KCHC April Newsletter

Kentucky Coalition For Healthy Children Newsletter

Issue 35 | April 2025

Working collaboratively on policies and practices in and around schools that promote equity and improve the physical, social, and emotional health and well-being of children, youth, and families.

The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the positions of all coalition partners.

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KCHC Member Highlights

Virtual Training │Autism Training for Kentucky Providers

In May 2024, the CDC reported that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. To enhance understanding and support for children and families, a free training series is being offered to Kentucky providers. Aetna Better Health of Kentucky SKY is sponsoring a training series provided by the Kentucky Autism Training Center April 2, 2025. Providers are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Register here.

Art Challenge│ The Impact of Tobacco Products

University of Kentucky’s #iCANendthetrend's annual creative arts challenge is open to all 4th - 12th grade students in Kentucky. Art is to be centered around this year's chosen theme: Breathe Easy, Be Free, Make Change: How has the use of tobacco products impacted you or someone you know? The deadline has been extended to April 14, 2025. Three winners from elementary, middle, & high school age groups will receive cash prizes! More information here.

Roadshow | ThriveKY Policy & Advocacy Updates

Join the ThriveKY Coalition for important updates on the economy, Medicaid, KCHIP, SNAP, housing, transportation, childcare, public health, behavioral health, and suicide prevention. The next program is in-person in Louisville on April 15. Learn more and register here.

Summit | Cultivating Kentucky’s Future

Bloom Summit: Together We Bloom is happening on May 7 in Shelbyville. This one-day event will focus on cultivating positive childhood experiences through both policy and systems change across the Commonwealth, offering a unique platform to explore new strategies for fostering resilience and mitigating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Kentucky's children. The summit brings together experts and change makers dedicated to the well-being of children. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, gain insights into the latest research, and network with peers committed to building a brighter future for Kentucky's youth.

Learn more and register here.

Grant Opportunity | School-Based Wellness

The CATCH Global Foundation (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) is seeking six elementary schools in Eastern Kentucky to join a new cohort. Selected schools will receive training, resources, and stipends to help fully activate their wellness teams. Using the easy-to-follow, evidence-based CATCH Program, schools will learn simple, effective ways to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and create a healthier school environment. This opportunity is free for schools, thanks to a grant from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

Please share this flyer with educators in Eastern Kentucky for more details.

Youth Advisory Board│ Applications Open

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a select group of high school student leaders committed to tobacco prevention and education. Eligible applicants must be in grades 9-12 for the 2025-2026 school year, which includes current 8th graders and rising seniors. YAB members will collaborate with #iCANendthetrend college facilitators at the University of Kentucky to represent their regions and the Commonwealth. Together, they will advocate for positive change, working to improve schools and communities. This paid leadership opportunity offers $250 per semester plus mileage for travel. It will equip students with valuable skills for college and future careers, while providing opportunities for personal growth as advocates. If you know a student leader interested in advocacy, peer education, public speaking, and creating change, please share this opportunity. For more details on the expectations for YAB members, please review the linked application.

Youth Summer Activities│ Nicotine Prevention Education

Interested in #iCANendthetrend presentations for your youth summer activities? Please email jmes225@g.uky.edu -- we present nicotine prevention education to summer camps, sports teams, community organizations, etc.!

Youth Leadership Summit│ Appalachia

The Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C), of which the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is a member, is sponsoring the Second Annual Appalachian Youth Leadership Summit to take place at the Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN, on June 10-13, 2025. Applications are due on April 4. Information and applications here.

What's New in Children's Health

Building Power for Health and Equity

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a program of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, has released its 2025 Annual Data, Building Power for Health and Equity, featuring updated data for over 80 health-related measures and a new model of health. This year's report highlights the influence of power, governance, structural racism, and societal norms on community conditions such as affordable housing, income, and education. Additionally, new resources have been added including six additional measures, a fresh national map, a curated list of strategies, and more.

Schools Tests Post Pandemic

The Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution analyses student text data in their report 5 years after COVID-19 hit: Test data converge on math gains, stalled reading recovery. The report finds that five years after COVID-19 disruptions, math scores have seen modest recovery, but reading scores continue to decline. Full recovery in math is expected to take over seven years. Learning gaps have widened, with historically underserved and lower-performing students recovering more slowly, while higher-performing students have made progress. The end of federal pandemic aid and reduced school funding pose challenges to recovery, emphasizing the need for continued investment in evidence-based interventions.

Tools to Advance Equity for Children

The Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity & Healthy Development at the Boston University School of Social Work has developed Signature Equity Tools for practitioners, policymakers, advocates, educators, and researchers to use in their own communities to investigate and advance equity for children and families. As stated by the institute, because “all children deserve to live healthy, happy lives regardless of their race or ethnicity, family income, disability, or where they live and go to school”, research is conducted and these tools have been created to created “conditions children need to grow and thrive—with their families, in their neighborhoods, and through local, state, and federal policies."

10 Essential Internet Safety Tips for Kids

The Annie E. Casey Foundation provides advice on Internet Safety for Kids. Besides emphasizing that adults play a crucial and ongoing role in ensuring the internet is a safer, healthier, and more positive space for children, the article indicates actions parents and caregivers can take, such as setting clear rules for technology use, implementing age-appropriate content filters and controls, and continuously education young users about the benefits and potential risks of being online. It then provides 10 essential internet safety tips for kids.

In Your Community

Fostering a Thriving Community in Clay County

Thompson Scholars, in partnership with AdventHealth Manchester, hosted the second annual Health Equity Health Fair on Friday, March 21st. This year’s theme, "3, 2, 1… Countdown to a Healthier You," tied into the date, 03/21.

The event was a great success, attracting over 250 community members. Attendees took advantage of free health screenings, leading to important follow-up appointments, as well as gaining valuable information on nutrition, wellness, and access to local resource agencies.

A significant focus of the event was on youth involvement. Thompson Scholars youth conducted research and curated a mental health exhibit, where they led informative sessions for visitors. Younger scholars also created an interactive "ReThink Your Drink" display, highlighting the sugar content in sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Additionally, Clay County High School’s HOSA program offered a hands-on "Stop the Bleed" first aid demonstration.

The health fair provided an important annual opportunity to connect with medical providers and community resource organizations, emphasizing the need to address health disparities within the community. By recognizing the impact of social determinants of health, we can all work together to ensure equitable access to health and healthcare for everyone.

TAKE ACTION!

Kentucky Bills Impacting Children’s Health

The Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children’s Bill Tracker has been updated to reflect the bills that have passed from the list of those being monitored.

Three of these bills will significantly impact children's health: HB695, which addresses Medicaid; HB495, which relates to barriers to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals; and HB4, which aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in educational institutions (links to the Governor’s statements on these bills). Despite the Governor’s vetoes, the legislature overrode them, and these bills have now become law in Kentucky.

For the reasons expressed by the Governor and others, it remains crucial for Kentuckians dedicated to protecting and advancing children’s health to continue advocating for the following:

Increased access to quality healthcare for ALL residents of the Commonwealth, particularly defending Medicaid, and removing barriers imposed by these laws.
Strong support for diversity, equity, and inclusion in institutions, as these efforts enhance individuals' quality of life, strengthen communities, and provide protection against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, physical ability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, and socioeconomic status. A society that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive is a stronger and more resilient one.

Call to Action to Protect Medicaid

Families USA has prepared materials and a call to act by messaging members of Congress to not make cuts to Medicaid considering “Medicaid is a lifeline for coverage and a foundational source of economic and health security for 80 million Americans, and a key funding pillar for the doctors and hospitals on which we all rely.”. They provide information, tools and a message form.

Call to Action to Protect School Meal Programs

The School Nutrition Association has issued a call to take action to protect school meals. Congress has proposed changes to school meal programs that could reduce access to meals and increase costs for schools. Key changes include:

Raising the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) eligibility threshold from 25% to 60% of students in poverty, making over 24,000 schools and 12 million students ineligible.
Requiring income documentation for all families applying for free/reduced-price meals, delaying benefits and adding administrative burdens.
Eliminating Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which would negatively impact around 1 million students.

This is the link to their call-to-action page: School Nutrition Association | SNA Action Network

Share Your Story: Local Food for Schools and Child Care

The National Farm to School Network is collecting information on the impact of recent federal actions, like the funding freeze or cuts to the Local Food for Schools and Child Care programs. This is the link to a survey to share your story.