KOHC GrantsThe Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC), a project of Kentucky Youth Advocates, is proud to announce a new opportunity for communities to improve oral health among children and families. The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is partnering with the UCLA Health Care Institute (HCI) and the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood to award Community Early Childhood Councils (CECC) mini-grants up to $1,000 to conduct oral health trainings for parents in their communities using an researched curriculum and protocol.

The UCLA Health Care Institute aims to empower parents, benefit children, and improve the health care system. They utilize a comprehensive approach to health empowerment for low income parents, children, and early childhood professionals on an array of programs targeting key health issues. The HCI’s methodologies of training have been proven to make valuable long-term differences in the lives of low income families with young children. This opportunity is the first effort in the country to train parents statewide.

Ten CECCs have designated a team of 3 members to attend the HCI Train-the-Trainer session on November 6th, 2014 in Louisville, KY.  The 10 CECCs who are participating include: Clay County CECC, Daviess County CECC, Estill County CECC, Hardin County CECC, Jackson County CECC, Jefferson County CECC, Jessamine County CECC, Lee County CECC, Trigg County CECC, and Webster County CECC. The group has the potential to reach and educate at least 1,000 families across the Commonwealth. Out of the 10 communities, 60% have the ability to reach the Hispanic population.

The purpose of the HCI Train-the-Trainer session is to train local teams to plan and implement parent engagement strategies around oral health literacy. Local teams include representatives from Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, social service, schools, and health services. The local teams will begin their engagement plans with parents in their communities in early 2015.

Congratulations to the ten CECCs selected to receive this mini grant!

Read more about the Train-the-Trainer session here.