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Recent Updates 
09/01/2010
Sign On to Be a Partner in the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2011 Agenda
In July 2010 Kentucky Youth Advocates gathered feedback from over 150 stakeholders regarding proposed agenda items for the 2011 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and found overwhelming support. The 2011 agenda is now finalized, and your renewed commitment is critical to moving these items forward.
Please sign on in support of the 2011 Blueprint agenda items. You have several options for signing on: print the form and fill it out, fill the form out online, or use this fillable PDF. Consider forwarding and distributing the sign-on form to your networks, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to further promote the 2011 Blueprint agenda.
08/31/2010
2010 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book
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Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates releases the 2010 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book. The 20th edition of the book focuses on fifteen indicators of economic well-being and gives a glimpse into the effects of the national recession on children and families in the Commonwealth. Press Release (pdf) 2010 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book (pdf) Order the 2010 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book here. |
08/31/2010
Do KIDS COUNT in the Louisville Mayor's Race?
Find out how the children of Jefferson County are faring and what the Louisville mayoral candidates plan to do about it at a local release of the 2010 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, on September 9, 2010.
Join Greg Fischer (D), Jackie Green (I), and Hal Heiner (R) for a moderated discussion on what the new KIDS COUNT data means for the Louisville metro region, and how they would better the lives of children and families if elected in November. Find more information and RSVP to attend.
08/19/2010
July Food Stamp Participation Jumps Another 1 Percent
After a slight decrease in April, food stamp participation increased three months in a row, peaking again in July. This data point indicates the level of need for government assistance. Many Kentuckians are relying on this important support during the recession in the midst of persistently high unemployment.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
08/19/2010
Discouraged Kentucky Workers Continue Dropping out of Labor Force
The Kentucky unemployment rate dropped to 9.9 percent in July. Much of the decrease in unemployment comes from an overall reduction in the workforce – many people are becoming discouraged and no longer looking for work, according to Chief Labor Market Analyst, Justine Detzel, from Office of Employment and Training.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
08/12/2010
Get the Facts about Complete Streets in Kentucky
Why does Kentucky need complete streets? What are the benefits? Where is it being done? The Kentucky Safe Routes to School Network answers all these questions and more in their new fact sheet, "Complete Streets: Venues for Wellness in Kentucky."
Fact Sheet (pdf)
08/10/2010
Kentucky's July Revenue up 4.6 Percent
Moderately improved state revenue collections for July indicate that Kentucky is recovering slowly from the national recession. This slow recovery will not likely be enough to restore recent cuts in spending for the next two year.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
08/05/2010
Recession Impacts Children and Families in 2010-2012 Budget Session
Kentucky Youth Advocates releases a report today, "Recession Impacts Children and Families in 2010-2012 Budget Session," which documents the effect of recent budget cuts on sectors of the state budget affecting children and families.
Report (pdf)
07/28/10
June Food Stamp Participation Jumps 1 Percent
The number of people receiving food stamps in June increased by about 8,000, since May 2010. Participation is significantly higher than it was at the start of the recession, with over 155,000 more people using food stamps to purchase food compared to January 2008.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
07/27/10
Kentucky is 40th in KIDS COUNT Ranking of Child Well-Being
Kentucky ranks 40th in the nation in over-all child well-being according to the national 2010 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The annual publication uses the best available data to measure the educational, social, economic, and physical well-being of children in each state.
2010 KIDS COUNT Data Book (pdf) | Kentucky State Profile (pdf) | Press Release (pdf)
07/26/10
Complete the 2011 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Survey
Please complete the 2011 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Survey to give your input into the priorities for the 4th year, to evaluate past Blueprint efforts and begin planning for the 2012 legislative session. This survey could take approximately 20 minutes.
Click here for the survey. Please complete by Monday, August 9, 2010.
07/22/10
Statement by Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates: Kentucky’s Families and Children will Benefit from Extension of Jobless Aid
Kentuckians experiencing long-term unemployment will receive much needed help after Congress showed great leadership by moving to add extra weeks of jobless benefits, originally provided by the Recovery Act.
Statement (pdf)
07/16/2010
June Unemployment Rate Drops to 10 percent
Unemployment continues to show some signs of improvement, dropping to 10 percent in June. This is the lowest rate in 16 months and is 0.8 percentage points lower than June of last year. Still, the rate is 4.4 percentage points higher than January 2008, when the recession began in Kentucky.
Kentucky Economic Watch (pdf)
06/16/10
New county-level juvenile justice data available for Kentucky on the KIDS COUNT Data Center
New juvenile justice data for 2009 is available on the KIDS COUNT Data Center -- the source for information about the kids and families living in your community.
You can access the most up-to-date and historical data for the following indicators: youth charged with public offenses, youth charged with status offenses, youth successfully diverted from the juvenile justice system, youth referred by petition to the court system, youth detained in a secure detention facility, youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, and youth probated.
05/28/10
Detrimental Budget Cuts Will Stall Kentucky’s Progress
Last Friday, the General Assembly came to an agreement on a state budget for 2011 and 2012 that includes widespread cuts. In many ways, this session has been about a few wise investments and many lost opportunities.
Statement (pdf)
05/21/2010
2010 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings Announced
To coincide with Bike to Work Day and Bike to Work Week, the League of American Bicyclists announced the third annual Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) rankings. Kentucky ranked 22nd this year, compared to 27th in 2009 and 29th in 2008.
Press Release (pdf)
05/17/10
Reading by the End of Third Grade Declared a National Priority
The Annie E. Casey Foundation and a range of partners are focusing attention on the critical importance of achieving grade-level reading proficiency for all children by the end of third grade. The ability to read is central to a child’s success in school, life-long earning potential, and ability to contribute to the nation’s economy and its security.
This new national emphasis on reading success is introduced by a special KIDS COUNT report, Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters.
04/26/10
Congress Debates Expiration of Tax Cuts - Competing Approaches Would Have Very Different Impacts on Kentuckians
Tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 during President George W. Bush’s administration are set to expire at the end of this year, sparking debate in Congress over different approaches to federal tax policy. The Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for Tax Justice analyzed the two different approaches being debated and found significant differences in how each approach would impact Kentuckians.
Read more (pdf)
04/23/10
Kentucky's 2010 General Assembly: How did Children and Families Fare?
The 2010 General Assembly adjourned last week on April 15. While the session was overshadowed by negotiations over how to fill a $1.5 billion gap between what the state needs to fulfill the needs of Kentuckians and available revenues, we did see both wins and important progress on key issues for children and families. On others, there was a notable lack of progress. See a re-cap of children’s bills of interest below.
General Assembly Summary (pdf)
04/13/10
50- State Report: Kentucky Government Spending is Most Transparent
Kentucky received the top grade for openness of government spending, according to FOLLOWING THE MONEY: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” a national report released on Tuesday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Report | Press Release (pdf)
03/24/10
What does health reform mean for children and families in Kentucky?
Health reform is a major victory for Kentucky children and families. It delivers what families need: affordable, reliable health coverage that won’t disappear if they lose a job or get sick.
Read more (pdf)
03/02/10
Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Video Now Available
Thanks to all of you who joined us for the 6th Annual Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol last month!
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We started the day with a rally which unveiled The Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children, a common agenda for kids – through the voices of child advocates from all across Kentucky in a 10 minute video. The video includes Kentuckians in all walks of life – doctors, teachers, public health experts, elected officials, members of the military, |
seniors, and kids – and each one of them have the same vision – a Kentucky that is the best place to be young.
You can now view the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Video online, and embed it into your own website.