The 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book, released by Kentucky Youth Advocates on Wednesday, presents a comprehensive look at 16 measures of child well-being. This new interactive County Data Dashboard at www.kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/ offers detailed data for every Kentucky county. Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, emphasizes the importance of this data, stating that it allows advocates and decision makers to assess the progress of children and families. The 34th edition of the Data Book also delves into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the power of supportive community environments.

Key Highlights and Recommendations

Safe, Affordable Housing

Kentucky needs to invest in affordable and rural housing trust funds to increase the supply and quality of housing. This includes removing environmental hazards like lead paint to ensure the safety of children. For example, in certain counties, the lack of affordable housing has led to overcrowded conditions, which can have a negative impact on a child's well-being. By providing more housing options, we can give children a stable living environment.

Mentorship

Schools, community-based organizations, and faith-based institutions should integrate mentoring into their programs. This provides youth and young adults with positive role models and guidance. In some communities, mentorship programs have shown significant improvements in a child's self-esteem and academic performance. By increasing access to mentors, we can help children navigate through challenging times and make better decisions.

Health Care Access

Incentives should be created for health care providers to work in underserved communities and accept Medicaid patients. Co-locating services in places where families already are makes it more convenient for them to access care. For instance, in rural areas where there is a shortage of health care providers, having these services nearby can save lives. By improving health care access, we can address the health needs of children and prevent future health issues.

Kinship Care

If a child cannot stay in their home of origin, relative and fictive kin care placements should be prioritized. Kinship caregivers need more supports, such as financial assistance, respite support, and mentoring. In some cases, kinship care has been a successful alternative to foster care, as it allows children to stay connected to their extended families. By providing these supports, we can ensure that children in kinship care receive the care they need.Overall, Kentucky's over 1 million children saw improvement in 11 of the 16 child well-being indicators compared to their baseline data. However, there is still room for improvement in areas such as child poverty, food insecurity, and educational attainment. By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards making Kentucky the best place in America for children to grow up healthy and safe.