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.

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.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Please consider making a donation to keep our work going and growing.

DONATE

VOLUNTEER

Talking with Children and Teens About Frightening News and Events

Violent and frightening things happen in our world and our communities, and children look to their adults for guidance. Use this info sheet to help begin needed conversations at home when hard things happen. Families, school staff, and professionals can always contact us for more specific resources, trainings, and parent/caregiver educational materials. See more specific resources here.

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 #8 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

Mark your calendars for two special events for Grieving Children and Families Month! We have two great days with lots of fun, activities, and connection planned to honor the experiences of our families with loss.

*Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, join us for a special KCGCF takeover of the Lexington Children's Museum. Special activities and pizza lunch included. Register here!

*Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 am-12:00 pm, come to the Living Arts and Science Center and be one of the first to use the new Wind Phone for grief (Wind Phone ceremony and breakfast snacks at 9:30 am exclusively for KCGCF families). Stay for all the fun activities the Center has to offer and wind things down with a sound bath in the LASC planetarium at 11:30. Register here!