Making Kids Count

The Intersection of Youth Mental Health and Social Media

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 [https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=64] of Kenton County, Sarah Kidder, Executive Director of the Kentucky Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs [https://www.bgckentucky.org/], and Dr. Amy Brausch, a licensed clinical psychologist and scholar with the LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research [https://www.wku.edu/childwelfare/] at Western Kentucky University.  If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline [https://988.ky.gov/] at 988. Learn more about Bloom Kentucky at kyyouth.org/bloom [http://kyyouth.org/bloom].  Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose [http://aetnamedicaidky.com/choose] to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

KYGA26 Recap and Reflections with Child Advocates

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. [https://www.fecbg.com/] in Bowling Green, Liz McQuillen, Chief Policy Officer at Metro United Way [https://metrounitedway.org/] in Louisville, and Shane Noem, President of Roebling Solutions [https://www.dinsmore.com/services/roebling-solutions/] and a Kentucky Youth Advocates board member from Northern Kentucky. Check out KYA's Bill Breakdown on Kids [https://kyyouth.org/kyga26-bill-breakdown-on-kids/] and Budget Breakdown on Kids [https://kyyouth.org/kyga26-budget-breakdown-on-kids/] blogs at kyyouth.org [http://kyyouth.org]. Thank you to Aetna Better Health of Kentucky for supporting the Making Kids Count Podcast. Visit AetnaMedicaidKY.com/choose [http://aetnamedicaidky.com/choose] to learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.

A Conversation on Child Nutrition in Kentucky

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.

A Conversation with Auditor Ball on Nontraditional Placements Report

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.

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming - Collaborating to Keep Kids Safe

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 learn more about their health care benefits and programs designed with your family’s wellbeing in mind.