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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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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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What’s at Stake Federally for Kentucky Kids?

By Chase Pasarella, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates, and the KYA Policy Team As we move toward the final days of the Kentucky legislative session, the federal government has also been busy negotiating a budget bill. Late last week, Congress passed a continuation budget that funds government programs and offices at mostly current levels through September 2025.  Since taking office in January, the Trump Administration and leaders in Congress have made it clear that priority [...]

By |2025-03-17T17:01:51-04:00March 17th, 2025|Blog, Economic Security, Education, Health, Kids Count, Medicaid|
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Reminder – Upcoming Medicaid Managed Care Forums Hosted by Cabinet

As part of Governor Steve Beshear’s emphasis on enhanced education efforts related to Medicaid managed care, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has scheduled forums for health care providers in each of the eight Medicaid regions during May and June. Senior officials from CHFS will attend the session, including Cabinet Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes, Medicaid Commissioner Lawrence Kissner, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Stephanie Mayfield Gibson and Behavioral Health Commissioner Stephen Hall. The forums [...]

By |2013-05-30T08:34:04-04:00May 30th, 2013|Blog, Health|
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Kentucky’s Health Benefit Exchange Website – Kynect – Launches

Governor Beshear recently announced the launch of Kentucky's Healthcare Connection - kynect. This is Kentucky’s Health Benefit Exchange created under the Affordable Care Act. Beginning October 1, kynect will allow individuals, families, and businesses to compare and select insurance plans and to find out if they qualify for programs like Medicaid or Kentucky’s Children Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). The website provides some basic, introductory information about kynect including a fact sheet for families. Help will [...]

By |2013-05-23T09:18:38-04:00May 23rd, 2013|Blog, Health|
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Cabinet Hosting Medicaid Managed Care Forums Across KY – Eastern KY Forums this Week!

Governor Beshear has directed the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to initiate enhanced educational efforts to improve the Medicaid managed care implementation system. At the Governor’s request, CHFS will sponsor educational forums in each of the eight Medicaid regions. These forums are designed to allow medical providers, managed care organization (MCO) representatives, and Department of Insurance (DOI) representatives to meet face-to-face to discuss concerns about proper billing, appeals processes and any specific regional [...]

By |2013-05-06T09:54:39-04:00May 6th, 2013|Blog, Health|
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New Ad Campaign Calls for Medicaid Expansion in Kentucky

Today, Kentucky Voices for Health (KVH) launched a new ad campaign asking Gov. Steve Beshear to expand Medicaid to adults and parents up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level under the Affordable Care Act. Listen to the ad below. Kentucky Youth Advocates is a proud member of KVH. Join us in asking Governor Beshear to take this opportunity to improve the health of Kentucky’s children and families. There are many reasons to expand Medicaid. [...]

By |2013-04-30T11:11:41-04:00April 30th, 2013|Blog, Health|
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Children Need Love, Support, and Better Federal Policies

Seemingly every week or month, there is new research about how poorly children are faring in the United States. In a New York Times op-ed last week “The Kids Are (Not) All Right,” Charles Blow highlighted a report from Unicef – “Child Well-Being in Rich Countries.” The United States ranks the worst among wealthy nations for child well-being and ranks particularly poorly on child poverty, being overweight, and “life satisfaction.” Meanwhile, President Obama released his [...]

By |2013-04-24T15:17:44-04:00April 24th, 2013|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health|
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