When you ask families in Kentucky what they need most, reliable child care frequently sits at the top of the list. Long waitlists, high costs, and the absence of providers make it harder for parents to work and for children to thrive in safe, supportive environments. These challenges not only strain family stability but can also increase risk of unnecessary involvement with the child welfare system when stress and unmet needs escalate. Recognizing this, Regional Prevention Collaboratives across the commonwealth are stepping to address child care access as a key prevention strategy.

What are Regional Prevention Collaboratives Doing?

The Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky Regional Prevention Collaboratives are each working within their own communities to improve access to child care:

  • Eastern Mountain Region is exploring strategies to address child care deserts. This includes circulating resources provided by the Appalachian Child Care Network and sharing child care information with libraries across the region.
  • Northeastern Region is focusing on raising awareness of the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership, through circulating information on it to both families and employers. 
  • The Lakes Region is compiling area resources on child care, with a focus on connecting caregivers to existing providers and exploring alternatives to center-based care, such as family or in-home options.
  • Two Rivers Region is raising awareness of the Employee Child Care Assistance Program (ECCAP), with local leaders identifying employers to discuss the information with and by educating families on it for them to take to their employers.

What Can You Do?

Everyone has a role to play in strengthening child care access across Kentucky. You can share information about child care resources with families and employers in your community and advocate for policies that promote the availability of affordable, quality child care programs.

If you would like to learn more about the work that all of the Regional Prevention Collaboratives are doing, you can read more here.