CAW 2024 Retreat: Empowering Kentucky’s Youth to Light the Way

Two weeks ago, Frankfort became a buzzing hub of youthful energy and advocacy as over thirty dynamic young individuals from every corner of the Commonwealth convened for Kentucky Youth Advocates' annual youth retreat. This gathering, held on the eve of Children’s Advocacy Day, was not just any retreat – it was a vibrant confluence of minds eager to shape the future. Groups including KYA’s Health Youth Ambassadors, REFORM Louisville, True Up, and YouthBuild Louisville [...]

Statement on Passage of SB 151 by Senate Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Prioritizing kinship families is prioritizing some of our most vulnerable Kentucky kids. When a child is removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, being placed with a relative or close friend helps reduce trauma and maintain connections to culture, traditions, and siblings. Today, the Senate Families and Children Committee prioritized kinship families with passage of [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 377 by the House Education Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – There’s been lots of talk around boosting teacher pay, keeping teachers in the classroom, and giving teachers the recognition they deserve for not only educating our youngest Kentuckians but also supporting their students’ well-being as they grow into thriving adults. One big piece of the conversation that has consensus across the board – supporting the student-teacher pipeline. [...]

By |2024-02-06T08:28:27-05:00February 6th, 2024|Bloom Kentucky, Economic Security, Education, News Room|

Youth Voice: “My first encounter with vaping took place over five years ago in the 6th grade.”

The Kentucky 2024 General Assembly is well underway and legislators from around the state are considering a number of policy proposals that impact kids and families. As KYA monitors action in Frankfort, we also look to Kentucky youth to hear the issues they want to see prioritized by our state decisionmakers. A common message among young people in Kentucky – do something about the overwhelming youth access to vapes and nicotine products. Keep reading to [...]

By |2024-02-01T10:42:08-05:00February 1st, 2024|Blog, Education, Health|

Statement on Passage of the KY House Budget by the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – The revised House state budget proposal is a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is that this version strengthened support for our public schools in both categorical funding for transportation and general funding for SEEK. We continue to advocate for an elevated level of SEEK funding that both allows for broad discretionary control by local districts [...]

Youth Voice: “Working together brings the best results for kids like me and communities like mine.”

By Amelia Williams, member for the Health Youth Ambassadors Amelia shared the following speech as the opening of the 2024 Rally for Kentucky Kids in the Rotunda at the 20th annual Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol.  Good morning and welcome everyone to the Kentucky State Capitol for the 20th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day. My name is Amelia Williams and I am a Junior from Graves County and a member of the Health Youth Ambassadors [...]

Governor Beshear and House and Senate Leadership Join Hundreds of Youth and Advocates for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Frankfort, KY – With the 2024 Kentucky legislative session well underway in Frankfort, advocates across the Commonwealth are joining together to lift kids’ voices during Children’s Advocacy Week. They are advocating for the state budget and policy priorities addressed in the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children to elected leaders.  Today is Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, where community organizations, professionals who work with kids and families, and young people from [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 275 by the House Education Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky students deserve safe environments in which to learn that are free from abuse, with appropriate adults, and that promote their well-being. Today, the House Education Committee reaffirmed their commitment to that imperative with passage of House Bill 275, championed by Chairman James Tipton. HB 275 mandates that public schools, charter schools, and certified nonpublic schools cannot [...]

By |2024-02-02T15:02:18-05:00January 23rd, 2024|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

A Look at SB 34 and Potential Impact on Kentucky Families

Pregnancy and early childhood is considered a special time in life. However, any new parent will tell you it is also an expensive time. The cost of giving birth, caring for a new child, and child care can often be more than new parents make.  To address the financial challenges that new parents face, Senator Whitney Westerfield introduced Senate Bill 34. This legislation contains a multitude of provisions that provide for the basic health and [...]

Statement on the Kentucky House 2024 State Budget Proposal

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As is the case in every proposed budget, there is much to celebrate and also issues of deep concern when it comes to the Kentucky House 2024 State Budget proposal. This budget certainly places a priority on infrastructure issues like bridges, roads, and water supply, and who can argue with any of those commitments? However, this budget [...]

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