Kentucky.gov

Below you will find a list of recent press releases.  Click on the title to view the full text of the press release.

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• State Launches New Child Support Website to Enhance Customer Service
  Thursday, May 17, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 17, 2012) – The Kentucky Child Support Enforcement Program (CSE) has launched a new customer service website to better assist the families it serves.
• Join Public Health for Women’s Health Walk
  Wednesday, May 16, 2012
• Kentucky continues planning for state health benefit exchange
  Wednesday, May 16, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 3, 2012)—Governor Steve Beshear today outlined the state’s ongoing efforts to prepare for the possible implementation of key provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case regarding the validity of the ACA remains pending before the United States Supreme Court, and a decision is anticipated in late June. If upheld, the state has only through the end of this year to demonstrate its readiness to run a health insurance exchange, or the responsibility will default to the federal government. Several interest groups representing employers, health care advocates, and citizens, including the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Voices for Health, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield have expressed that the Commonwealth should not allow the federal government to operate the exchange for Kentucky.
• April is National Minority Health Month
  Monday, April 16, 2012
  The Kentucky Department for Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Health Equity is working to promote National Minority Health Month during April. This year’s theme, “Health Equity Can’t Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY!” is a call to action to reduce health disparities among various minorities across the state.
• April is Child Abuse Awareness Month; Report suspected abuse and neglect to (877) KYSAFE1
  Wednesday, April 11, 2012
  April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) are reminding citizens that reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is the law.
• Madison County Event Recognizes Children in Need; Event marks Child Abuse Prevention Month
  Monday, April 09, 2012
  Richmond-area residents are invited to an event this week to recognize children in need as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Madison County Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office, part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Madison County Family Resource Centers, are sponsoring an informational event at the Madison County Courthouse, 101 W. Main St., from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13.
• Focus on Public Health
  Monday, April 02, 2012
  The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is working to promote Public Health Week, an annual observance that focuses on a critical public health issue to raise awareness and help people live longer, healthier lives.
• March Marks 50th Anniversary for State’s Radiation Health Program
  Friday, March 30, 2012
  Fifty years ago, Kentucky took a bold step in the effort to regulate the management, storage and disposal of nuclear waste in the Commonwealth, becoming the first state to sign an agreement with the Atomic Energy Commission, now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• Department for Public Health Announces First Trainings in Pediatric Dentistry
  Wednesday, March 28, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 28, 2012) As part of Governor Steve Beshear’s Healthy Smiles Kentucky initiative, the Department for Public Health (DPH) will offer free continuing education courses on pediatric dental techniques through the Access for Babies and Children to Dentistry (ABCD) program.
• Volunteerism and Service Commission Elects New Leadership; Daron Jordan of Madisonville elected chairman, DeAnna Brangers of Louisville is vice chairwoman
  Tuesday, March 27, 2012
  The Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS) recently elected Daron Jordan as commission chairman and DeAnna Brangers as vice chairwoman. KCCVS is part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Members serve faith-based and nonprofit organizations to meet critical educational, environmental and safety needs. KCCVS also administers Kentucky’s AmeriCorps national service programs.
• Application Period for Disaster Food Benefits Extended for Eight Counties; New deadline is Wednesday, March 28
  Friday, March 23, 2012
  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is extending the application period for Kentuckians living and working in eight counties that were affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather to apply for federal disaster food benefits. Kentuckians living or working in Johnson, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Pendleton and Wolfe counties who were affected by the March 2, storms and tornadoes will have until Wednesday, March 28, to apply for the disaster benefits.
• Food Benefits Still Available for Residents of 21 Counties Affected by Storms; Application deadline for most counties is Friday, March 23
  Thursday, March 22, 2012
  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) reminds Kentuckians living and working in areas affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather that they may still apply for federal disaster food benefits this week. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is providing resources to purchase food for residents of 21 counties that are part of a federal disaster declaration from the February 29 and March 2 storms. People who work in these counties and have lost income may also apply.
• March 18-24 is National Poison Prevention Week
  Tuesday, March 20, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 20, 2012) – This week, which marks the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is highlighting the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them.
• Kentucky Celebrates Environmental Health Staff
  Monday, March 19, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 19, 2012) - Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed March 19-23, 2012, Environmental Health Professionals Week in honor of the numerous registered sanitarians working across the state to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their fellow Kentuckians.
• State’s Human Services Program Reaccredited; Department again meets Council on Accreditation’s national best practice standards
  Monday, March 19, 2012
  The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) – the state’s human services agency – has been reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA is an international, independent, not-for-profit, child- and family-service and behavioral health care accrediting organization. COA officials made the announcement to CHFS in a letter last week. The reaccreditation means that DCBS’ child and adult protective services and foster care and adoption programs meet the highest national standards and deliver the best quality services to the community.
• Residents of Five Additional Counties Affected by Storms Can Get Food Benefits; Households in Grayson, Larue, Ohio, Russell and Trimble may also be eligible for replacement assistance or one-time aid
  Monday, March 19, 2012
  Kentuckians living and working in areas affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather may apply for federal disaster food benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is providing resources to purchase food for residents of 21 counties that are part of a federal disaster declaration from the February 29 and March 2 storms. People who work in these counties and have lost income may also apply. SNAP is formerly known as food stamps. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department of Community Based Services administers the program in all 120 Kentucky counties.
• Kentucky Department for Public Health Immunization Program Honored by CDC
  Friday, March 16, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 16, 2012)— The Department for Public Health’s (DPH) Immunization Program was recognized for high immunization coverage levels for a childhood vaccination series by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the national 2012 Immunization Program Managers Meeting.
• Residents of 16 Counties Affected by Storms Can Get Food Benefits; Households may be eligible for replacement assistance or one-time aid; Additional counties may be added
  Thursday, March 15, 2012
  Kentuckians living and working in areas affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather may apply for federal disaster food benefits March 16 through March 23. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is providing resources to purchase food for residents of 16 counties that are part of a federal disaster declaration from the March 2 storms. People who work in these counties and have lost income may also apply.
• State Health Department Issues Health, Safety Guidelines for Post Storm Clean-Up
  Wednesday, March 07, 2012
  The Kentucky Department for Public Health is reminding Kentuckians about guidelines for safety during post storm clean-up regarding tetanus, mold cleanup and food safety. The guidelines come after Friday’s severe storms and tornadoes that caused widespread damage, injuries and loss of life.
• Louisville Selected as ‘HeartSafe Community’
  Wednesday, March 07, 2012
  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) announced today that Louisville has become the state’s first metropolitan area to earn the designation “HeartSafe Community,” an honor set aside for communities that have met criteria to better respond to cardiac arrests.