Brief │KCHC 2024 Legislative Session Summary Charts

During the 2024 Legislative Session, the Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children’s Steering Committee voted to support or oppose a number of bills, and many members were actively advocating for issues with an impact on children’s health in schools. The 2024 Legislative Session Summary Charts contains the information on these and other bills with an impact on children’s health that were seen this session. See the summary charts.

Webinar │Health for a Change: Tackling the Immunization Crisis

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is hosting a webinar on May 8 at 11 am ET that will address the issue of the rise of vaccine hesitancy, which is creating a public health crisis in our communities. The webinar will address why dropping rates of immunizations in kids should be considered a public health crisis, what policies and conspiracies are contributing to the problem, and methods and resources advocates can utilize to improve vaccine access and trust. Register here.

Advocacy Series | State & Federal Policy Updates

The ThriveKY coalition is hosting its “Advocacy For Thriving Communities Roadshow” in Frankfort on Tuesday, May 14^th from 1 pm to 4 pm ET. The session will include updates on the economy, Medicaid, KCHIP, SNAP, housing, transportation, child care, public health, behavioral health, and suicide prevention. Reserve your ticket.

Grand Rounds | The Inequity of Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences

The Bounce Coalition is hosting this free virtual learning opportunity on Tuesday, May 21st at 10:00am – 11:30am ET. It will focus on the inequity of trauma and adverse childhood experiences and how this can affect youth long-term. Register here.

Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce to Support Children’s Mental Health

ChangeLab Solutions and the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University have investigated policies with potential to expand and support the workforce for children’s behavioral health through state licensure systems, state-level Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). They have now issued two white papers and an infographic addressing the need to expand the mental health workforce and provide resources to support children’s mental health.

• Expanding the mental health workforce infographic.
• White paper: Addressing Children’s Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages Through State Licensure Systems: A Resource for State Legislators, Licensing Board Members, and Changemakers Working with Children and Families
• White paper: Addressing Children’s Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages Through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program: A Resource for State Legislators and Changemakers Working with Children and Families

Using Fun to Form Healthy Habits

Students in Rowan County Schools have more opportunities to be physically active thanks to a Healthy Schools Grant. The district recognized that while opportunities to participate in physical education classes and physical activity were available to students, this was typically not enough to keep students consistently healthy and active.

So, using materials obtained through the Healthy Schools grant, one elementary school implemented Family Fitness Fun Nights to increase awareness and opportunities to get students and their families moving more often. Community partners (Healthy Addictions CrossFit, Ashley Bowen’s Zumba, and Cassandra Chandler’s Cardio MixFit) were drawn in to help educate and inspire movement and wellness in the students.

The district reports that throughout the 2022-23 school year, the group of students and parents involved in the program increased consistently. This program is being continued this school year.

The district hopes to continue to gain buy-in from staff and expand the program to include some wellness nights.



Rowan County was one of nine districts within the state which partnered with the Kentucky Department of Education from 2018-23 in the implementation of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Schools Cooperative Agreement to develop and implement school health infrastructure, best practices, programming, and policies. Anyone with questions can reach out to Kathryn Fischer at kathryn.fischer@rowan.kyschools.us. 

Elections have consequence! Make sure your voice is heard through your vote and encourage others to register and vote!

May 21, 2024 is the Kentucky Primary Election.

The absentee portal is open from April 6 thru May 7, 2024: Kentucky Voter Information Portal.

In-person early voting is Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17 and Saturday May 18.

Check with your local Board of Elections or County Clerk for Early Voting times and locations.

Don’t forget to:

1. Check your voter registration, making sure that your name, address, phone number, email and social security number are listed and are correct.
2. Youth who will turn 18 ON or before the General Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 can register now in order to vote in the Kentucky May Primary.

To find out who will be on the ballot: https://web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilings/

36 Kentucky House and 7 Kentucky Senate seats; all 6 Congressional House seats; candidates for various judgeships; local mayoral and city council seats.

Vaping and substance use in Kentucky schools has spiked in the last five years, especially in the younger grades; up 147% overall

Kentucky’s new anti-vaping law ignites constitutional challenge

Survey shows many Kentucky parents cut other areas of spending to afford child care

Commentary: Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids

“Momnibus” bill to lower maternal mortality rates gets revived on last day of session

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 Voices for Health

Kentucky Youth Advocates

KY Parent Teacher Association – 16^th District

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