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. This month’s Advocacy for Thriving Communities Roadshow is being held in-person in Hopkinsville on August 5. A virtual program will take place on August 8. Learn more about these programs here.

Webinar │ Public Health Data

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Health for a Change webinar series presents a free webinar: Navigating the Changing Public Health Data Landscape on August 14. The data we rely on to make informed public health decisions is shifting— what’s available and how we access it is evolving, and will be addressed in this webinar. Learn more and register here.

Training│ Problem Gambling Counselor Training

Since the launch of sports betting in September 2023, calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline for gambling-related support and referrals have more than doubled. Trends from other states suggest this number will continue to rise. To help meet the growing need for qualified professionals, the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) is offering a one-week, intensive 30-hour training program towards a Gambling Counselor Certification.

Kentucky-based counselors and behavioral health professionals interested in certification can attend the training from October 6–10, with registration opening August 15. Space is limited. More information here; registration here.

Immunizations │ New Resources for Schools

The Kentucky Department for Public Health School Health Team has worked with the Immunization Branch Education Team to develop resources for schools. They have combined the Back to School and Child Care toolkits to an easy-to-use resource organized by audience and setting, Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Outreach Toolkit. It includes immunization schedules, noncompliance and declination forms (in English and Spanish), resources for immigrant and refugee children and updated flyers and social media graphics, all tied to the new theme: Healthy Roots, Stronger Futures. Just like strong roots to help children grow and thrive, timely vaccinations build a foundation for lifelong health.

Food and Nutrition │ Summer EBT

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) is a federal child nutrition program offering benefits to students from eligible families, to help cover the cost of meals during the summer when schools are not in session. It is important to have parents / guardians learn about the program and receive the benefits if eligible. Feeding Kentucky has developed the Summer EBT Eligibility Screening Form, which can be found here.

School Health │ Medication Administration Training Program

As the Kentucky Department of Education indicates, school districts must have emergency care procedures at all times when students are in school or participating in school activities. According to the Kentucky Administrative Regulation 702 KAR 1:160,  there must be a school employee who is trained to administer to a student, or assist a student with the self-administration of medications. KDE has therefore established the Medication Administration Training Program. Learn more here. 

How the 2025 Budget Law Cuts Health Coverage for Kids and Families

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill into law (H.R. 1). The law makes extensive changes to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces, resulting in deep funding cuts. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the law reduces gross federal spending on Medicaid and CHIP by $990 billion over ten years, and that’s excluding a new rural health fund and any revenue or interaction effects. Combined, the gross cuts to Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplaces total $1.2 trillion

The Center for Children and Families has published the report Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act Marketplace Cuts and Other Health Provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Law, Explained, which provides a comprehensive summary analysis of the law.  As the report indicates, only 2.5% of the Medicaid and CHIP cuts target fraud, waste, or abuse. Major provisions shift substantial costs to states, which will also face additional burdens from changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

A Measure of Neighborhood Impact on Children’s Development

Neighborhoods shape children's futures. Children in areas with quality schools, safe housing, healthy food, parks, clean air, and economic opportunities are more likely to thrive than those who do not have access to these resources. The Child Opportunity Index (COI), developed by diversitydatakids.org, tracks these resources, measuring neighborhood conditions that support healthy development.

The COI is a composite index covering all U.S. neighborhoods (census tracts) from 2012 to 2023, using 44 indicators across three domains—education, health and environment, and social and economic—and 14 subdomains.

Integrating Health and Wellness into the School Environment: Upcoming Opportunity

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has been supporting the Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health (CATCH) evidence-based program administered by the CATCH Global Foundation, to provide training and resources to schools.

Through CATCH, educators are participating in professional development and receiving valuable resources focused on promoting healthy eating and physical activity. 

The Foundation’s support has been directed to schools in Eastern Kentucky. CATCH has been a proud partner with a cohort of elementary and middle schools through the end of the 2025 calendar year and extend their sincere thanks to dedicated educators leading this work in their communities including: Ashley Willis with Lewis County Elementary, Denna Stamper with McBrayer Elementary, Leigh Brown with Morgan Middle, and Elizabeth White with Adair County Middle.

Upcoming Opportunity:

CATCH will be hosting a free in-person Physical Education professional development session on September 22 at Morehead University. This event is open to all health and wellness educators across Eastern Kentucky.

To learn more about this grant program or to register for the free PE training, please contact chad@catch.org.

You can also click this link to register:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/catchglobalfoundation/1743689

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Annual Medicaid renewals for KY children resume July 1

The Implementation Timeline of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Kentucky didn’t properly monitor COVID-19 testing program in schools, feds say 

Fearing Medicaid Coverage Loss, Some Parents Rush To Vaccinate Their Kids

Federal food assistance changes could hit Kentucky hard

We lead UofL Health. Medicaid cuts threaten lives, jobs and Kentucky's future

Vape crisis grows: Teen ER visits surge

Kentucky Department for Public Health

Kentucky Family Thrive

Kentucky Department of Education

Kentucky Health Departments Association

Kentucky Nurses Association

Kentucky Primary Care Association

Kentucky Public Health Association

Kentucky Psychological Association 

Kentucky School Boards Association

Kentucky Voices for Health

Kentucky Youth Advocates

KY Parent Teacher Association – 16^th District

Playworks

Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence

Seven Counties Services

Spalding University

St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Trans Parent Lex

United Healthcare

University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences

University of Louisville School of Public Health & Information Studies

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