Making Kids Count

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...

Terry Brooks sits down with Brent McKim, President of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, to discuss JCTA efforts to support educators and improve student outcomes, investments in education and school safety within the 2020 state budget, and more. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate !

Terry Brooks sits down with Senator Julie Raque Adams, the Majority Caucus Chair for the Kentucky Senate, to discuss her visit to the Whitehouse to discuss the teen vaping epidemic, 2020 state budget and revenue discussions, and other legislative priorities. 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 You...

Terry Brooks sits down with Senator Whitney Westerfield, who chairs the Judiciary Committee for the Kentucky Senate, in Frankfort to discuss ongoing reforms within Kentucky's criminal justice and youth justice systems as well as the intersection of those systems with the child welfare system. Since the taping of this episode, Senate Bill 87 has passed the Kentucky Senate. Stay up-to-date on s...

Terry Brooks is joined by Ashli Watts, President and CEO for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Jason Bailey, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, and Brigitte Blom Ramsey, the Executive Director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, for a conversation on Governor Andy Beshear's state budget proposal and key areas to focus on as budget and revenue dis...

Terry Brooks is joined by Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, to discuss the education components of the Governor's proposed budget and the past, present, and future reforms of Kentucky's education system. 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 Kent...

On this special episode, Terry Brooks reflects on Governor Andy Beshear's state budget proposal as it pertains to kids' issues, outlines what to expect in the budget process, and ways to stay informed as the budget advances through the Kentucky General Assembly. Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate !