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.

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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 10 Kentucky children experience the death of a parent, caregiver, or sibling by age 18 (national average is 1 in 14)
Kentucky ranks #5 in the nation for childhood bereavement rates
25% of Kentucky's bereaved children have lost a parent or caregiver to overdose/addiction death

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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

Registration now open for Camp Kesem

This free, week long camp is for children ages 6-18 who have had a caregiver diagnosed with, treated for, or who has died from cancer. Learn more here.

Grief Camp Opportunities in Kentucky

There are summer and ongoing camp opportunities for children with death loss. For children ages 9-12 who are impacted by a caregiver or relative's substance use disorder (active use or death loss), there is Camp Mariposa, with year round opportunities at Camp Burnamwood (Irvine, KY). Learn more about Camp Mariposa here. Camp Erin, sponsored by Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Kentucky for children ages 6-17, will run August 4-6, 2023 at a camp site in Bowling Green. More information and registration forms for Camp Erin are here.

Free Grief Support Groups for Children and Teens!

The KCGCF offers grief support groups for children ages 4-18 (and their caregivers) who have had a death loss. Groups meet 1st and 3rd Thursday nights from 6:15-7:30 at Tates Creek Christian Church in Lexington (3150 Tates Creek Road). Family Fun nights will also be offered for families registered for groups. Join us to begin your family's healing journey in a safe and supportive environment. Contact us to sign up for the groups.

Online Teen Grief Group: Register Today for the New Spring Session

Peer Healing is a teen-led grief support group for teens 13-18 that meets for one hour once a week for 8 weeks. KCGCF is now taking registrations for a new group starting in mid-April. Games, conversation, and connection will help teens who have experienced a death loss find a healing space and skills that will help them as they navigate their new normal. Learn more about our Peer Healing groups here.