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

A number of Kentucky schools have experienced student deaths in recent weeks. Teens can access resources through our website, and this info sheet for grief in teenagers can be helpful. School staff and professionals can always contact us for more specific resources, trainings, and parent/caregiver educational materials.

Resources for Teens and Students With New Loss

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 #6 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

New Grief Support Group Partnership for University of Kentucky Students

The KCGCF is delighted to partner with several departments at UK to offer a peer-led, facilitated support group for students with death losses. Registration open now! Click here to learn more and sign up.

Bowling Fundraiser Tickets Now Available!

Come join us on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 1-4 pm for connection, bowling, food, and fun! All proceeds support the grief support and education work the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families does with youth in Kentucky. The event will be hosted at Southland Lanes, 205 Southland Drive, Lexington. If you can't attend, we also invite you to purchase tickets to allow a program family or child to participate in the event for free. Buy your tickets here!

Bowling Fundraiser Flyer 24 with QR and link.png

KCGCF Wins FCPS Golden Apple Award

The KCGCF was honored to receive a 2024 Golden Apple Award given by Fayette County Public Schools. Golden Apple Awards are presented to "high-performance community partners that provide an exceptional commitment of time, energy, and expertise to individual schools or the Fayette County district through mentorships and varied programs and initiatives." We are so proud of the incredible work our school group facilitators have done with students from elementary through high school and grateful for the partnership with the district.