Early on during the pandemic, officials at Northern Kentucky University recognized that many of their students would be adversely impacted by job losses and health care needs. In response, they created the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund, and raised nearly $150,000 from regional donors and community members for those in need. “The Student Emergency Fund’s creation
In August on an episode of our “Innovations in Education” web series, Prichard Committee President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey spoke to leaders in Kentucky’s early childhood education space about the positive impact that additional licensed family child care homes could have on Kentucky’s very fragile child care ecosystem. The discussion focused on the process
[wyde_heading style="2" title="Learning Through COVID:" subheading="The child care system and its workers are essential"][wyde_separator text_align="center" border_width="2px" el_width="80%" color="#00853e"] The child care ecosystem in Kentucky was already fragile before the pandemic. According to the Kentucky Division of Child Care, the number of regulated providers in Kentucky dropped from 4,400 in 2013 to 2,172 in 2020, leaving
In June 2020, child care facilities began reopening, however many of them had lost staff through the lay-off period. Some, unable to sustain facility mortgages and rentals, and staff payments through the shutdown, were closed for good. Jennifer Washburn, director of iKids in Benton, said her center that serves 80 students with 20 staff, would
[wyde_heading style="2" title="Learning Through COVID:" subheading="We need more high-quality child care options for families of all income levels"][wyde_separator text_align="center" border_width="2px" el_width="80%" color="#00853e"] The results of our child care provider survey (May 2020) and the surveys of parents and families (July 2020 and January 2021) clearly show the need for greater financial support from Congress, and
After spending 2020 in discussions with the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, in January, the group announced that it was awarding us with a $500,000 multi-year grant to fund high-level early childhood policy and practice work throughout the coming years. “The Prichard Committee has a long-standing commitment to improving education outcomes for students in the
Prior to the pandemic, the iKids Childhood Enrichment Center in Benton, Kentucky, had about 80 students enrolled, with 5 low-income students attending through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). When child care centers closed in March, iKids was able to provide in-person services to 25 of those families, including the 5 who qualified for CCAP,
The results of our child care provider survey (May 2020) and the surveys of parents and families (July 2020 and January 2021) clearly show the need for greater financial support from Congress, and for a continued substantial, engaged planning with providers at the state level. Survey results showed: As of January 2021, 46% of parents
At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, the Prichard Committee identified closing the digital divide as one of its top priorities. Today, the group applauded the House of Representatives for passage of a bill which will fund broadband deployment to unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth.
February 23, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information Contact: Jessica Fletcher, Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs (cell) 859-539-0511 jessica.fletcher@prichardcommittee.org LEXINGTON, KY - Today, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence signed on to a letter with the Education Trust in support of the U.S. Department of Education’s decision not to consider blanket waivers of