucky General Assembly has taken critical action on two legislative priorities related to child safety and abuse prevention – House Bill 253, including provisions of House Bill 102, and House Bill 4 – both of which are now headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.  [...]

By |2026-03-31T17:27:45-04:00March 31st, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Statement on Passage of HB 686 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On the heels of the rulings in other states this week that social media platforms are deliberately designed to be addictive, the Kentucky House overwhelmingly supported passage of House Bill 686 to promote the positive youth development and mental health of young people.  The negative impacts of social media platforms is apparent to parents, educators, health professionals, [...]

By |2026-03-27T12:43:36-04:00March 27th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Health, News Room|
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Paid Family Leave – Strengthening Families and the Workforce

Time is quickly slipping away in the 2026 legislative session, but there is still time for the Kentucky General Assembly to pass important legislation to positively impact Kentucky families.   One policy that could have a huge impact on maternal health and child development for Kentucky families is paid family leave. In December 2024, Governor Beshear passed an executive order that would allow executive branch employees to have paid family medical leave for six weeks after [...]

By |2026-03-26T11:24:21-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Economic Security, Health|
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Common Ground for Kids: Addressing Addictive Platforms

Whether “right” or “left”, state legislators are acknowledging the role and impact of social media on youth. House Bill 227, sponsored by Representative Lockett with cosponsors growing each day, creates some guardrails for social media companies. This legislation specifically requires age verification procedures, prohibits specific “addictive features,” and sets privacy setting requirements and parental rights around account management. It also authorizes the Attorney General to bring forth action on behalf of Kentuckians where appropriate.  As [...]

By |2026-03-26T10:06:26-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Getting to the Root Cause to Prevent Truancy

All children deserve to learn and grow in an encouraging and supportive environment that reduces the risk of system involvement. Yet, recent legislative changes have led to more children and parents entering the court system for truancy. Truancy is defined as missing three or more days of school or being tardy on three or more days without a valid excuse. Any child who is reported as truant two or more times in a one year [...]

By |2026-03-26T09:42:09-04:00March 26th, 2026|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education, Justice|
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Statement on Passage of HB 338 by Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Alongside our partners in the Bloom Kentucky initiative, we’re celebrating as the House of Representatives unanimously supported Representative Susan Witten’s House Bill 338. This commonsense approach to promoting housing stability will ensure dismissed evictions are expunged and that no minor is named on an eviction filing.  The potential impact of HB 338 is great as the average [...]

By |2026-03-18T16:21:28-04:00March 18th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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Preparing Voices for Change: Youth Advocacy in Action at the Capitol

On March 4, 2026, the grounds of the Kentucky State Capitol were filled with something powerful: young voices ready to be heard. Advocates from across the Commonwealth gathered for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol (CAD), united by one goal: to speak up for Kentucky’s kids and help shape a better future. At the heart of CAD each year is a commitment to elevating youth voice. This year, Kentucky Youth Advocates partnered with  Educational [...]

By |2026-03-17T16:30:03-04:00March 17th, 2026|Blog|
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Taking Action to Improve Diaper Access for Families

One significant cost for families with young children that often goes overlooked is diapers.  Diapers can cost families at least $1,000 annually for every child in diapers. They are essential for infant and toddler health and hygiene, yet many families with young children experience diaper needs and struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy. When families cannot afford enough diapers, both parents and children are negatively impacted. Parents may be [...]

By |2026-03-12T13:56:50-04:00March 12th, 2026|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Health|
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Statement on Passage of HB 338 by House Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – When families have access to safe, stable housing, children can grow and thrive. Yet, families with children are two times more likely to face eviction than other households, often leading to long-term barriers to securing stable housing even if the case is dismissed. And sometimes those children are listed on eviction filings, damaging their housing record before [...]

By |2026-03-11T11:35:29-04:00March 11th, 2026|Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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Statement on Passage of HB 6 by Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky’s economy counts on a strong child care workforce and availability of high quality child care for every child so parents can go to work knowing their child is safe, learning, and cared for. Yet, child care deserts and increasing waitlists are causing child care programs to operate at the highest adult-to-child ratios that the state will allow, [...]

By |2026-03-10T10:14:15-04:00March 10th, 2026|Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, News Room|
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