HEADLINE NEWS

May 2009
Members of Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Travel to Capitol Hill to Speak with Congressional Leaders

Eighteen members of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance, including nine youth, traveled to Washington, D.C. April 25-28, 2009 to meet with Congressional leaders and advocate for the support of out-of-school time programs for children and youth in Kentucky. The advocacy efforts were part of the eighth annual Afterschool for All Challenge sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance.

"The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance has found that some of our most powerful advocacy tools are the stories of individual children and youth. That is why we felt it was critical that Kentucky's Senators and Congressmen heard, firsthand, about the importance of out-of-school time programs from the children themselves," said Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Out-of-School Time Coordinator. "Nine youth from across the Commonwealth joined us on the trip to share their personal experiences and learned just how powerful their voices are. For many of the youth, this trip not only helped them to experience civic duty and responsibility, it helped them to recognize that their voice matters and that their congressional leaders care about what they have to say."

The group met with Congressman Brett Guthrie and legislative aides from the offices of Senator Jim Bunning and Congressmen John Yarmuth and Hal Rogers to gain their commitment to sign onto the After School for all Cacus. The group also met with and presented Congressmen Ben Chandler and Ed Whitfield, with the 2009 Kentucky Out-of-School Time Champion Legislative Award because they signed onto the After School for all Cacus during our 2008 visit.

• Learn more about the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance

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May 2009
Kentucky Out-of-School Time Champion Honored in Nation's Capitol

Dr. Ella Brunner, Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Quality Committee Chair and Jefferson Community and Technical College Associate Professor, was honored as an Afterschool Champion in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Afterschool Alliances' "Breakfast of Champions." As one of seven afterschool champions from across the nation who were honored, Dr. Brunner was recognized for her efforts in helping child care providers and school and community out-of-school time providers work together. Dr. Brunner led committee efforts to develop recommendations for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Child Care to guide school age licensing regulations agreeable to all providers. The "Breakfast of Champions" was part of the eighth annual Afterschool for All Challenge.

• Learn more about the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance

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May 2009
Kentucky Child Now Launches SOS -- Signs of Suicide Web pages

Although being a teenager can mean having some great moments, it can also mean being stuck between being a kid and an adult -- sometimes feeling like one or the other, depending on the day. Youth have new things to deal with socially and academically and new types of pressures. For even the happiest teenager, these years can cause anxiety and confusion. Teenage suicide is becoming more common every year in the United States. In fact, only car accidents and homicides (murders) kill more people between the ages of 15 and 24, making suicide the third (2nd in Kentucky) leading cause of death in teens.

As part of a federal youth suicide prevention grant, Kentucky Child Now in collaboration with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is offering free of charge Signs of Suicide (SOS) program toolkits for middle and high schools in Kentucky. The SOS program is a nationally recognized school-based suicide prevention initiative designed for tweens and teens. It aims to teach students how to address issues related to depression by identifying symptoms within themselves and among their friends. Students are encouraged to use the ACT technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).

The requirements for receiving a free kit from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services include:

• A signed memorandum of agreement with clearly identified training and implementation dates.
• Participating in a one-hour suicide prevention training for school, staff or community members.
• Completing a brief evaluation of results from using the kit.

As with anything else, it's important for us to know about suicide in order to prevent this permanent act. We need to learn about what puts a teenager at risk for suicide, the warning signs of someone who may be planning to commit suicide, and how to get help. For more information about the SOS program and obtaining a toolkit please visit the Kentucky Child Now Training Institute or call Karen E. Napier, Mental Health Project Specialist at 502-227-7722.

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April 2009
Out-of-School Time Champions Recognized at KYOSA Hall of Fames Award Luncheon

Seven champions from across Kentucky and the Marion County Board of Education were recognized on April 20 at the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon for their dedication and supports to the advancement of the field of out-of-school time in the Commonwealth through advocacy, direct support, or services.

First Lady Jane Beshear and Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry joined the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance to honor the Champions and to speak of the importance of after-school programs for Kentucky's children and youth.

First Lady Beshear presented the following Outstanding Kentucky Out-of-School Time awards to:

• Congressman Ben Chandler and Congressman Ed Whitfield each received the Legislative Award for their recognition and support of Kentucky's children as members of the Afterschool Caucus. They are the first high level elected officials from Kentucky to do so!
• Terry Colon of Willisburg, Kentucky received the Parent Award for her volunteer efforts with North Washington's Best 21st Century Community Learning Center/Childcare program. Ms. Colon has not only taught sign language and crocheting; she has coached the archery team for the past 4 years and has helped to arrange fundraisers.
• The Marion County Board of Education in Lebanon, Kentucky received the Policymaker Award for their tremendous display of devotion and support of the Marion County 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC). The Board of Education is the sole funding for the 21st CCLC program since grant funds expired after the 2008 school year. Their return on investment is the academic successes from this program in the schools.
• Donna McNichols, Director of the Housing Authority of Cadiz, Kentucky received the Community Partner Award for her collaborative efforts with the Trigg County High School Service Learning Council. Together, they created "Terrific Tuesdays" an after school tutoring and mentoring program which currently serves and average of 46 preschool through eighth grade students.
• Kevin Bowling, Site Director of the YMCA of Greater Louisville, received the Staff Award for his multifaceted achievements with the YMCA Jeffersontown Elementary Childcare Enrichment Program. Mr. Bowling has increased the family support of physical fitness through walking clubs and fitness time. He has also successfully raised funds through the annual Spirit Campaign and brought awareness to the importance of after school care.
• Catharine G. Barwell, Principal of Ryland Elementary School in Ryland Heights, Kentucky received the Leadership Award for her strong leadership in implementation of many innovative and creative programs to help achieve student success. These programs include: the 21st Century Community Learning Center, Read to Achieve, and a wireless laptop learning lab. A true leader, Ms. Barwell has created a warm and welcome environment in which students can thrive by encouraging parents and community partners to become involved in student learning.
• Dr. Ella Brunner, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education with Jefferson Community and Technical College, received the Champion Award for her lifelong commitment to children and continued advocacy efforts as the chair of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Quality Committee.

To learn more about the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance or how you can help to ensure that Kentucky's children and youth have access to high quality out-of-school time programs -- before school, after school, and in the Summer, please contact Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Coordinator at 502-227-7722.

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April 2009
Dr. Ella Brunner Receives Kentucky Out-of-School Time Champion Award

Dr. Ella Brunner received the Kentucky Out-of-School Time Champion Award on Monday, April 20, 2009 at the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon. This award honors the individual who has made important state-wide contributions to the field of out-of-school time, in the areas of improving the quality, accessibility, affordability or availability of out-of school time programs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

After raising five children of her own, Dr. Brunner opened a day care center in order for children to have a safe and loving environment in which to grow. Dr. Brunner recognized the importance of quality childcare and returned to school to earn her doctorate degree in Education. Dr. Brunner's lifelong commitment to children continues as an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education with Jefferson Community and Technical College and as the chair of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Quality Committee. Since joining the Alliance, Dr. Brunner has worked diligently to improve the quality of out-of-school time programs and has enthusiastically embraced advocating for quality out-of-school time programs for all Kentucky's children and youth.

Dr. Brunner will be representing the Alliance in Washington, D.C. on April 28 at the Afterschool for All -- Breakfast of Champions where she will be honored as a state champion for afterschool.

• Learn more about the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance
• Learn more about Outstanding Kentucky Out-of-School Time award winners and nominees

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April 2009
Kentucky Child Now Celebrates 10 Years of Success and Unveils New Mission

Prompted by a race day bugle call, hundreds of Kentucky Child Now's sponsors, partners, and friends flooded the Marriott's ballroom where they were welcomed by a stunning array of color and the booming beat of Kool and the Gang's Celebration. The 10 Year Anniversary Celebration had begun!

Filled with energy and excitement, dinner Co-Chairs Karen Handel and RB Brown greeted guests, "Tonight is a very special occasion for us as we celebrate 10 years of success, honor our founder, Dr. Thomas Young, unveil our new mission statement, and enjoy the music of a #1 hit country music singer."

An enjoyable and lively program which showcased the important work of Kentucky Child Now followed the words of Karen and RB. Guests laughed as they tagged along on the 2009 Great Kids Summits via video clips and were brought to their feet as Board Chair, Paul Andis thanked Dr. Young for his vision and invited him to the stage to receive an award of appreciation. We were honored to end the evening with country music sensation Jimmy Wayne as he shared his personal triumphs and his beautiful voice with all of us. To top it off, Jimmy donated two tickets and backstage passes to his upcoming concert with Alan Jackson.

"Our 10 Year Anniversary was an evening that we will not soon forget," said Mary Kate Poling, Executive Director. "But there is still a great deal of work to be done. With our renewed mission to help Kentucky's youth, there is no limit to the possibilities of tomorrow."

• View Pictures from the Evening
• Learn More about Kentucky Child Now

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April 2009
$10,000 in Free Training Awarded to Western Kentucky!

On April 10, 2009 Kentucky Child Now awarded the Western Region GEAR UP and SOAR and the GEAR UP Alliance with $10,000 in free training. The award was given in recognition of the region's ability to come together to raise over $6,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the 2009 Regional Great Kids Summit. Regional Representatives Georgann Lookofsky, USEC; Jennifer VanWaes, GEAR UP and SOAR; and Michael Byers, Crounse Corporation received the award on stage at the 10 Year Anniversary Celebration.

• Learn More about Kentucky Child Now's Trainings
• Learn More about the 2009 Regional Great Kids Summits

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April 2009
Students Say "Upgrades to a 3.0 Classroom" May Help with Drop-Out Issue
By Zuri Johnson, Marketing and Communications Intern

2009 Great Kids Summits' attendees spoke out about the drop-out issue and they want an upgrade. Sitting behind the text and just listening isn't cutting it for this generation. They are bored and want to be more interactive and engaged in their classrooms. They would rather be involved and hands-on in their learning than simply sit back and be taught. The high school and middle school students that participated in the Summit came to a common consensus. Busy textbook work will only keep their attention for so long. They long for labs in their science classes, field trips in their English and history classes, and modern mathematics that they can relate to.

Summit attendees were broken up into several groups to discuss solutions to the high school drop-out problem in Kentucky. Several factors were considered in the students' discussion such as parents, teachers, policymakers and the students. These young people have noticed that the classroom, their peers and their home environment have a profound affect on what they do in life. They want their teachers to care about and support their endeavors but they also want to receive the same support and care at home. They want encouragement from their peers but they want the policymakers to believe in them too. They want to make it to graduation but they don't want a diploma to merely be handed to them. This generation is a fast-paced one that can't sit still for change; they want to be the force behind it.

When you see 3.0 it generally means that something has been upgraded, or updated, from its previous version in technology. Classroom 3.0 is a concept from a Great Kids Summit attendee for how schools can make classes more interesting and helpful. It seems like a metaphor for closer interaction between students/teachers and their work. It can also resemble the goal for higher GPA's. But it represents much more - the high-speed processing, driven for change, force to be reckoned with 3.0 generation.

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April 2009
One More Child Helped through School-Based Health Care

Though an Eastern Kentucky mother knew her son's allergies were bad, there was little she could do to help his constant cough; it was simply that time of year - allergy season. When she dropped him off at school, she worried he would have difficulty concentrating. And, he did. So much so, that later that day the boy visited the local School-Based Health Center.

"I need someone to listen to my lungs," he declared passionately. In the following exam, the Nurse Practitioner found bronchitis was the cause of his cough, not allergies. The Nurse Practitioner called his mother to discuss the diagnosis and soon after a prescription was sent to the local pharmacy for antibiotics that would clear his lungs.

This child and his mother are merely one example of thousands of students and families across the Commonwealth who benefit from School-Based Health Centers. "The Kentucky School-Based Health Care Network is charged with advocating for the interests of School-Based Health Centers in Kentucky," said Mary Kate Poling, Executive Director for Kentucky Child Now. "That charge was boosted this week through the generous contribution of $50,000 from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati."

In the upcoming year, the Network will be engaging in a series of steps to increase and develop its capacity. This includes strategic planning, resource development and training opportunities for Network members. Look for more exciting announcements from the Network in the future!

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