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

DONATE

VOLUNTEER

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

Resources for Teens and Students With New Loss

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.

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

Join Us for a Hands-On Healing Art Experience

Join us on Saturday, February 14 from 10-2 for an art experience for older children and teens (and their caregivers!) who have experienced loss. We will work with artist Christine Cetrulo to create fiber, print, and other art projects as our creativity flows and our feelings are supported. No charge to attend thanks to our sponsors at LexArts! Register here.

Save the Date for Our Free Training for Professionals and Those In Violence Prevention Work

The KCGCF, Partners for Youth, and other local sponsors will present this free, nationally-accredited training for a live audience in Lexington. Please save the date and pre-register here for this important event. The training will offer CEUs for professionals in social work and counseling and is also appropriate for community outreach workers, grassroots organization staff, educators and school professionals, bereavement professionals, funeral home staff, and others needing training in how to support children and families after a homicide death.