Making Kids Count

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 Ohio Valley Education Cooperative. They discuss the realities of Non-Traditional Instruction, students' academic achievement, the importance of social and emotional development and emphasizing equity, and successfully supporting families as the pandemic continues to impact the Commonwealth.

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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page at kyyouth.org/covid19/ for more information.

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

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 systems that influence their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page for more information.

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

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/4 PM ET. RSVP to [email protected] for the Google Hangouts link or conference call link. Join the VOC on Instagram Live (@ky_voc) on Tuesdays at 3 pm CST/4 pm EST.

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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page at kyyouth.org for more information.

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

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 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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page at kyyouth.org for more information.

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

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 commonwealth reopens and recovers from the pandemic.

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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page at kyyouth.org for more information.

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

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 Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate

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 our April 21st episode.

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

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, and the needs of HANDS providers and the families they serve now and post-pandemic.

Families can learn more about HANDS and how to access services in their community at www.kyhands.com.

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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more. View our COVID-19 page for more information.

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

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 discuss the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy systems, what changes are needed to ensure continuity of health care, and best practices for families to access care during this time.

Families in need of food, cash assistance, or medical coverage can contact the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at www.benefind.ky.gov or by phone at 1-855-306-8959. For other COVID-19 related information or questions, visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov or call 1-800-722-5725.

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 their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more.

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