Making Kids Count

Terry Brooks shares Kentucky's measurable, but still inadequate, improvements in child well-being as highlighted in Annie E. Casey Foundation's latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, how this data can be used as a guidepost as advocates and decision makers thoughtfully move forward from the immense and disparate impacts of the pandemic, and recommendations to expand opportunities for all Kentucky...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the challenges of parents/caregivers returning to work and how employers and state systems can best support those parents. Panelists included Clanisha Coleman, Shawnee Club Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana; Bill Londrigan, President of Kentucky AFL-CIO; and Ashli Watts, President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This i...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our conversation on the future of K-12 education amidst the pandemic with the Kentucky Board of Education, including Chair, Dr. Lu Young, and member Patrice McCrary. They discuss the considerations for the 2020-21 school year, commitments to addressing inequities within the education system, the Kentucky Department of Education commissioner searc...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks reflects on current events, confronting racism, and Kentucky Youth Advocates' recommitment to focusing on the impact of systemic racism on public policy and listening and learning from impacted communities. We also discuss the reopening of child care across Kentucky, including the anticipated impact on child care providers, families, and b...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our conversation on K-12 education with advocates from across the state, including Penny Christian, president of the 16th District PTA in Lexington; Dr. Elizabeth Dinkins, Dean of the Bellarmine University School of Education; Brent McKim, President of the Jefferson County Teachers Association; and, Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, Executive Director of the O...

Terry Brooks was joined this week on an Advocate Virtual Forum by Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, who also serves as the Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, to discuss the future of education and workforce–and more. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kentucky kids and the system...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Nikki Thornton, Director of Program Operations at True Up, and Tia Humphrey, a member of the Voices of the Commonwealth. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting young people in or transitioning out of foster care and the supports they need to stay healthy and safe during this time. Join a virtual support group with VOC members every Friday at 3 PM CT...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Abby Drane, President & CEO of Seven Counties Services and Bellewood & Brooklawn, and Dale Suttles, president of Sunrise Children’s Services. They discuss how their organizations have adjusted to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and ways they are helping the youth in their care and the families they serve cope with stress and trauma. This is part o...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Caywood and Dr. Jay Miller, Dean of the UK College of Social Work. They discuss the priorities of DCBS during the pandemic, the importance of self-care and wellness of those in the helping professions, and how practices within the child welfare system will be impacted as the co...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Senator Gerald Neal to reflect on the 2020 legislative session, areas in which Kentucky must continue work for kids, and what to look forward to as the Commonwealth begins COVID-19 recovery efforts. Listen to Terry Brooks' reflections on the final state budget and 2020 wins for kids in our April 21st episode. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky You...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade to reflect on wins for kids and families in the 2020 legislative session, areas in which Kentucky leaders must dig deeper for kids, and what to look forward to in 2021 as the Commonwealth begins COVID-19 recovery efforts. Listen to Terry Brooks' reflections on the final state budget and 2020 wins for kids in ou...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Pam Darnall, president and CEO of Family and Children's Place in Louisville, and Tammy Weidinger, president and CEO of the Brighton Center in Northern Kentucky. They discuss the critical services Kentucky's Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) home visiting program provides, current disruptions to the service for many Kentucky families,...

Terry Brooks reflects on the 2020 Kentucky General Assembly, the final state budget as it pertains to children’s issues, and wins for kids despite the unprecedented times we're experiencing. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate !

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Veronica Cecil, Vice President for Policy at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and former Deputy Commissioner in the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, Dr. Julia Richerson, pediatrician practicing at Family Health Centers Iroquois in Louisville, and Dr. Nikki Stone, Dental Director at the UK North Fork Valley Community Health Center in Hazard. They d...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Mike Hammons, vice president of advocacy at Learning Grove, and Dr. Sarah Vanover, director of Kentucky's Division of Child Care, to discuss the realities facing the child care sector, what federal investments are still needed to support child care centers, and information for families on setting realistic expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child ca...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Brigitte Blom Ramsey, president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, to discuss the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's learning and the K-12 sector. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kentucky kids and the systems that influence th...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Deb Stein of the Partnership for America's Children and Doug Scoffield of Volunteers of America Mid-States to dive deeper into the federal supports recently passed by Congress and how those will impact the lives of Kentucky families and the businesses that serve them. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term imp...

Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Dr. Joe Bargione. Dr. Bargione is a licensed psychologist and a member of the Bounce Coalition's leadership team. During this podcast, both will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kids and families, as well as tips and resources to cope with and overcome trauma related to a public health crisis. This is the first episode of a series of conversat...

On this special episode, Terry Brooks reflects on the Kentucky Senate state budget proposal as it pertains to children’s issues, discusses priorities we hope to see as the legislature enters conference committee, and outlines what to expect in the budget process in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children budget priorities. Support this podcast with a...

Terry Brooks sits down with Senator Reginald Thomas, who is a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Child Welfare Oversight and Advisory Committee, in Frankfort to discuss state budget decisions, criminal justice reforms, improvements within the child welfare system, and more. NOTE: This podcast was taped prior to the increased severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay up-to-date on state...

Terry Brooks sits down with Representative Angie Hatton, who is the Minority Whip of the Kentucky House, in Frankfort to discuss the parallel needs of urban and rural Kentuckians, ongoing budget decisions, criminal justice reform efforts, and more. Stay up-to-date on state policies that are good for kids on our bill tracker at kyyouth.org. Note: This episode was taped prior to Kentucky House passa...

On this special episode, Terry Brooks reflects on the Kentucky House state budget proposal as it pertains to children’s issues, discusses elements in which we hope to see further investment in kids as it moves to the Senate, and outlines what to expect in the budget process in the final weeks of the Kentucky General Assembly. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children budget priorities...

Terry Brooks sits down with Senator David Givens, who is President Pro Tempore of the Kentucky Senate, in Frankfort to discuss ongoing efforts to improve school accountability and assessment measures, state budget decisions, and more. Stay up-to-date on state policies that are good for kids on our bill tracker at kyyouth.org. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth....

Terry Brooks sits down with Senator Max Wise, who chairs the Education Committee for the Kentucky Senate, in Frankfort to discuss ongoing efforts to improve school safety, changes in school accountability and assessment measures, state budget decisions, and more. Stay up-to-date on state policies that are good for kids on our bill tracker at kyyouth.org. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentuck...

Terry Brooks is joined by Betty (BJ) Adkins and Dr. David Finke -- both members of the Bounce Coalition leadership team -- to discuss the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Kentucky kids, the role of trauma-informed care practices in building stronger communities, and the important work of the Bounce Coalition. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/don...