WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE EMPOWERED TO MEANINGFULLY
ENGAGE WITH THEIR GRIEF

MISSION STATEMENT

The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families supports children, youth, and families as they grieve and grow.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Grief is a natural response to loss. We provide safe and caring spaces where children and families can connect and discover their own path towards healing.

VOLUNTEER

KENTUCKY'S NEED

Kentucky’s children need dramatically increased availability and access to child and family-specific grief support services. The numbers are telling:

1 in 9 Kentucky children experience the death of a parent, caregiver, or sibling by age 18 (national average is 1 in 12)
Kentucky ranks #7 in the nation for childhood bereavement rates
25% of Kentucky's bereaved children have lost a parent or caregiver to overdose/addiction death

Learn More

Emergency/Crisis Resources

The KCGCF is not an emergency mental health resource or crisis response service. If you or your child/teen is in need of immediate help, please contact one of these sources who can assist:

Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Kentucky calls will be answered 24/7 at a community mental health center

Dial 911 for Emergency Services

Kentucky Crisis Management Resources (click for contact information on local programs by region that can refer for mental health treatment)

OUR LATEST NEWS

Children with Caregivers Impacted by Cancer Treatment or Death Can Register for Camp Kesem

Camp dates for this year are scheduled to be June 24th-29th, 2024. The link to the application and more information about the Camp Kesem program can be found here. Any families can apply for this free camp if their children are between the ages of 6-18 and have a caregiver who is either currently being treated, in remission for, or deceased due to cancer.

KCGCF Advocates in Frankfort For More Supports for Grieving Children and Teens

The KCGCF was honored to be able to present testimony to the Kentucky House Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children. KCGCF staff, FCPS staff, and a bereaved teen all presented on the impacts of death loss for children and teens and gave a call to action to build more supports statewide. Watch the testimony here. We were also glad to have WKYT cover the testimony and create their own news piece here.

New Online Grief Support Group for Young Adults Ages 18-30

The KCGCF is delighted to partner with Kate's Club in Atlanta, GA to offer young adults in Kentucky access to a free, high quality online grief support group. Click here to learn more and register.