This post originally appeared as an op-ed in the Courier Journal November 19, 2020. Jyoti Arora in You Came Like Hope asserts, “it takes only a moment for the destiny to flip over.” The haunting message emanating from the 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book is that far too many boys and girls in the Commonwealth had their destiny flip the moment they were born. Because of the zip code in which they live. Because of [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book: A Look at the Impacts of the “Dual Pandemics” on Kentucky Children and Families Featuring the latest county-level data for key measure of child well-being Louisville, KY – The 2020 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book examines the impacts of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racial injustice on children and families with data disaggregated by race/ethnicity. The 30th edition of this [...]
By Kayce Dallas, MSSW Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates “Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of giving the world the rest of you." The first thing my mom asks when I call and complain to her how stressed I am is, “did you take time for yourself today?” I often forget how important it is to take care of myself. I am a full-time student getting my masters degree in Social [...]
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Dr. Joe Bargione of the Bounce Coalition led us through a self-care workshop to help us maintain the energy we need to continue our advocacy on behalf of Kentucky kids. As advocates battle the pandemic, support the community, experience personal and professional uncertainty, and sift through election news, it is important that we continue to care for ourselves. Watch a video recording of the presentation, view the [...]
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss substance use amidst COVID-19, the intersection of trauma and substance use, and how state policies and budget investments can best respond and prevent substance use, especially for families with children. Panelists included Toya Gatewood, Clinical Manager at the Morton Center; Carolina Glover, Case Manager for the Daviess Circuit Court, Family Division; and Tiffany Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Volunteers of America Mid-States. Register to join [...]
By Emily Burden and Kayce Dallas, MSSW interns at Kentucky Youth Advocates Trauma has no boundaries. A baby who grew up with domestic violence in their home has experienced a traumatic event. A child who has been sexually abused has experienced a traumatic event. A youth who survived a severe hurricane has experienced a traumatic event. Because trauma can impact anyone, it is important that we approach individuals with a trauma-informed care lens. It's also important [...]
This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on families experiencing domestic violence, including the complex dynamics within families, how neighbors and professionals can help, and resources available for survivors. Panelists included Teshanna Brown, Director of Domestic Violence Services for Center for Women and Families; Arlene Grullon, Director of Emergency Shelter for Center for Women and Families; Olivia Spradlin, Senior Program Specialist with Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and [...]
This was originally posted as an op-ed by the Courier Journal, Herald Leader, Kentucky Today, and NKY Tribune. By Dr. Laura Hancock Jones, Dr. Christina Howard, and Keith Inman In the last seven months, Kentuckians have heard a lot about how, even in these unprecedented times of physical distancing, we can come together to help protect our family and neighbors from the spread of COVID-19 and stay connected so no one feels alone. Dr. Christina Howard As [...]
The actress Andie MacDowell observes what we all know. She suggests, “We've become such a multitasking society that just paying attention to the road doesn't seem to be that important anymore. I have to remind my kids all the time that that's what you're supposed to be doing in the car.” MacDowell’s assertion is surely true when it comes to parents and paying attention to the road of home life. In this pandemic, working remotely, [...]
February 26, 2021 update: find the latest P-EBT information in this post. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, food security continues to be a top priority for many Kentucky families. Last school year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved Pandemic-EBT to allow families of Kentucky students to receive money for groceries to replace meals missed at school due to distance learning during the pandemic. The USDA has now approved Kentucky to provide Pandemic-EBT to students [...]
