Terry Brooks is joined via phone by Veronica Cecil, Vice President for Policy at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and former Deputy Commissioner in the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, Dr. Julia Richerson, pediatrician practicing at Family Health Centers Iroquois in Louisville, and Dr. Nikki Stone, Dental Director at the UK North Fork Valley Community Health Center in Hazard. They discuss the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems, what changes are needed to ensure continuity of health care, and best practices for families to access care during this time.

Families in need of food, cash assistance, or medical coverage can contact the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at www.benefind.ky.gov or by phone at 1-855-306-8959. For other COVID-19 related information or questions, visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov or call 1-800-722-5725.

This is part of a series of conversations where we examine the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kentucky kids and the systems that influence their lives – health care, education, early childhood education and care, child welfare, youth justice, economic security, and more.