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Latest Data on Child Health and Poverty

Every fall, data nerds rejoice, because it means the release of the newest American Community Survey one year estimates from the Census Bureau. While the one year estimates are not as thorough as the five year estimates that are released in December, they still provide a wealth of knowledge for many topics, including demographics, income, poverty, housing, and education. These estimates can help guide legislators, community leaders, and community members toward policies that work to [...]

By |2025-09-25T14:26:15-04:00September 25th, 2025|Blog, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|
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From Interim Hearings to the 2026 State Budget: What’s Ahead for Kentucky Kids & Families

As summer winds down in Kentucky, state leaders in Frankfort are already preparing for the 2026 biennial budget session. Shortly after the 2025 legislative session concluded, lawmakers were back in action convening interim joint committees with members of both the House and Senate. The interim legislative session spanning June to December serves as an opportunity for legislators to hear presentations from various state offices on current data and program outcomes, budget requests for the next [...]

By |2025-10-07T16:04:38-04:00September 3rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Medicaid|
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Support the Health of All Kentucky Kids by Ensuring Up-to-Date Childhood Immunizations

As we welcome August, kids and families across the state are gearing up for another school year and a long list of last minute to-dos. Along with school supply shopping and soaking up the last days of summer, back to school is the perfect time to make sure your child is up to date on routine childhood immunizations. August not only welcomes students back to the classroom, it is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness [...]

By |2025-08-06T11:26:36-04:00August 6th, 2025|Blog, Health|
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From Barbecues to Budget Cuts: How the New Federal Budget Impacts Families in Kentucky

This is part of Kentucky Youth Advocates’ series on the federal landscape and the impacts on Kentucky children and families.  Along with barbecues and fireworks, the 4th of July also brought a new federal budget signed into law. Although the reconciliation package saw several versions before final passage, many of the programs we have highlighted throughout the Summer will see significant changes under the new law.   Among the largest cuts in the program's history are [...]

By |2025-07-16T13:28:48-04:00July 16th, 2025|Blog, Health, Medicaid|
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What Cuts to Child Safety Programs Could Mean for Kentucky Families

This is part of Kentucky Youth Advocates’ series on the federal landscape and the impacts on Kentucky children and families.  As Congress moves forward with this year’s federal budget, some long-standing child safety programs are facing major reductions or being eliminated altogether. While some of these cuts are still being debated in Congress, others have already gone into effect through recent executive decisions. These shifts affect the programs that help keep kids safe and supported [...]

By |2025-06-05T10:15:23-04:00June 5th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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Thursday, May 9, is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is this Thursday, May 9. Organizations throughout the country are planning events to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development from birth. Over 12 percent of children ages 2-17 in Kentucky are taking medication for ADHD, emotions, concentration or behavioral issues, compared to almost 8 percent of children ages 2-17 nationwide, according to parent responses [...]

By |2013-05-07T10:00:02-04:00May 7th, 2013|Blog, Health|
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Remember the Benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit on this Tax Day

For the last few months, I've been volunteering as a tax preparer with the Louisville Asset Building Coalition, helping individuals and families who earn less than $50,000 prepare their taxes.  I’ve seen young students filing and single, working moms who are simultaneously raising children and going to school file taxes. I’ve heard stories about individuals falling on hard times in the last few years, and met one person who was working his way out of homelessness. As families across the state and [...]

By |2013-04-15T13:09:25-04:00April 15th, 2013|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health|
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Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky: Kids Have Much to Gain

At Kentucky Youth Advocates, we ask ourselves the same question over and over when we examine issues. It’s a short and simple question: “Is it good for kids?” We strive to be the independent voice for children and that means we want the policies created and implemented by our decision makers to benefit children. Right now, our state leaders have a big decision to make on whether to expand Medicaid to low-income adults and parents [...]

By |2013-03-28T10:04:39-04:00March 28th, 2013|Blog, Health|
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New Brief Shows Kentucky Children Would Benefit from Medicaid Expansion

Jeffersontown, KY – Thousands of children could see immediate and long-term health benefits, at a small cost to the state, if Kentucky expands Medicaid to adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line starting in January 2014, according to a new issue brief from Kentucky Youth Advocates. The brief, Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky: Kids Have Much to Gain, examines the numerous family and child health benefits that result when parents have access to [...]

By |2013-03-28T00:00:35-04:00March 28th, 2013|News Room|
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