Making Kids Count

Guest host Mara Powell talks with Dr. Shannon Moody, KYA’s new executive director. They discuss what led Shannon to KYA, her reflections on the challenges and opportunities in child advocacy, and her hopes and vision for the podcast and the organization, especially as KYA embarks on its 50th year in 2027. 

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by three community leaders and experts to discuss youth mental health and the impacts of social media. Guests include state Representative Kim Moser of Kenton County, Sarah Kidder, Executive Director of the Kentucky Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, and Dr. Amy Brausch, a licensed clinical psychologist and scholar with the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research at Western Kentucky University. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. Learn more about Bloom Kentucky at kyyouth.org/bloom. 

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Shannon Moody is joined by three statewide child advocacy partners to reflect on themes, wins, and challenges of the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly and the impact on children and families. Guests include Nickie Jones, Executive Director of Family Enrichment Center, Inc. in Bowling Green, Liz McQuillen, Chief Policy Officer at Metro United Way in Louisville, and Shane Noem, President of Roebling Solutions and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member from Northern Kentucky.

Check out KYA's Bill Breakdown on Kids and Budget Breakdown on Kids blogs at kyyouth.org.

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Guest host Alicia Whatley is joined by three leaders for a conversation on the current state of child nutrition in Kentucky. Guests include Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, state Senator Jason Howell, and Stephanie Utley, Director of School Nutrition at LaRue County Schools and President of the Kentucky School Nutrition Association.Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.or...

Terry Brooks is joined by state Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball to discuss the Office of the Ombudsman's recent report on foster children in Nontraditional Placements (NTP) across the Commonwealth, such as Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) offices, state parks, and hotels.Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by Jane Herms, president and CEO of Family Nurturing Center in NKY; Sonja Grey, executive director of ECHO; and Laura Wills-Coppelman, co-founder of ICKY Schools. This panel of advocates discuss several bills being considered by the General Assembly to address and prevent child sexual abuse and grooming. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2026 priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Learn more about the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement at faceitabuse.org. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to le...

On March 4th, youth, advocates, and leaders from across the Commonwealth joined Kentucky Youth Advocates for the 2026 Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol and the first ever Town Hall on Kentucky Kids. In addition to remarks from a young person and adult advocates, attendees heard a conversation with a panel of state legislative leaders, including Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, House Speaker David Osborne, and Senate Minority Whip Cassie Chambers Armstrong. Event details and more at kyyouth.org/CAW. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to...

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by three community leaders to discuss the importance of meeting families’ basic needs in efforts to mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the intersection with Bloom Kentucky’s state policy priorities. Guests include Lacy Boling, Executive Director, Paducah Cooperative Ministries; Sara Hemingway, Executive Director, Marilyn and William Young Foundation in Owensboro; and Timothy Johnson, President and CEO of the Greater Clark Foundation in Winchester. Learn more about Bloom Kentucky at https://kyyouth.org/bloom/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to lear...

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by the Chairs of the Families and Children Committees, Senator Danny Carroll and Representative Samara Heavrin, to discuss the foci of their respective committees this session, including child care, child welfare, and child safety. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2026 priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

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Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by Representative Stephanie Dietz and Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover to discuss child welfare courts, quality legal representation, and the 2026 state legislative session. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2026 priorities at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Check out the Strengthening Legal Representation for Kentucky Families issue brief at kyyouth.org/publications/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

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Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by Shane Noem, a Republican lobbyist from Northern Kentucky with Roebling Solutions and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member, Jared Smith, partner at the government and public relations firm Piper Smith based in Lexington, and Alicia Whatley, KYA’s Senior Policy and Advocacy Director. They discuss what to expect in the 2026 legislative session, including priorities impacting kids, state budget considerations, and the realities facing the Kentucky General Assembly. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2026 priorities and more at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the...

Terry Brooks shares reflections on the 2025 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard, including trends of the latest child well-being data in economic security, education, health, and family and community. Additionally, Shannon Moody is joined by members of the Make America Health Again Kentucky Taskforce, Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Adam Moore. They discuss the taskforce’s focus on child nutrition and food access and priority areas for the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly. Learn more about the Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Dashboard at kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit Ae...

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by Dr. Wendy Ellis, the Founding Director of the Center for Community Resilience at George Washington University, researcher and assistant professor, Dr. Courtnee Melton-Fant, as well as Barry Allen of The Gheens Foundation and Hannah Edelen with Bloom Kentucky. They discuss the latest report from KYA and Bloom Kentucky titled: The Economic Impact of ACEs in Kentucky and implications and opportunities as we look to Kentucky’s 2026 state budget session. Learn more at bloomky.org. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to...

Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus on Children, and Alicia Whatley, Senior Policy & Advocacy Director at Kentucky Youth Advocates. The advocates discuss the “Make America Healthy Again” movement – nationally and in Kentucky – and the impact on child health and well-being. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

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Terry Brooks is joined by Dr. Marty Pollio, former superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and incoming president of Ivy Tech Community College, to discuss the state of K-12 education, reflections from his time at JCPS, and opportunities for all community members to continue supporting kids in school settings. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.or...

Terry Brooks is joined by Larry Craig, Executive Committee member of the Kosair for Kids Board of Directors and owner of Craig & Landreth Cars; Dr. Jerry Rabalais, member of the Kosair for Kids Advisory Council and Emeritus Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville; and Dr. Shannon Moody, Chief Policy & Strategy Officer at Kentucky Youth Advocates and lead of the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement.They discuss the state of state on child maltreatment and fatalities, a continued focus on going upstream in prevention efforts, and Face It's efforts to encourage everyone to play a...

Guest host Alicia Whatley is joined by three Kentucky young people: Phoenix Berry, a member of KYA’s 2025 Housing Policy Ambassadors cohort from Lexington; Kiera Dunk, 10th grade student and child abuse prevention advocate from Oldham County; and, Griffin Nemeth, the Youth Advisory Board Coordinator for the #iCANendthetrend program at the University of Kentucky. They discuss their advocacy journeys and share their tips for other young people wanting to make an impact in their community or at the state level. Find KYA's full KYGA25 session recap blog and details on the April 29th Blueprint webinar at kyyouth.org/blueprintky/. Thank yo...

Guest host Cortney Downs is joined by state Representative Nick Wilson, Amanda Hall of Dream.org, and Sarah Durand of KYFREE for a discussion on House Bill 291, known as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. They dive into the impact of parental incarceration on children, communities, and the state economy. HB 291 is a Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priority bill that would require the courts to consider alternative sentencing options -- such as vocational training, mental health services, or outpatient substance use treatment -- for those who have committed a non-violent offense and are the primary caregiver to a dependent ch...

Terry Brooks and Alicia Whatley are joined by state Senator Jimmy Higdon and Delanie Crump, a high school freshman from Boyd County, for a discussion on the state of youth vaping in Kentucky. They also discuss the impact Senate Bill 100 could have on holding retailers accountable for selling nicotine and tobacco products to youth under age 21 and ultimately curbing youth vaping in the Commonwealth. SB 100 is a Blueprint for Kentucky's Children priority bill focused on enforcing the Tobacco-21 law and is currently awaiting action by the Kentucky House of Representatives. Find more information on SB 100 and how to take action...

Terry Brooks is joined by members of Kentucky Youth Advocates' policy team - Shannon Moody, Alicia Whatley, and Cortney Downs - to share updates on Blueprint for Kentucky's Children 2025 policy priorities and insights on the Frankfort landscape and the impact on kids' issues. Find details on each of the bills discussed at kyyouth.org/bill-tracker/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

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Terry Brooks is joined by Kentucky's Attorney General Russell Coleman to discuss his office's role in convening diverse stakeholders on issues impacting kids and families, as well as ongoing efforts around the Opioid Settlement Fund, protecting kids online, and a substance use prevention campaign targeting youth. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Terry Brooks is joined by Kelly Pullen, Executive Director of the Aetna Better Health® of Kentucky's Supporting Kentucky Youth (SKY) program. We hear more about the long term impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the role Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) has in mitigating adversity. Terry and Kelly also reflect on the SKY program's ACEs prevention and intervention efforts and how all Kentuckians can play a role in preventing adversity and promoting resilience building among children. Aetna Better Health of Kentucky is the signature sponsor of the 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book and the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.c...

Terry Brooks shares reflections on the first week of the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, updates on Blueprint for Kentucky's Children policy priorities, and a call to action for advocates to speak up for kids throughout the short state legislative session. Find advocacy information and resources at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Terry Brooks is joined by state Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball to discuss her roles as state Treasurer and Auditor. They also dive into the office of the Auditor's recent efforts that will impact some of Kentucky's most vulnerable kids: the successful transition of the Office of the Ombudsman, the ongoing assessment of Senate Bill 151 to support kinship families, and the ongoing investigation into incidents of children in foster care sleeping in DCBS offices. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health...

Terry Brooks shares an overview of the 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Book and the trends in the latest child well-being data. The 2024 Data Book and new online, interactive County Data Dashboard feature the latest data on 16 measures of economic security, education, health, and family and community. Additionally, the essay of this year's edition dives into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and progress on mitigating those impacts through Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). View the Data Book and accompanying resources at kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit...

Terry Brooks is joined by state Senator Lindsey Tichenor to discuss the proponent perspective of Amendment 2, the state ballot initiative to amend the Kentucky constitution to allow the Kentucky General Assembly to create legislation that allows public dollars to be spent to support nonpublic or private K-12 education. Be an informed voter on November 5th -- check out Kentucky Youth Advocates’ Electoral Advocacy Toolkit to ensure Kentucky kids count this election day at kyyouth.org. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health ca...

Terry Brooks is joined by Maddie Shepard, President of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, to discuss the opponent perspective of Amendment 2, the state ballot initiative to amend the Kentucky constitution to allow the Kentucky General Assembly to create legislation that allows public dollars to be spent to support nonpublic or private K-12 education. Be an informed voter on November 5th -- check out Kentucky Youth Advocates’ Electoral Advocacy Toolkit to ensure Kentucky kids count this election day at kyyouth.org. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to le...

Terry Brooks is joined by Jonathan Shell, Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture, to discuss the Department of Agriculture's initiatives related to hunger, nutrition, and workforce, as well as the role we can all play in advocacy and volunteerism. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Terry Brooks is joined by Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman to continue Kentucky Youth Advocates’ look at the 2024 national KIDS COUNT® Data Book and Kentucky students’ educational outcomes. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Alicia Whatley, KYA's Senior Policy & Advocacy Director, is joined by Dr. Brit Anderson, pediatrician and vice president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy for Pediatrics, Bruce Crouch, who has served as a school resource officer in Taylor County and helps lead the Taylor County Youth Coalition, and Ashlea Christiansen, Kentucky government relations director for the American Heart Association. They look at the state of youth vaping, prevention and intervention practices, and advocacy needed to enact policies that focus on preventing and ending vaping use among Kentucky kids and teens. Find Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program information here. Thank...

Terry Brooks is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Dinkins, dean of the School of Education at Bellarmine University, and Dr. Jim Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, to continue Kentucky Youth Advocates' look at the 2024 national KIDS COUNT® Data Book and Kentucky students' educational outcomes. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

Terry Brooks is joined by state Senator Max Wise and Representative James Tipton to continue Kentucky Youth Advocates' look at the 2024 national KIDS COUNT® Data Book and Kentucky students' educational outcomes. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!

As part of Kentucky Youth Advocates' segment with WEKU's Eastern Standard Radio, Terry Brooks was recently joined by Dr. Tony Zipple, Bounce co-chair, and Kelly Pullen, executive director of Aetna Better Health of Kentucky's SKY Program, to discuss youth mental health and highlight the partnership between CVS Health and the Bounce Coalition. They break down findings from a recent CVS Health-Morning Consult mental health survey, discuss the state of youth mental health in Kentucky, and offer tips for families navigating challenges. Learn more about the Bounce Coalition and request a training at bouncecoalition.org. Thank you to Aetna Better Health...

Terry Brooks reflects on key takeaways from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book. The 50-state report provides state level data and rankings, analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America. With a focus on challenges facing children’s educational outcomes, the data show Kentucky must do more to prepare children to learn so they are ready to earn when they reach adulthood. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbei...

Terry Brooks is joined by Cori Gadansky, executive director of Community Coordinated Child Care, Charles Aull, executive director of the Center for Policy & Research at the KY Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Sarah Vanover, Policy & Research Director and lead on child care at KYA. They look at the wins and missed opportunities for child care during the 2024 General Assembly, the impacts on centers and families that need to be monitored, and what federal and state advocacy is needed going forward for early childhood education and care. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count...

Terry Brooks is joined by Shane Noem, a Republican lobbyist from Northern Kentucky with Roebling Solutions and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member, and Abby Piper, Founder & Managing Partner of the government and public relations firm Piper Smith based in Lexington. Terry shares KYA's recap of "fumbles" for kids by the 2024 General Assembly and facilitates a debrief of the legislative session with our guests. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Ki...

Terry Brooks is joined by Barry Dunn, President & CEO of Kosair for Kids, and Shannon Moody, KYA's Chief Policy & Strategy Officer, for a look at the Face It Movement's efforts over the last decade. As part of a call to action for Child Abuse Prevention Month, they discuss the state of child maltreatment in the Commonwealth, the growth and impact of Face It, and how everyone can play a role in prevention. Learn more about the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement at faceitabuse.org. If you suspect abuse, call the Child Protection Hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1. Thank you to...

Terry Brooks and Kentucky Youth Advocates' policy team discuss the status of the 2024 state budget proposal as the General Assembly begins conference committee negotiations, and offer advocates calls to action to ensure kids and families are prioritized in the final biennial budget. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s well...

Terry Brooks speaks with Senator Max Wise, Chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee, to discuss the General Assembly's school safety efforts since 2019 and components of Senate Bill 2 of 2024. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at kyyouth.org/blueprintKY. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

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As part of Children's Advocacy Week 2024, Terry Brooks speaks with leaders of the Education Committees -- Representative James Tipton and Senator Jimmy Higdon. They discuss the state of K-12 education and school choice, teacher workforce, student mental health, and more. Learn more about the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and track the progress of bills that are good for kids at https://kyyouth.org/blueprintky/

Support this podcast with a gift to Kentucky Youth Advocates at kyyouth.org/donate!