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 program is being held in-person in Henderson County on July 8. Learn more and register here. 

Webinars | Health for a Change Series

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is hosting two webinars in its Health for a Change Series in July. “Supporting Immigrants as a Service Provider,” is on July 22. Immigrant families and individuals are under increasing stress which can place a strain on their health and well-being. Service providers can join this webinar to learn more about immigrant rights and become more confident to help families prepare for potential interactions with immigration enforcement officers. “Recognizing and Responding to Opioid Exposed Infants,” is on July 23 & 1.5 CE credits are available from the Kentucky Nurses Association for attending this live webinar.

Grants | Organizations Launch Projects

Twelve organizations across the state have received grants to better support the resiliency and well-being of Kentucky kids and teens. The Kentucky Services and Infrastructure eXpansion (KY SIX) funding initiative is a partnership between the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID). This initiative will expand services for children and teens who are at risk for, or with, serious emotional disabilities, specifically those who have child welfare and/or juvenile justice involvement. Read more here about the projects.

Event│ Kentucky CTE Summer Program

The annual statewide Kentucky Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Program will host around 2,000 CTE teachers and administrators at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, July 28–31. Attendees can choose from 250+ sessions covering all CTE pathways, including agriculture, health sciences, engineering, business, and more. Participants can earn 12 professional development hours.



The Opening Session on July 29 features keynote speaker Morris Morrison and updates from the Kentucky Department of Education. This event is open to anyone interested in CTE. Details and registration at www.kyacte.org (Summer Program page) or contact krisstone56@gmail.com or kmstone1951@gmail.com.

Blog | Kentucky Youth Advocates

Stay informed on the latest updates from Kentucky Youth Advocates by checking out their blog! Recent additions include:

• Kentucky Ranks 36th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book as Kentucky Youth Advocates Urges Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families
• New Report – Bloom Kentucky Examines the Economic Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Kentucky and Offers Key Strategies for Prevention
• Positive Childhood Experiences: Having at Least Two Non-Parent Adults Who Genuinely Cared

Early Bird Registration | Annual Conference

The Kentucky Primary Care Association Annual Conference is October 1 -3 at the Northern KY Convention Center. This year’s theme, "From Birth to Beyond: Advancing Community Health," highlights the importance of comprehensive, patient-centered care—from maternal health and early childhood to lifelong wellness. Early bird registration ends July 30. Learn more here.

Poster Presentations | Annual Conference

The Kentucky Nurses Association’s 2025 Annual Conference is happening November 14 in Louisville, Kentucky! While speaker submissions are now closed, nurse leaders, educators, clinicians, and students still have an opportunity to share your research, innovations, and insights through a poster presentation. The deadline to submit is July 15. Learn more here. 

Expanding Free School Meals: CEP Growth and the Threat to Its Future

A new report from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), Community Eligibility: The Key to Hunger-Free Schools 2025, highlights continued growth in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-need schools to offer free meals to all students. In the 2024–2025 school year, 54,234 schools served 27.2 million students through CEP—a 15.3% increase from the previous year. Participation also rose among school districts, with 64.4% of eligible districts now enrolled.

Despite the progress, FRAC warns that proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threaten CEP’s future. Since SNAP data helps determine CEP eligibility, cuts could reduce the number of qualifying schools.

Sign Up Now for Summer EBT!

Summer can be a tough time for families to keep kids fed without school meals. Summer EBT helps by providing an extra $120 per school-aged child for groceries over the break. Last year, nearly 400,000 Kentucky children benefited.

Families earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level may qualify. Most eligible families on SNAP, KTAP, income-based Medicaid/KCHIP, or Kinship Care are automatically enrolled. Others can check eligibility at this link: FeedingKY

If your child isn’t automatically enrolled, apply by August 15 at kysebt.ky.gov.



Learn more at chfs.ky.gov, call 855-306-8959, or visit your local DCBS office.

Empowering Youth for a Tobacco-Free Future: Summer Professional Development Series

#iCANendthetrend is a youth tobacco prevention and education initiative housed within the University of Kentucky College of Education. Since its launch in 2019, their team of dedicated college facilitators has reached over 30,000 students in grades 4–12 through interactive, engaging school-based prevention presentations. Beyond their school outreach, they have continued work in research, community engagement, and youth advocacy, all aimed at supporting youth, families, and communities in living tobacco-free lives.

They are now excited to announce the #iCANendthetrend Summer Professional Development Series, by their college facilitators in collaboration with members of the high school Youth Advisory Board.

The series features two individual sessions designed to provide comprehensive education and foster discussions on the changing landscape of tobacco and nicotine products, including emerging products and use trends, support for youth who use or are at risk of using, and youth empowerment and engagement in prevention activities. While each session can be attended independently, participating in both sessions for a more in-depth understanding is recommended.

What to Expect:

Session 1 - Elevating Awareness: The Rise of Oral Nicotine Products and Supporting Youth Mental Health - Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (10 - 11:30 AM EST) 

Content:

•  Emerging Products and Use Trends
• Youth Risk Factors for Tobacco Use
• Marketing and Social Media Influence
• Health Implications
• Prevention and Quitting Strategies

Session 2 - Communication is Key: Amplifying Prevention Education, School Policy, and Youth Advocacy - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (10 - 11:30 AM EST) 

Content:

• Recap of Session 1
• Shifting Youth Attitudes
• Tailored Education Strategies
• Youth Access and Policy
• Youth Engagement and Advocacy

Upon request, a certificate of completion will be emailed to the participants. Questions and further information: icanendthetrend@uky.edu.

Please click this link or scan the QR code to register: 

https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_diBbdqXxwEDwGRo

Urgent Action Needed: Senate Advances Harmful Health Bill

Senate Republicans narrowly passed a motion to proceed on June 28, allowing debate to begin on their version of the reconciliation bill. While this clears a key procedural hurdle, several Republican senators are still expressing serious concerns, particularly about provisions that deeply cut Medicaid.

Senate leadership is pushing for a final vote. Now is a critical time to act.

Call your Senators today and urge them to vote NO.

• (866) 426-2631 (Toll-Free)
• (202) 224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard)

Don’t forget to also reach out to their district offices!

If the Senate passes this bill, attention must immediately shift to the House to prevent it from becoming law.

Need help with what to say?

Community Catalyst has set up a resource page with call scripts and advocacy tools..

Every call counts. Every voice matters. Let’s stand up and protect our health care.

GOP-backed cuts to Medicaid, food assistance would hurt their red states, say Democratic governors

Proposed Medicaid cuts could put 35 Kentucky hospitals at risk of closing

How can RFK Jr ‘Make America healthy again’? He is ignoring the two biggest killers of American children

‘Problematic’ MAHA report minimizes success of lifesaving asthma medicines, doctors say

US children struggle to catch up educationally while poverty further burdens Kentucky’s kids

Two unvaccinated babies die of whooping cough in KY as disease rise is predicted to continue

Guns kill more US children than other causes, but state policies can help, study finds

Report: Childhood trauma costs Kentucky nearly $300 million every year

Researchers call for a broader campaign to stop youth vaping that includes both health risks and underlying motives for use

Congress considers SNAP cuts as demand swells at Appalachian Kentucky food banks

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

#iCANendthetrend