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Welcome to the Making KIDS COUNT podcast brought to you by Kentucky Youth Advocates, where we sit down with policymakers, community leaders, and youth and discuss ideas to make Kentucky the best place to be young.
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A child-safety policy conversation centered on legislative proposals, public awareness, and Kentucky's session clock.
Making Kids Count stays focused on child sexual abuse prevention and several child-safety bills before the General Assembly, with Shannon Moody joined by Jane Herms, Sonia Gray, and Laura Wills Koppelman as the session moves into crunch time.
A session preview that turns kids policy into budget talk and constituent outreach.
Making Kids Count frames a 2026 Kentucky General Assembly preview around practical advocacy, with Shannon Moody keeping the attention on kids policy, the 60-day session that begins on January 6, the state's next two-year budget, and the limited time left to contact House and…
A Kentucky policy conversation that keeps child well-being tied to data and workable next steps.
The piece treats child well-being as a policy issue, not a talking point. Backed by Kentucky Youth Advocates, it uses the annual Kids Count release and the state data report to ground the discussion in county level detail.
Canadian affordability, explained through the policy machinery.
Illinois policy, straight from Springfield.
This episode discusses the Kentucky General Assembly's current legislative session, focusing on nutrition-related bills and state budget priorities.
Host Terry Brooks interviews Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball about her work and advocacy for children.
Making Kids Count centers on child sexual abuse prevention during day 42 of Kentucky's 60-day legislative session, with Shannon Moody of Kentucky Youth Advocates hosting Jane Herms, Sonia Gray, and Laura Wills-Koppelman.
Cassie Chambers Armstrong credits family, community, Medicaid, food assistance, and Pell Grants for her journey from poverty to Yale.
This episode discusses adverse childhood experiences and community environments, featuring experts and partners working on resilience building and policy advocacy in Kentucky.
Shannon Moody of Kentucky Youth Advocates interviews State Representative Stephanie Dietz and Judge Marcus Vanover about family legal representation in Kentucky’s child welfare system.
Kentucky Youth Advocates host Shannon Moody previews the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly with Republican lobbyist Shane Noem, lobbyist Jared, and KYA policy director Alicia, who warn that a $305 million budget shortfall and the expiry of COVID-era federal dollars will make this the most constrained budget session in years.
KYA executive director Terry Brooks presents the latest Kentucky Kids Count data showing that 119 of 120 counties have worsening food insecurity, while one in five Kentucky children is obese — a rate that is part of a 270% national obesity increase since the 1970s.
Host Terry Brooks interviews Senator Max Wise about child-focused legislation in Kentucky.
Host Terry Brooks interviews Kentucky legislators about their work and commitment to improving children's well-being during Children's Advocacy Week.
Host Terry Brooks interviews Kentucky Attorney General candidate Pam Stevenson about her background and plans for the office.
Host Terry Brooks interviews Congressman-elect Morgan McGarvey about his work for Kentucky's children and his vision for state and federal policy.