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In 2023, 331 adults and children received nonresidential supportive services related to transportation, housing advocacy, legal support, therapy and more, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Kentucky determined to support its domestic violence shelters amid federal cuts

As federal Victims of Crime Act funding continues to impact Kentucky's domestic violence shelters, advocates say they are applauding lawmakers …

Kentucky certified lactation consultant and birth doula Bonnie Logsdon has been vocal in her support for House Bill 10. (Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan KY bill would expand maternal care access

In the final days of the legislative session, Kentucky Senate lawmakers could consider the "Momnibus" bill, which would increase access to critical …

Pandemic-era federal funding sustained about 2,000 child-care providers since 2020, according to the Kentucky Center on Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

KY parents say reliable, affordable child-care linked to better mental health

More parents in Kentucky are switching jobs, delaying major purchases, cutting back on essential needs, and going into debt in order to afford child …

State data show in Kentucky, more than 45% of women and around 35% of men have experienced intimate partner violence. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY domestic violence data project aims to improve services

An effort is underway in Kentucky to better collect and analyze domestic violence data, with the goal of improving the lives of survivors and their …

Firearm fatalities have now surpassed car accidents as the number one killer of U.S. children, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. (Adobe Stock)

Report ranks guns top killer of American children, teens

Gun deaths among children nationwide have increased by 87% over the past decade, while injuries and deaths from car accidents have decreased by …

Ninety three percent of U.S. kindergartners were vaccinated against measles in 2021, according to a CDC study. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Catch Up on Kids’ Immunizations During Back-to-School Season

Health experts are urging parents to check on the status of their child's vaccinations, amid pertussis and COVID-19 outbreaks among children that …

El 93% de los ni�os de guarder�a de EE.UU. fueron vacunados contra el sarampi�n en 2021, seg�n un estudio de CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Expertos: Póngase al día con las vacunas de los niños para el regreso a clases

Expertos en salud llaman a los padres a comprobar el estado de las vacunas de sus hijos, en medio de brotes de tos ferina y COVID-19, que han …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

From left: Angela Hayes, Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera and Kelly Taulbee at the Kentucky Immunization Summit held May 10. (Amber Malott)

Push to Get KY Kids Back on Track for Routine Vaccinations

Two regional pediatric immunization symposiums are being held this month in Morehead and Owensboro, where experts will share strategies to promote …

De izquierda a derecha: Angela Hayes, Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Dra. Patricia Bautista-Cervera y Kelly Taulbee en la Cumbre de Inmunizaci�n de Kentucky celebrada el 10 de mayo. (Amber Malott)<br />

Impulso para que niños de KY vuelvan a las vacunas de rutina

Este mes se celebran dos simposios regionales de inmunización pediátrica en Morehead y Owensboro, donde los expertos compartirán …

Former Kentucky foster youth Tia Humphrey now helps advocate for policies that help ensure young people leaving foster care are off to a good start as they enter adulthood. (Tia Humphrey)<br /><br />

KY Foster Youth Transitioning into Adulthood Face Resources Gap

Kentucky's former foster youth have a steeper climb into adulthood than their peers, according to new research. Among 21-year-olds with foster-care …

Around 2.5 million children in the United States live in a household with their grandparents, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers

New changes to Kentucky's temporary benefits program - known as KTAP - increase the amount of money families receive to keep pace with inflation…

Children's Advocacy Day at the Kentucky Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices on behalf of children's safety, health, education and economic well-being. (Mara Powell)

Advocacy Day Lifts Up Kentucky Kids

Child abuse reporting dropped during the pandemic, and advocates said strengthening the state's system to ensure suspected cases of child …

In 2020, more than 8,000 Kentucky children were placed in foster care. (Adobe Stock)

KY Foster Kids Say They Want Stability and Better Care

According to a new report, a significant number of the state's youths are institutionalized, not because of a need for intensive supervision but …

Bobbie Lester, residente del Condado Jefferson, Kentucky, y enfermera residente en la escuela de enfermer�a de Louisville, explica por qu� eligi� recibir la vacuna COVID-19 en una campa�a de servicio p�blico. (Adobe Stock).

Habitantes negros de Kentucky explican por qué se vacunaron, en una nueva campaña

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- "Me Vacuné Para Proteger a Mis Seres Queridos" ("I Got The Shot to Protect the Ones I Love") es una nueva campaña que …

In 2019, 65% of female inmates in Kentucky state custody were parents, according to data from Kentucky Youth Advocates. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: More KY Moms Incarcerated, with Negative Impacts on Kids

MANCHESTER, Ky. -- A new report says the number of Kentucky women, including mothers, who are incarcerated has skyrocketed. Kentucky Youth …

Nueva Coalición busca promover la Educación Informada sobre el trauma en las escuelas

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Una nueva coalición estatal quiere que las escuelas y las comunidades se enfoquen en la educación y que cuiden a los …

Census survey data finds nearly 1 in 6 Kentucky families with children said they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat in their household during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: KY Kids Face Housing, Health-Coverage, Mental-Health Challenges

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The coronavirus has surpassed heart disease as the number-one killer of Americans, and a new report finds children are especially …

Los Kentuckianos que no tengan cobertura m�dica patrocinada por su empleador, o que no califiquen para Medicaid, tienen hasta el 1 de diciembre para elegir un plan de seguro m�dico mientras est�n abiertas las inscripciones. Nadia Ramlagan tiene m�s informaci�n.

Mientras se acerca la fecha límite para inscribirse, los defensores alertan sobre los Planes “Basura” de corto plazo

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Los residentes de Kentucky cuya cobertura no es patrocinada por el patrón, o quienes no califiquen para Medicaid, tienen hasta …

Teachers and other professionals who work with children now have less opportunities to interact with them and spot signs of abuse. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Communities Key to Spotting Child Abuse During COVID-19

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- As schools shift to remote learning and child care centers remain closed, experts say community members will play a critical role …

Moms now are the equal, primary, or sole household income earners in 40% of U.S. families. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Worsens Options for Parents Living in ‘Child-Care Deserts’

COVINGTON, Ky. -- Across the state, child care centers are struggling to stay open, and it's unclear how many will shut their doors for good…

Kentucky leads the nation in cases of child abuse and neglect, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Adobe Stock)

KY Child Welfare System “Pushed to the Brink”

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The state's child welfare system is struggling to keep pace with unprecedented levels of mental distress among families, according …

The massive shift toward online learning during the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have long-term effects on kids' academic performance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: KY Ranks 27th in Education; COVID-19 Could Widen Learning Gap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- More than 65% of Kentucky's fourth-graders are less than proficient in reading, and 71% of eighth-graders are less than proficient …

According to federal data, a parent is the perpetrator in nearly 80% of substantiated cases of child maltreatment nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

KY Experts Warn Child Abuse Could Spike Amid Economic Uncertainty

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and experts say home isolation, job loss and economic uncertainty all increase the …

The United States Penitentiary Big Sandy, located near Inez, Ky., has a prison population of about 1,300 men. (Roger May)

Appalachian Communities Say Prison Jobs are "Phantom Promise'"

By Alison Stine Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the YES! Media-Kentucky News Connection Collaboration WHITESBURG, Ky. – Big …

Kentucky's rate of child abuse is more than twice the national average, according to data from the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services. (Adobe Stock)

Trainings Aim to Educate Kentuckians on Early Signs of Child Abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Training sessions on how to recognize early signs of child abuse will be held this week in Louisville and Lexington. The …

The number of children living in Kentucky increased by 7% between 1990 and 2017, according to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer KY Children Living in Poverty, Without Health Care

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fewer Kentucky children are living in poverty, according to a report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

More than 95,000 children in Kentucky are cared for by their grandparents or other relatives, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

Ceremony Shines Spotlight on Kentucky’s Grandparent Caregivers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Grandparents raising their grandchildren are being celebrated in Louisville today at the 18th Annual AARP Kentucky …

Experts say talking to your child about their bodies, body safety, and personal boundaries is key to keeping them safe from abuse. (@hjohan1213/Twenty20)

Kentucky Urged to "Face It," Reduce High Child-Abuse Numbers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Kentucky ranks number one in the country for cases of child abuse…

More than 80 percent of Kentucky children in state care live with a relative or foster family. (@5byseven/Twenty20)

More KY Foster Children Live with Families, Report Finds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - More Kentucky children in foster care are being placed with families, according to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

A new $500,000 federal grant will help more domestic violence victims in Kentucky afford safe housing. (@TatianaMara/Twenty20)

Grant Helps Domestic-Violence Survivors Counter Financial Abuse

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A shelter in Bowling Green will be able to help more women fleeing abusive relationships afford safe housing, thanks to a …

Eileen Rektenwald, who heads the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, speaks at The Ending Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Conference in Lexington. (KCADV)

KY Lawmakers Honored for Protecting Survivors of Violence

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky advocates for sexual and domestic assault survivors are gathering in Lexington to reflect on their successes of the …

Traumatic events experienced by children can haunt people as adults. (Free-Photos/Pixabay)

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Changing the Trajectory

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Children exposed to traumatizing events can suffer physically and emotionally as they grow. And a special initiative in …

In Kentucky, 96,000 kids are being raised by a non-parental relative. (Pixabay)

New Data Shows Increase in KY Kids in the Care of Relatives

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Thousands of Kentuckians open their hearts and homes to help the children of loved ones during times of crisis. And new data …

Access to childcare and housing supports can help young adult parents achieve educational and career success. (Pixabay)

"Building Up" Young KY Parents Creates Bright Future for Kids, Too

FRANKFORT, Ky. — For some of Kentucky's young adults, the already challenging transition to adulthood is complicated by becoming a parent…

Research shows meaningful relationships with both parents contributes to better outcomes for children. (Pixabay)

Poll Shows Shared Parenting Law Popular Among Kentuckians

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky became a national leader with a new law supporting shared parenting rights, and new polling shows it's a policy …

Polling shows eight in 10 Kentuckians believe the decision to get pregnant is one of the most important choices a person can make. (Pixabay)

Could Title X Changes Undermine Family Planning in KY?

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Groups are voicing concern that threats to the federal program known as Title X could undermine family-planning resources for …

Just 13 percent of moms are able to breastfeed their child six months after birth. (Pixabay)

KY Moms: U.S. Should Not Discourage Breastfeeding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Some parents are still reeling from word of the United States' opposition to a global resolution supporting breastfeeding…

Kentucky ranks 37th nationally in overall child well-being. (Pixabay)

Can Kentucky Continue Progress on Child Well-Being?

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky is building momentum when it comes to improving the lives of children. The 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today …

Victims of domestic violence often leave abusive situations strapped by debt and bad credit. (Pixabay)

KY Abuse Survivors Get Help with "Financial Empowerment"

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Some financial specialists are helping survivors of partner abuse in Kentucky learn the power of financial fitness – and …

Kentucky has the second-highest rate of child abuse and neglect in the nation. (Pixabay)

KY Groups Address Child Abuse Prevention Beyond April

FRANKFORT, Ky. — One abused child is one too many, and one month of the year focused on child abuse awareness just isn't enough for groups in …

There are more than 8,000 children in Kentucky's foster-care system. (Pixabay)

New Law a Game Changer for Kentucky Kids

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky's child-welfare system is set to get a major overhaul, which could be a game-changer for the more than 8,000 children …

An estimated one in 68 people nationally is on the autism spectrum. In Kentucky it's about 69-thousand people.(Jesper Sehested/Flickr)

Autism in Kentucky: Moving Past Mystery, into Acceptance

FRANKFORT, Ky. — April is World Autism Awareness Month. And as understanding of the disorder has increased in recent years, some advocates for …

Kentucky has the second-highest rate of children who have a parent serving time. (Daniel Vanderkin/Pixabay)

A Shared Sentence: KY Kids Suffer When Parents are in Prison

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Growing up with a mom or dad behind bars is a reality for almost 33,000 kids in Kentucky, and a report released today examines …

Kentucky ranks 44th nationally for the number of primary care physicians. (Pixabay)

KY Moves Up in Annual Health Rankings

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- An annual check-up shows the Commonwealth is making improvements in some areas of health. Kentucky moved up three spots in this …

African-American children are facing the greatest barriers to success, according to new research. (Pixabay)

Report Outlines Racial, Ethnic Disparities Among KY Kids

FRANKFORT, Ky. – During a time of intense national conversations on race and immigration, a new report reveals the barriers to success children …

Kentucky kids will learn the rules of the road during Bike to School events. (Pixabay)

Experts: Safety First as KY Kids Bike to School

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Today is National Bike to School Day, and before millions of kids in Kentucky and other states rush out the door, safety advocates …

Big legislative wins for victims who seek and access protections through Kentucky's network of domestic violence programs, including this one in central Kentucky. (Greg Stotelmyer)

KY Lawmakers Approve Leasing Protections for Domestic Violence Victims

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A new Kentucky law removes a barrier that victims of domestic violence often face when making the difficult decision to leave …

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KY: Family/Father Issues