Acting Early in Kentucky

There are a number of early intervention resources available in the state of Kentucky.

KY Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS)

The Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for any new or expectant parents. HANDS supports families as they build healthy, safe environments for the optimal growth and development of children.

HANDS will support you throughout your pregnancy and the first two years of your baby’s life. From pregnancy to the terrific twos, HANDS is here to answer all of your questions during the different stages of your baby’s growth. Families begin by meeting with a HANDS parent visitor who will discuss any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a baby’s first years. Based on the discussion, all families will receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families will receive further support through home visitation. That’s right, information is brought right to the home.

KY First Steps

First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. First Steps offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

KY Early Childhood Mental Health Program (ECMHP)

Kentucky’s Early Childhood Mental Health Program (ECMHP) provides:

  • Program and child-level consultation on social, emotional and behavioral issues to programs that serve children from birth through age 5.
  • Training on working with young children with social, emotional and behavioral needs and their families, to child-serving agencies and others.
  • Evaluation, assessment, and therapeutic services for children from birth through age 5 and their families.

KY Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC)

KY Child Care Health Consultation Program (CCHC) provides consultation and technical assistance on health, safety, and nutrition for children ages 0-5 to child care providers. Trained Child Care Health Consultants from local health departments participate in joint activities with Child Care Aware and the STARS for KIDS NOW program in their areas to ensure collaboration and coordination on issues impacting the quality of child care.

Child Care Health Consultants include Registered Nurses and Health Educators, who consult with child care providers and their families via telephone, email, or on-site to promote healthy, safe, and nurturing environments for optimal child development.

KY Parent Guides

Parents, as a child’s first and best teacher, play the most important role in giving their child the greatest opportunity to succeed. The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, has developed Parent Guides for the zero to three and three through four age groups. The guides use parent-friendly language to share tips and activities that families can use on a daily basis to encourage learning.