Kentucky Coalition For Healthy Children Newsletter
Issue 2 | July 2022
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.
KCHC Member Highlights
On July 7, 2022 the 9-8-8 101 Webinar is being offered from Noon – 1:00 p.m. by Megan Cole, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – KY Chapter and Marcie Timmerman, Mental Health America of Kentucky. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Tune in and learn all that you need to know about the roll-out on July 16th of the National 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Line. 

Catch ThriveKY, “a coalition of organizations who pursue systemic change to assure that the commonwealth meets the basic needs of every Kentuckian” led by KCHC executive partner Kentucky Voices for Health, on the road this summer as they give state and federal policy updates on issues impacting the health and wellbeing of Kentuckians. The event should provide you with skills to advocate for public assistance programs through a strong safety net. Learn more about ThriveKY here.

Join the Lexington- Fayette County Health Department and the Bounce Coalition for this screening of "Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope," a one-hour documentary that discusses the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), and a panel discussion with local experts. The in-person event starts at 10 a.m. on July 21st. Info on where to go and the RSVP can be found in the link above.

Check out this blog post from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky on health challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth and adults and watch the June Health for a Change webinar on being better advocates for transgender Kentuckians.

Join ThriveKY for a forum with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services August 2, 2022 at 2pm.
What's New in Children's Health

Health Affairs recently published this piece outlining recommendations for applying lessons on childhood food insecurity learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; innovations described include enabling data cross-program data matching and coupling food insecurity screening with community-based organizations’ food resources for families.

Use this Toolkit from the Public Health Communications Collaborative to guide your organization’s communications on the updated CDC recommendations on COVID-19 vaccinations for children. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

This brief provides an overview of the experience of state government and advocacy organizations in Louisiana “as they developed and implemented a health equity framework in Louisiana OST meal programs.” 

This brief discusses the relationship between early childhood and child welfare systems and features recommendations for facilitating better coordination between the two systems. 

Review information and resources from the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s new Healthy School Meals for All toolkit for advocates. The toolkit includes academic research, case studies, messaging guidance, and more. 
Take Action!
Child hunger is always an issue in Kentucky, with nearly 1 out of every 5 kids struggling with hunger at some point during their childhoods. However, due to the end of pandemic flexibilities in child feeding programs as well as statutory changes, the problem is likely to affect more children than in previous years.

One important way to protect Kentucky families this summer is by encouraging food donation. Help Feeding Kentucky reach its goal of distributing 3 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and approximately 150,000 pounds of protein items through the Farms to Food Banks program this year. Any Kentucky farmer growing and producing at least 28 crops or agricultural products is eligible to participate in the program. Reach out to local farmers and encourage them to apply.
Another way is to contact your congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor the SNAP Plus Act of 2021, which would end the prohibition on using SNAP benefits to purchase prepared foods from grocery stores. 
Special Edition: PTA Advocacy
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) held its 125th Anniversary Convention June 14-19, 2022, which included the PTA Hill Day Experience. The National PTA has issued the 2022 PTA Capitol Hill Day Ask: Community Safety and Youth Violence Prevention brief, which contains summary information on child and youth safety, mental health, nutrition, and education system funding, along with recommendations on legislative initiatives and bills at the federal level. 
 
In terms of addressing the child and youth mental health crisis, the PTA urges Congress to include in any mental health package this year language that: 
 
● Ensures all students have access to mental health resources at school and in their community, 
including targeted support for underserved populations and children experiencing trauma 
● Encourages schools to adopt practices that establish safe, supportive and inclusive learning 
environments for all students 
● Promotes social and emotional learning, including resources for families to support this critical 
practice at home 
● Extends the pipeline of school-based mental health professionals and allows for schools to be 
reimbursed for services through Medicaid 
● Provides support services for whole families impacted by addiction. 
Related to Nutrition, the PTA stipulates that Congress must pass a Child Nutrition Reauthorization package this year that: 
 
● Ensures school meals are healthy and nutritious for growing children and teens, consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
● Enables schools to successfully transition after the pandemic back to following the evidenced-based meal patterns through higher reimbursement rates, administrative flexibilities and technical assistance around production, procurement and preparation 
● Encourages schools to adopt student wellness policies with the input of families and provide adequate time for kids to eat and play
In Case You Missed It
Cook With Us!
Follow along as we make healthy, kid-friendly recipes with a focus on seasonal ingredients.


Combine and freeze your favorite yogurt and summer fruits for a simple and refreshing snack for kids and adults alike.
Contact Us!
Do you have an upcoming event or exciting news to celebrate with our coalition? Please email Chloe Atwater at Catwater@healthy-ky.org to be featured in an upcoming KCHC Newsletter!
Amalia Mendoza | KCHC Newsletter | 502-326-2583
amendoza@healthy-ky.org | www.kentuckyhealthychildren.org
Current KCHC Steering Committee Member Organizations: