Kentucky Youth Advocates

Kentucky's Child Abuse Review Panel Here to Stay, Pending Gov. Beshear's Signature

Devin Katayama — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:48:35 +0000

Kentucky’s 17-member panel currently reviewing certain child abuse cases will remain a permanent part of state accountability and child advocates say the recently-passed law creating the panel adds more transparency and accountability.

Kentucky Senate Committee Adds More Oversight to Child Fatality Review Panel Bill

Devin Katayama — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:35:29 +0000

Kentucky’s Senate Health and Welfare Committee is trying to add more oversight to a child fatality review panel in a bill approved Wednesday, but child advocates say the amendment doesn’t go far enough.

Kentucky Jailing Fewer Youth Than Before; U.S. Jailing Even Fewer, Study Says

Devin Katayama — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:49:20 +0000

Kentucky's incarceration rate for youth has decreased in the past several years—but not by as much as the national average, said an Annie E. Casey Foundation report released Wednesday.

And Kentucky and two other states are responsible for 60 percent of the nation’s juvenile incarcerations because of court order violations for status offenses—crimes applied to youth such as truancy and alcohol consumption.

Child Advocates Rally, Urge Kentucky Leaders to Restore Cut Child Care Funding

Kenny Colston — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:50:21 +0000

FRANKFORT — Advocates for Kentucky children on Thursday called for state leaders to provide funds and stave off recently announced cuts to programs that provide assistance for child care costs and to family members who take in young relatives.

Read | 2012 Kids Count County Data Book

Joseph Lord — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Kentucky Youth Advocates have released the annual 2012 Kids Count County Data Book, which offers a county-by-county breakdown of "the path that Kentucky students follow starting from birth to the transition to adulthood based on educational outcomes at each of those stages."

Among the suggestions are the implementation of a state-level earned income tax credit.

Juvenile Justice Commissioner Says Minor Offenses Shouldn't Lead to Incarceration

Kenny Colston — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:44:09 +0000

The state’s leading authority on juvenile justice says he would like to see status offenders kept out of incarceration facilities.

A status offense is something a youth gets in legal trouble for, but an adult wouldn’t. Common status offenses are running away from home or skipping school.

Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Hasan Davis says he believes status offenders shouldn’t be held in a detention center for minor offenses.

Organizations Team Up to Teach Civics Ahead of VP Debate

Kenny Colston — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:30:01 +0000

As Centre College prepares to host next month's vice presidential debate, several groups want to prepare Kentucky students for the event.

The Secretary of State and the non-profit Kentucky Youth Advocates have partnered with students from Bellarmine University to create lesson plans for Kentucky teachers. The lessons focus on basic civics and include information on political debates.

Kids Count Report: Kentucky Children Still Living in Poverty

Devin Katayama — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:02:17 +0000

A quarter of Kentucky’s children continue living in poverty, despite making gains in education and health indicators according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2012 Kids Count Data Book released this morning.

The annual report ranks overall child welfare by measuring 16 indicators in four subjects: economic well-being, family and community, health and education factors.

Report: Young Status Offenders In Kentucky's Juvenile Justice System

Devin Katayama — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

A new report by Kentucky Youth Advocates is shining light on the state's high number of incarcerated youth with low priority crimes.