by Kelsey Raymer, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates

Situated between Bullitt and Marion Counties, Nelson County is full of deep history, new educational opportunities, and diverse populations. As someone who grew up in the county, the most intriguing phenomenon to experience is the economic division, lack of resource accessibility, and educational growth within the county. 

In the Anne E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT analysis of Nelson County, two major indicators stand out. From 2013 to present, the median family income has been higher than the state’s, but since the pandemic, the child poverty rate has increased along with food insecurity and recipients of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs. Additionally, 5,366 kids are enrolled in Medicaid and 16.8% of the county’s children live in food-insecure homes. These disparities put Nelson County close to the low-access threshold for food desert status in the eastern and southern parts of the county. It’s difficult to comprehend the contrast between median income and poverty increases without understanding the geographical makeup of the county. 

The county is a mix of rural and suburban areas that are situated around the towns of Bloomfield, New Haven, and Bardstown, which are the major economic and community hubs of the county. Most of the wealthiest people in the county reside in these towns, where the median housing price is $300,000 and apartment options are limited.  Furthermore, the majority of the development is concentrated within Bardstown’s city limits.  These factors put rural residents in a precarious position where travel takes upwards of 15-20 minutes to visit the nearest grocery store, medical offices, and social services.

Recognizing the disparities, the county has facilitated the spread of multiple initiatives, including food pantries, Dollar General Markets in Bloomfield, and easily accessible applications for free and reduced lunch and the Backpack Program through schools. To improve these initiatives, the county could work with local farmers and meat suppliers to create satellite markets around the rural schools so families can access fresh vegetables, fruits, and protein without having to travel into the city limits of Bardstown.

In addition to the food access initiatives, Nelson County has been spearheading programs for post-high school employment opportunities, which benefit students who lack the means or don’t desire to attain a four-year degree. For the longest time, the Nelson County Public Schools system had one of the few vocational schools in the region and would allow students from surrounding school systems to attend. Now, the school system has reinforced a robust educational and co-op program through the UP Center that guarantees job opportunities after graduation. Additionally, the county has partnered with local colleges to allow students the opportunity to attain an associate’s degree while in high school at a reduced cost. For example, Nelson County piloted a teacher training program that allowed students to attain an associate’s degree while in high school and then student teach at the county’s public schools while receiving a bachelor’s at Western Kentucky University. These programs are systematically changing the economic outcomes for rural children by creating opportunities for employment.

The educational initiatives can easily be mirrored across the state in rural areas where percentages of post-secondary education are low and blue-collar work opportunities that require certificates are in abundance.

Lastly, the county has increased its healthcare access for children by creating the Nelson County Care Clinic.  The clinic employs registered nurses to provide free healthcare to public school students. The services can range from minor illnesses to chronic disease care with medication monitoring. The care clinic ensures that the children of the Nelson County Public School system have access to care regardless of price. 

Nelson County, Kentucky has been at the forefront of resilience and adaptability to the challenges faced by rural communities. The county and the public school system worked in tandem to create innovative and tailored programs to meet the county’s unique needs and ensure opportunities for success in all children.

Photo courtesy of Yuri Arcurs via Dreamstime.com