Making Kids Count

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss human trafficking and exploitation, including types of trafficking, prevalence in Kentucky, prevention and intervention strategies, and the impact of COVID-19. Panelists included Marissa Castellanos, Director of the Bakhita Empowerment Initiative at Catholic Charities of Louisville; Rebecca Sim, Director of the Immigration Legal Services at Catho...

Amy McGrath, Kentucky candidate for the U.S. Senate, joined child advocates on October 15th to discuss federal issues and solutions focused on kids, families, and strong communities. The forum was hosted by Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children, Council for Agency Executives, Kosair Charities Face It Movement, Kentucky Nonprofit Network, and Cente...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the data and health impacts of Kentucky youth tobacco use, recent policy wins to curb tobacco use among youth, and policies to consider in the 2021 Kentucky legislative session to continue improving youth health and well-being. Panelists included Bonnie Hackbarth, Vice President of External Affairs at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; Shanno...

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 Shel...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks is joined by state Representative Josie Raymond and Representative Jason Nemes to discuss paid family leave, including why that policy is important for kids, their caregivers, and the workforce, along with upcoming legislation in the 2021 session. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate !

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss child abuse prevention, including the TEN-4 bruising rule, and how the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism are impacting family safety and dynamics. Panelists include Dr. Mary Clyde Pierce, Professor of Emergency Medicine Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and co-creator of the...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss recent state enacted child care changes and the impact on families and providers. Panelists included Dr. Sarah Vanover, Director of the Kentucky Division of Child Care; June Widman, executive director, Appalachian Early Childhood Network; and Dawn Thompson, Assistant Director, and Kathy King, special projects manager, of Community Coordinated Chi...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss kinship care in Kentucky amidst COVID-19, the important role of support groups, and what advocates can do to stand up for kinship families. We also presented a new handbook for relative caregivers to use as a resource as they navigate caring for vulnerable children and understanding the complex child welfare system. View it at kinshipky.org. Pane...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss advocacy during the 2020 election and how you can engage local, state, and federal candidates around policies related to kids. Secretary of State Michael Adams explains this year's election procedures. We also present a new toolkit advocates can use to start conversations with candidates and discuss electoral advocacy best practices with John...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the trauma of the dual pandemics--COVID-19 and racial inequities--for kids and families and what schools and community organizations can do to create supportive environments that can help build resiliency. Panelists include Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy and Programming at Louisville Urban League; Raine Minichan, Interim Coordin...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we are joined by Chair of the U.S. House Budget Committee, Representative John Yarmuth for a look continued discussion around pending COVID-19 relief packages and more. View our COVID-19 Action Hub at kyyouth.org to take action on federal priorities for Kentucky kids and families. Review a comparison of provisions that support young children, their families...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we continue our discussions about priorities for kids and families as Congress debates the next federal COVID-19 relief package, including the U.S. House of Representatives' HEROES Act and the U.S. Senate's HEALS Act. To localize those ongoing federal conversations, we heard from several Kentucky leaders and advocates, including: Lisa Lee, Commissi...

COVID-19 Impacts on the Kentucky Child Welfare Community: A Public Health Crisis Meets a Vulnerable System This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we share report findings and facilitate conversations on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child welfare system. In the spring, Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with Casey Family Programs, set out to get a better understanding of how t...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks is joined by Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children, to discuss the landscape of ongoing federal advocacy needs for additional COVID-19 relief for Kentucky kids and families. 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 in...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum we discuss the challenges facing kids with special needs and their families during COVID-19, including shifting services during quarantine, increased needs within schools, preschools, and the home, and opportunities for budget investments and policy changes. Panelists include Dana Eckert, Case Manager with Seven Counties Services; Dr. Debbie Mays, Education...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks was joined by Dr. Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture; Leah Feagin, Vice President of the Kentucky School Nutrition Association; and Kate McDonald, KY Kids Eat Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky. They discuss challenges and bright spots in addressing access to nutritional, affordable food across the Commonwealth...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, advocates from across the state heard a discussion on changes in policies, practices, and systems that will advance racial equity for Kentucky kids and their families. Panelists include Karina Barillas, Executive Director of La Casita Center; Dr. Kish Cumi Price, Director of Education Policy & Programming at Louisville Urban League; Keturah Herron, Poli...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, advocates heard from three young people from Barren, Harlan, and Jefferson counties about their unique experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, how the national KIDS COUNT data is reflected in their lives, and ideas for improving outcomes for every Kentucky child. This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term impact...

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, Terry Brooks was joined by the recently appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, Marta Miranda-Straub. DCBS includes a number of human services, such as public benefits, child care, child welfare, and more. They discuss challenges and opportunities and Commissioner Miranda-Straub's priorities around trauma-informe...

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...