Making Kids Count

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we recap the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly with state Senator Reginald Thomas (D-Lexington) and Senator Whitney Westerfield (R-Crofton).

View the Bill Tracker to see the final status of 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids. Check out our blog for a recap of wins for kids in the 2021 legislative session at kyyouth.org.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect, including building protective factors and a two-generation approach to mitigate parental trauma. Thank you to our panelists, including Melissa Goins, Director of the Kentucky Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers; Julia Goodman, Family Resource Center Coordinator with Kenton County Schools; Tonya Jernigan, LCSW with the UK Department of Pediatric Forensic Medicine; and, Emily Keely with the Kentucky Strengthening Families program.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month -- check out resources from the Kosair Charities' Face It Movement for tips and information on preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect in the commonwealth at faceitmovement.org.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss updates to Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for Kentucky families. The P-EBT benefit has been extended for October 2020-June 2021, but this round of benefits will be administered differently than previous rounds. Thank you to our panelists: Jason Dunn, Director of the DCBS Division of Family Support, Karena Cash, Advocacy Coordinator with Feeding Kentucky, and Karina Barillas, Executive Director of La Casita Center. Check out this FAQ document from DCBS (and in Spanish here) for more information on this round of P-EBT, as well as this blog post.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting this virtual forum. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide for Kentucky kids and their families. Thank you to our panelists: Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, Alicia Sells from Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, and Ben Reno-Weber from the Greater Louisville Project.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the next chapter of COVID-19 and K-12 schools, including how to address the practical, day-to-day concerns of students’ socioemotional needs and evolving educational environment during this transitional time. Thank you to our partner panelists: Dr. Kish Cumi Price from the Louisville Urban League, Dr. Jim Flynn from the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, and Sam Corbett from KET's Assignment Education.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss the first half of the Kentucky General Assembly, including updates on the status of bills that are good for kids and families and ways to take action, as well as an update on the state budget priorities and process.

Learn more about the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities, view our Bill Tracker, and lookup ways to contact your state legislators at kyyouth.org.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

Dr. Terry Brooks was joined by Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman during Children's Advocacy Week for a discussion about her top priorities for kids now and in a post-pandemic Kentucky. Olivia Pierce, Face It Youth Ambassador of Russell County, shares remarks and Nora Priddy shares an opening song.

This week, hundreds of youth and advocates from across Kentucky are virtually convening for Children’s Advocacy Week and urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

In place of the annual gathering in the Capitol Rotunda, advocates and state leaders tuned into the first virtual Rally for Kentucky Kids. Governor Andy Beshear, House Speaker David Osborne, and Senator Julie Raque Adams shared remarks, as well as young people from across the commonwealth.

This week, hundreds of youth and advocates from across Kentucky are virtually convening for Children’s Advocacy Week and urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children. Learn more at kyyouth.org.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss how to prepare for Children’s Advocacy Week (February 1st-5th), including reminders about events during the week and updates on key policies to discuss with legislators.

Learn more about the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities, check out our Advocacy Toolkit, view our Bill Tracker, and sign up for updates on Children’s Advocacy Week at kyyouth.org.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

This week on our Advocate Virtual Forum, we discuss updates from Part 1 of the Kentucky General Assembly, including bills filed related to kids and families, changes to the legislative session due to COVID, and an update on the state budget, as well as ways advocates can stay informed and take action throughout the legislative session.

Learn more about the 2021 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children priorities, check out our Advocacy Toolkit, view our Bill Tracker, and sign up for updates on Children's Advocacy Week at kyyouth.org.

Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate