Commentary: Kentucky youth say ‘Listen to us!’ — and hear us about decisions made about our futures

By Jordan Joslin, Kori Wheeler, and Kirsten Yancy
Kentucky Youth Advocates

Because the November midterm elections have come to a detailed, Kentuckians are actually looking forward to the 2023 Kentucky Normal Meeting and Governor’s race. Voters will make their method to the polls subsequent November, and we – Kentucky’s youth – are counting on those self same voters to maintain us prime of thoughts when casting their ballots.

Whereas children can’t vote, one factor is for certain – now we have so much to say with regards to choices being made about our futures. However primarily: LISTEN TO US.

Within the 2022 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Knowledge Guide, younger individuals from throughout the Commonwealth shared their hopes and issues with Kentucky Youth Advocates, mentioning the significance of psychological well being, protected communities, and caring adults.

Jordan Joslin, Bullitt County: 

Jordan Joslin

“One quote that stands out to me from the info e book is from Kyleigh from Menifee County, who says, ‘Psychological well being is tough. Children want breaks. Children are so sturdy and able to a lot, however they’re additionally going via so much.’

“I do know personally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a battle seeing household and associates round me anxious about cash and the place their subsequent meal would come from. I used to be all the time harassed about so many issues. And–as Kyleigh mentioned–I simply wished a break.

“Having an grownup in your life that you may all the time belief and speak to when it’s essential is nice. Please keep in mind that we want you. Children and teenagers want you.”

Kori Wheeler, Jefferson County: 

Kori Wheeler

“All kids deserve supportive households and powerful communities with equal alternatives to thrive. Children additionally deserve a second likelihood once they make a mistake at a younger age comparable to entry to a diversion program or different group assets with out being caught within the juvenile justice system.

“As Ty Aiera of Jefferson County says within the e book, ‘state leaders ought to assist make all children really feel protected, beloved and revered.’ They’ll do this by making certain children have protected areas of their group to hang around and to only be children and constructive alternatives.”

Kirsten Yancey, Graves County:

“What’s most talked about amongst excessive schoolers, and even center schoolers, in my county is psychological well being. Lately, my classmates have handled COVID-19 and the twister final December back-to-back. This has brought about storm anxiousness and feeling unable to overlook faculty, lest they fall behind. It has a huge impact on psychological well being, which is a nation-wide subject.

Kristen Yancy

Elizabeth from Daviess County says, ‘Psychological well being needs to be a giant precedence. As somebody that has anxiousness and it impacts me on a regular basis not simply mentally but in addition bodily, it’s the greatest feeling figuring out that folks actually care about me and the way in which I really feel.’”

The County Knowledge Guide options the most recent knowledge on 16 measures of kid well-being, together with on the county-level so particular person communities can monitor how children are doing in well being, training, financial safety, and within the household and group context. The info exhibits enhancements in baby poverty (19%), although there are too many children throughout Kentucky going hungry and experiencing homelessness. Check scores in studying for fourth graders (46%) and in math for eighth graders (36%) are additionally falling behind.

Kentucky children deserve higher.

As you start eager about the 2023 legislative session and who you’ll vote for subsequent November within the election for governor, ask your self: how will I prioritize children and households?

As Alexis from Breckenridge County says, “Serving to children is usually simpler than it appears.”

We ask you to not simply learn the info and perception from Kentucky’s younger individuals discovered on this knowledge e book. However fairly, hear after which use it to tell your advocacy for all children in 2023.

Entry the 2022 KIDS COUNT County Knowledge Guide, county knowledge profiles, and the info dashboard that includes state knowledge from the report disaggregated by race/ethnicity at www.kyyouth.org/kentucky-kids-count/.

Jordan Joslin is a tenth grade scholar from Bullitt County and Kirsten Yancy is a twelfth grade scholar from Graves County and each are members of the Well being Youth Ambassadors. Kori Wheeler, younger grownup from Jefferson County, a graduate from YouthBuild Louisville and a member of REFORM.Lou.