OP-ED: Lots of Questions for the 2022 KY General Assembly

This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal on April 21, 2022. By Dr. Terry Brooks In a press conference before the historic launch of Apollo 11 to the moon, Neil Armstrong was asked about the answers he hoped to discover with his moonwalk. He responded by asserting that he will likely have more questions to ask than answers. That is how I feel as we leave the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly – I have a whole bunch of [...]

Recap of KYGA22 & Impact on Kids

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Kentucky Youth Advocates took a detailed look at the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, Blueprint for Kentucky's Children wins and missed opportunities, and what it means for kids and their families. Learn more about priority bills, how to take action, and view the Bill Tracker at kyyouth.org/blueprintky/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn [...]

By |2022-04-20T15:41:58-04:00April 21st, 2022|Podcast|

Continued Advocacy Needed to Curb Youth Vaping

Throughout the 2022 General Assembly, Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) advocated for policies that are good for Kentuckians’ health, including measures aimed at preventing youth tobacco and e-cigarette use. We know that more than 1 in 4 Kentucky high schoolers use e-cigarettes and the instances of youth using tobacco products has spread into many Kentucky middle schools.  These products pose a number of health risks and ultimately lead to many Kentuckians dying prematurely. New research adds [...]

By |2022-04-20T13:58:27-04:00April 20th, 2022|Blog, Health|

Wins & Missed Opportunities for Kids in the 2022 General Assembly

The final gavel has fallen for the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly! This year, the Governor and the Kentucky General Assembly were tasked with crafting a two-year state budget, tackle redistricting, advance policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic, tax reform, and other policy priorities that would be good for the communities they represent and the Commonwealth. If we take a second to reflect, that’s a heavy lift in a long 60-day session. There was good news [...]

Deep Dive into House Bill 7 + What It Means for Kids and Families

Safety net programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), play a critical role in making sure families struggling to make ends meet can have food to eat, cover basic family needs, and access critical supports and services needed to be healthy and thrive. This is especially important as new evidence emerges [...]

By |2022-04-19T16:58:54-04:00April 19th, 2022|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Health|

Statement on Final Passage of HB 174 by the General Assembly

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners in the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children are celebrating today as House Bill 174 received its final passage as part of Senate Bill 178, a favorable bill sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, and now heads to the Governor for signature. Parents’ health and access to health insurance coverage, especially for mothers, affects the [...]

By |2022-04-14T14:53:09-04:00April 14th, 2022|Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Update on Priorities for Kids in the Final Days of KYGA22

The 2022 Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up Day 58 of the 60-day legislative session and there are many key Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children wins to already celebrate. These priority bills have passed the Kentucky House and Senate and have been delivered to the Governor: Senate Bill 8 to strengthen points of the child welfare system, from child maltreatment prevention to investigation to healing and out-of-home care – signed by the Governor! Senate Bill 97 [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 83 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Financial independence can mean the difference between a parent having to remain in an abusive relationship and leaving for their children’s and their own safety. Thankfully, with today’s passage of House Bill 83 by the Kentucky House via consent orders, the Commonwealth is one step closer to removing barriers to permanently leaving an abusive relationship. HB 83, sponsored [...]

Statement on Final Passage of SB 97 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – When the terrible event that a child fatality or near fatality due to maltreatment occurs, Kentucky must have strong systems in place to ensure it never happens again. Thankfully, the Kentucky General Assembly recognizes that imperative with final passage of Senate Bill 97 today by the House via consent orders. SB 97, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, will [...]

By |2022-03-30T16:56:29-04:00March 30th, 2022|Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Statement on Passage of Final State Budget by the General Assembly

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director, Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Earlier this month as leaders of the Kentucky House and Senate went into Conference Committee, we wrote on the important moment: “When the rubber hits the road.” It’s a moment when the true priorities of the General Assembly come to light as the final state budget for the next two years gets crafted – full of compromise, tough [...]

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