Kentucky Youth Advocates

08/30/2026

Join us in wishing a very happy birthday to all of our KYAers who celebrated their birthdays during August!

We're grateful to have you as a part of our team and appreciate your passion for making Kentucky the best place to be a kid.

Happy Birthday 🎂 to:
Karena, Data & Research Director
Sarah, Policy & Advocacy Director
Tara, Chief Impact Officer

08/29/2026

Last week, Kentucky Youth Advocates staff spent the day in the "heart of Kentucky" to connect, learn, and recommit to our shared vision for Kentucky's kids.

As we navigate the ever-changing political and social landscapes, we're stronger than ever in our commitment to making Kentucky the best place to be a kid. Learn more about our initiatives and ways you can get involved at kyyouth.org.

Special thanks to Central Kentucky Community Foundation for the use of their space!

08/28/2026

Exciting update on a 2025 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children policy priority!

The approval of freestanding birth center regulations is important progress on expanding options to care in Kentucky. These birthing centers can offer a safe and equitable alternative to hospital settings for prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.

Thank you to the Kentucky Birth Coalition, Representative Jason Nemes, and Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer for their persistence and leadership on this issue!

Freestanding birthing centers are closer to reality in Kentucky.

08/28/2026

For nearly 50 years, Kentucky Youth Advocates has worked alongside elected officials, community partners, and young people to improve outcomes for children across the state. From policy change to system reform, our mission is simple: to make Kentucky the best place in America to be a kid.

As we approach our 50th anniversary, we’re taking time to reflect and recommit to advocating for all Kentucky kids to ensure their voices are heard when making decisions in regards to their futures.

Join us on September 10th and recommit to investing in Kentucky's future - KIDS!

08/27/2026

Listen as Dr. Shannon Moody shares more insight in to yesterday's BIG WIN for Kentucky's kids! As a result of the multistate settlement with Meta, Kentucky will receive $358 million in one of the largest state consumer protection settlements in the country’s history.

Stay tuned as KYA and the Bloom Kentucky Social Media Settlement Workgroup continue to work with Attorney General Russell Coleman's Office and statewide partners to ensure that settlement dollars protect and support youth well-being and mental health, are invested across the behavioral health continuum of supports, and guarantee meaningful access to positive childhood experiences.

Read KYA's full statement : https://kyyouth.org/statement-on-the-settlement-with-meta-and-the-impact-on-kids/

08/27/2026

We're ONE WEEK out from The Kids Table: A Blueprint for Kentucky's Children Regional Convening in London with Partners for Rural Impact!

Register today to join us at the table: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kentuckyyouthadvocates/event/thekidstableinlondon/
**Lunch will be provided to registered attendees.**

Join Kentucky Youth Advocates and Partners for Rural Impact as we bring together local advocates and decision makers to discuss regional data on how kids are faring, elevate the most pressing issues impacting kids and families, and identify actionable strategies for change.

Event: The Kids Table -- A Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children Regional Convening in London
Date: Thursday September 3rd
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
Location: London Community Center

💻 Register for this convening: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kentuckyyouthadvocates/event/thekidstableinlondon/

👏 Thank you to our signature event sponsor, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and Regional Table Sponsor, Partners for Rural Impact!

📍This is one event in a series of four Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children regional convenings that will serve as a launchpad for coordinated advocacy efforts, building momentum ahead of key elections and the 2027 legislative session. Stay tuned for details on The Kids Table events in Florence, Paducah, and Elizabethtown!

08/26/2026

Kentucky kids won big today with the multistate settlement with Meta!

Dr. Shannon Moody, KYA’s executive director, said this on today’s settlement announcement:

“We are grateful to Attorney General Russell Coleman and his team for leading the charge on behalf of the Commonwealth’s kids and families and holding Meta responsible for harm caused to our young people. General Coleman’s leadership has instilled accountability and paved a way to directly address what the litigation revealed: Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that hurt children. These monies present a transformative opportunity to deeply invest in youth well-being – and Kentucky will be primed to put it to good use with intentional action and thoughtful work of elected leaders and community partners dedicated to protecting childhoods.”

Read KYA's full statement: https://kyyouth.org/statement-on-the-settlement-with-meta-and-the-impact-on-kids/

08/25/2026

Exciting team news! Join us in congratulating and welcoming back Carli Mosby-Smith, Kentucky Youth Advocates' Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives 🎉

Carli earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work. She previously interned and worked at Kentucky Youth Advocates for over 5 years and has returned to provide leadership and oversight to teams and projects that fall within KYA’s strategic initiatives portfolio. She has previous experience in youth and young adult development, trauma-informed care, policy and systems-change advocacy, and training. She is from Hawesville in Hancock County and currently lives there with her husband and 6-year-old daughter.

Carli is eager to return to KYA and work towards meaningful policy and systems change for kids and families in Kentucky.

Learn more about KYA's strategic initiatives at kyyouth.org/initiatives/.

08/21/2026

📢 SAVE THE DATE 🎉 Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol is February 25, 2027!

Kentucky kids need advocates more than ever before and we’re counting on YOU to show up for kids in 2027!

Visit kyyouth.org/caw/ to reminisce on Children's Advocacy Day 2026. Check out kyyouth.org/sponsor/ to review available sponsorship opportunities that ensure Frankfort's biggest advocacy day for kids is possible.

08/20/2026

We're looking forward to this event!

Join the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky for a FREE evening created especially for kinship caregivers. Come enjoy a meal, connect with other caregivers who understand, and learn about resources, benefits, and supports that may be available to you and your family.
📅 Thursday, September 10 | 5–6:30 p.m. CDT
📍 Logan County Cooperative Extension

Register today and bring a friend: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kinshipfamiliescoalitionofky/event/kinconnections-tworivers/

This one is for YOU, kinship caregivers. ❤️

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, cousin, or family friend who is raising a child? Maybe you stepped in unexpectedly. Maybe you’ve been doing this for years. Either way, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Join us for a FREE evening created especially for kinship caregivers. Come enjoy a meal, connect with other caregivers who understand, and learn about resources, benefits, and supports that may be available to you and your family.

📅 Thursday, September 10 | 5–6:30 p.m. CDT
📍 Logan County Cooperative Extension

In partnership with WellCare of Kentucky and Kentucky Youth Advocates.

If you’re raising a relative’s or close family friend’s child, we’d love to have you there. Register today and bring a friend: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kinshipfamiliescoalitionofky/event/kinconnections-tworivers/