The month of May in Kentucky brings warmer weather, Derby excitement, and the end of another school year, but it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. This national month of recognition aims to educate and provide resources for individuals, families, and children about the importance of taking care of their mental health needs. This year’s theme - “You Are Not Alone” - emphasizes the importance of connecting with others in a safe way and taking [...]
During Nutrition Month in March, national and state advocacy groups are asking for increased supports and efforts around feeding programs. As Kentucky continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we know child feeding programs are essential for kids and families as more than 20% of Kentucky households with children reported sometimes or often not having enough food to eat at the end of 2020, a rate that has been increasing since October. Temporary changes to [...]
Kentucky Youth Advocates, in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, conducted a community assessment to better understand the behavioral health landscape for adolescents in Louisville. The assessment included ten focus groups and an online survey during the Fall of 2020 with behavioral health providers, pediatricians, educators, residential treatment staff, juvenile justice staff, community support organizations, case managers, parents, and youth. Respondents pointed to cultural barriers as one of the most significant obstacles for [...]
March is National Nutrition Month, an important time to recognize and celebrate alongside advocates and the community. Research shows that food and beverage choices are important factors for healthy growth and development, and maintaining good health and oral health. In partnership with the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, we promote optimal health and oral health throughout the lifetime, but we know that health habits learned early on can lead to healthy choices in adulthood. One of the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children 2020 legislative priorities related to nutrition – health [...]
VIEW LATEST UPDATE ON SUMMER EBT AND CHILD CARE P-EBT IN OUR AUGUST 2, 2021 BLOG POST. Updated May 14, 2021 We are excited to announce that Kentucky has received final federal approval and the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefit has been extended for October 2020-June 2021. This round of benefits will be administered differently than previous rounds, so please read the following information from the state carefully. View the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and [...]
Updated February 3, 2021 January 1st marked the start of new Medicaid plans for 2021. This year, there are several changes and updates to the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) providing health, oral health, and behavioral health coverage for Kentuckians. A new MCO, United Healthcare, has been approved and began providing coverage in 2021. Any new Medicaid members who did not select an MCO have been automatically assigned to United Healthcare. United Healthcare has also been [...]
As Kentucky’s 2021 General Assembly kicks off this week, many policy items from the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children will be filed as bills for consideration. Among these priorities is expanding local control to allow city and county governments the option to regulate the use, display, sale, and distribution of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. This policy will allow city and county governments to respond to their local needs and tailor their ordinances to these needs. City and county governments could take [...]
February 26, 2021 update: find the latest P-EBT information in this post. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many schools in Kentucky being closed for in-person learning since March. To help provide food supports for families, Kentucky has leveraged a federal program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) called Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). These benefits provide money that can be used on grocery items in place of free meals that children would receive [...]
Kentucky’s youth in foster care are a vulnerable population who need access to comprehensive health coverage. Youth in foster care and who have aged out of foster care have disproportionately high rates of serious physical, mental, and behavioral health issues. They are more likely to have health issues that affect their day-to-day functioning and more likely to need psychological and substance abuse counseling. Many youth formerly in foster care live at or below the poverty [...]
The 2021 open enrollment period for health insurance began November 2, 2020 and goes through December 15th. Let’s make sure everyone who is eligible signs up for the health insurance they need to stay healthy. Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) provides free or low-cost health coverage to low-income Kentucky families, pregnant women, and children in foster care. This coverage will provide Kentuckians the access to receive routine health care services and [...]
