The 2021 Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book examines data disaggregated by race/ethnicity, the impacts of systemic racial injustice on children and families, and solutions to advance racial equity so that every child can thrive. The 31st edition of this publication also features the latest data on 17 measures of child well-being, showing whether outcomes for children across the Commonwealth have improved, worsened, or stayed the same over a five-year period. At the virtual press conference, Dr. [...]

The May 12, 2021 Advocate Virtual Forum hosted by Kentucky Youth Advocates discussed supporting youth aging out of foster care in Kentucky. The panelists included Nikki Thornton, Executive Director of True Up; Paula Garner, President and CEO of Maryhurst; and Cynthia Schepers, a young adult who aged out of foster care. View Video Listen to Podcast

CONTACT: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky Youth Advocates and True Up are pleased to announce a formal partnership between the two organizations. As of April 1, 2021, True Up is officially an affiliated initiative of Kentucky Youth Advocates. True Up Executive Director Nikki Thornton has joined Kentucky Youth Advocates’ team with the intent to expand on True Up’s successful track record of engaging, empowering, and connecting young people ages 16 and older who are currently [...]

The May 12, 2020 edition of the Making Kids Count podcast featured Nikki Thornton, Director of Program Operations at True Up, and Tia Humphrey, a member of the Voices of the Commonwealth. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting young people in or transitioning out of foster care and the supports they need to stay healthy and safe during this time. Listen Now

Several True Up youth were able to get an up-close look at politics in action and meet with key lawmakers during Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Held on February 5, this marked the 11th year for the event, which attracts hundreds of people from across Kentucky to Frankfort to have their voices heard on issues affecting children. Advocates turned out in force to rally on behalf of children’s issues and ask lawmakers to [...]

Two leaders with the True Up Youth Advisory Council (YAC) were able to follow in the footsteps of a Kentucky lawmaker to get an up-close look at our government in action. Both walked away with lessons learned and were able to share some experiences and insight of their own. Joseph Bartram, YAC president, and Chelsea Hoover, YAC committee chair for special events and projects, traveled to Frankfort on October 15 to shadow Rep. Joni [...]

More than 125 foster youth attended the Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.) September 28 at the University of Louisville Shelby Campus. True Up and other child advocacy groups sponsored the summit that focused on kids helping kids succeed as adults. The event was planned by young people and all workshop and keynote presenters were youth. “Smash the Past, Blast Your Future!” was the theme chosen by young people to highlight the importance of taking responsibility [...]

A special group of Jefferson County graduates gathered June 10th at the Home of the Innocents to celebrate receiving their high school diplomas or GEDs. The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, foster care agencies in Jefferson County and True Up joined forces to host the first-ever collaborative graduation celebration for foster youth. The idea was simple – to recognize the hard work and dedication of nearly 50 foster youth in [...]

Kentucky lawmakers focused their attention on some of the young citizens of the commonwealth during Children’s Advocacy Day. Two Dozen True Up youth traveled to Frankfort for the January 16 event. They joined hundreds of other advocates – social workers, teachers, judges, doctors and other youth – to voice the shared message of putting Kentucky children first. Advocates issued a call for action in the name of Kentucky children, urging lawmakers to make the well-being [...]