Brighton Center Hosts Step Up for Kids Day
A Nationwide, Non-Partisan Event Designed to Draw Public Attention to Issues Affecting America’s Children.
Newport, KY, September 13, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Brighton Center along with Kentucky Youth Advocates, Newport Independent Schools, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners, and United Way of Greater Cincinnati, will be hosting Step Up for Kids Day at the World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky on September 16 at 11:00 a.m. This brief event is designed to draw public attention to the issues facing America’s children such as poverty, lack of health insurance, and abuse and neglect. We ask for community support for the following:
· Improved outreach and enrollment processes for Kentucky’s Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP).
· Increase access for children to quality early childhood education and support expansion of home visitation for families.
· Increase funding for the STARS for Kids Now Quality Rating System and Scholarships for Early Care and Education professionals.
· Raise the income eligibility level for the Child Care Assistance Program to allow more families to access support longer.
· Reduce the high school drop out rate in Northern Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth.
· Implement a state-level refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Care Tax Credit to support children in working families.
Featured speakers will be Robert Brewster, Executive Director of Brighton Center, Inc.; Michael Brandt, Superintendent of Newport Independent Schools; Rob Hudson, Chair of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors; Brigitte Ramsey of Kentucky Youth Advocates; Robert Reifsnyder, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati; and Barb Stonewater, Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners.
Children and youth from Brighton Center’s Bright Days Child Development and Youth Leadership Development will participate in this event as well.
Editors Notes:
Key national statistics:
· Almost 13 million American children live below the poverty line.
· Over 8 million American children are without health insurance.
· Millions of American children lack access to quality early childhood learning leaving them unprepared for academic success.
· Nationwide, 3.5 million children were reported abused and neglected (900,000 confirmed).
Key state and local statistics:
· 23.4% or approximately 218,000 children in the state of Kentucky and approximately 16,000 children in Northern Kentucky live below the poverty line.
· 82,000 children in the state of Kentucky are without health insurance.
· 16,617 children in the state of Kentucky suffered from confirmed abuse and neglect.
About Brighton Center
The mission of Brighton Center, Inc. is to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education and leadership throughout the communities of Northern Kentucky. Last year, Brighton Center served over 66,000 individuals in eight counties through 41 programs. Over 2,000 volunteers assisted Brighton Center programs throughout Northern Kentucky. For additional information please contact Bear Clifton at 859.491.8303 ext 2410 or online at bclifton@brightoncenter.com.
About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, children's advocacy organization. KYA represents a voice for Kentucky's most precious asset – its youth. We believe that Kentucky's youth deserve the opportunities and resources necessary to ensure their productive development and health. We work on behalf of Kentucky's children with the state legislature, the community, and the media. KYA listens to children, their families, and service providers who are reluctant or unable to raise questions about existing policies. For additional information please visit www.kyyouth.org.
About the Newport Independent School District
The Newport Independent District is a small urban public school district of approximately 1,900 students, serving the residents of Newport, Kentucky. The district is in the process of implementing of an aggressive strategic plan for improvement, with the goal of becoming the finest small urban school system in the country. The district’s five schools are A.D. Owens Elementary, Fourth Street Elementary, Mildred Dean Elementary, Newport Middle School and Newport High School. Contact: Bill Shamblin, 859.292.3047, bill.shamblin@newport.kyschools.us
About the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
The Mission of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is to develop strong businesses and a vibrant economy in Northern Kentucky and its surrounding region, through business advocacy and leadership, resulting in a better quality of life for all. For additional information please visit www.nkychamber.com.
About the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners
The Northern Kentucky Council of Partners in Education is Northern Kentucky’s collaborative “P-16” council, dealing with educational issues from Preschool (P) through Postsecondary (16). The Council of Partners is made up of representatives of area school districts, postsecondary institutions, adult education, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and other business and community organizations. For additional information please visit www.nkypartners.org.
About United Way of Greater Cincinnati
United Way is a leader and community catalyst mobilizing the caring power of individuals and organizations to help people measurably improve their lives. For more information please visit www.uwgc.org.
Media Contact:
Rodger Roeser, APR
rroeser@eisenmanagementgroup.com
859-291-4302
###
· Improved outreach and enrollment processes for Kentucky’s Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP).
· Increase access for children to quality early childhood education and support expansion of home visitation for families.
· Increase funding for the STARS for Kids Now Quality Rating System and Scholarships for Early Care and Education professionals.
· Raise the income eligibility level for the Child Care Assistance Program to allow more families to access support longer.
· Reduce the high school drop out rate in Northern Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth.
· Implement a state-level refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Care Tax Credit to support children in working families.
Featured speakers will be Robert Brewster, Executive Director of Brighton Center, Inc.; Michael Brandt, Superintendent of Newport Independent Schools; Rob Hudson, Chair of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors; Brigitte Ramsey of Kentucky Youth Advocates; Robert Reifsnyder, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati; and Barb Stonewater, Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners.
Children and youth from Brighton Center’s Bright Days Child Development and Youth Leadership Development will participate in this event as well.
Editors Notes:
Key national statistics:
· Almost 13 million American children live below the poverty line.
· Over 8 million American children are without health insurance.
· Millions of American children lack access to quality early childhood learning leaving them unprepared for academic success.
· Nationwide, 3.5 million children were reported abused and neglected (900,000 confirmed).
Key state and local statistics:
· 23.4% or approximately 218,000 children in the state of Kentucky and approximately 16,000 children in Northern Kentucky live below the poverty line.
· 82,000 children in the state of Kentucky are without health insurance.
· 16,617 children in the state of Kentucky suffered from confirmed abuse and neglect.
About Brighton Center
The mission of Brighton Center, Inc. is to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education and leadership throughout the communities of Northern Kentucky. Last year, Brighton Center served over 66,000 individuals in eight counties through 41 programs. Over 2,000 volunteers assisted Brighton Center programs throughout Northern Kentucky. For additional information please contact Bear Clifton at 859.491.8303 ext 2410 or online at bclifton@brightoncenter.com.
About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, children's advocacy organization. KYA represents a voice for Kentucky's most precious asset – its youth. We believe that Kentucky's youth deserve the opportunities and resources necessary to ensure their productive development and health. We work on behalf of Kentucky's children with the state legislature, the community, and the media. KYA listens to children, their families, and service providers who are reluctant or unable to raise questions about existing policies. For additional information please visit www.kyyouth.org.
About the Newport Independent School District
The Newport Independent District is a small urban public school district of approximately 1,900 students, serving the residents of Newport, Kentucky. The district is in the process of implementing of an aggressive strategic plan for improvement, with the goal of becoming the finest small urban school system in the country. The district’s five schools are A.D. Owens Elementary, Fourth Street Elementary, Mildred Dean Elementary, Newport Middle School and Newport High School. Contact: Bill Shamblin, 859.292.3047, bill.shamblin@newport.kyschools.us
About the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
The Mission of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is to develop strong businesses and a vibrant economy in Northern Kentucky and its surrounding region, through business advocacy and leadership, resulting in a better quality of life for all. For additional information please visit www.nkychamber.com.
About the Northern Kentucky Council of Partners
The Northern Kentucky Council of Partners in Education is Northern Kentucky’s collaborative “P-16” council, dealing with educational issues from Preschool (P) through Postsecondary (16). The Council of Partners is made up of representatives of area school districts, postsecondary institutions, adult education, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and other business and community organizations. For additional information please visit www.nkypartners.org.
About United Way of Greater Cincinnati
United Way is a leader and community catalyst mobilizing the caring power of individuals and organizations to help people measurably improve their lives. For more information please visit www.uwgc.org.
Media Contact:
Rodger Roeser, APR
rroeser@eisenmanagementgroup.com
859-291-4302
###
Contact
Brighton Center
Rodger Roeser
859-291-4302
www.brightoncenter.com
Rodger Roeser
859-291-4302
www.brightoncenter.com
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