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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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• Make A Difference Day Project Collects More than 123 Tons of Food; Kentuckians donate enough to feed nearly 500,000
  Wednesday, November 18, 2009
  As Thanksgiving approaches, Kentuckians have another reason to celebrate. The statewide Make A Difference Day Food Drive yielded 123.27 tons, enough food to feed 493,087 Kentuckians an 8-ounce serving. Thanks to the strong support of Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear, this is a 74 percent increase over the amount collected in the 2008 food drive.
• Fifteen Jefferson County Families Celebrate Adoptions; 22 children join new families on Louisville Adoption Day
  Friday, November 13, 2009
  Fifteen families grew in size and in love today when the adoptions of 22 children were finalized as part of Louisville Adoption Day. Following the proceedings in Jefferson Family Court, the families celebrated at a reception cosponsored by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
• Quantities of Seasonal Flu Vaccine Diminishing in Kentucky
  Thursday, November 12, 2009
  (Nov. 12, 2009) FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Department for Public Health officials announced today that most of the seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured for this season has already been given, due to earlier, increased demand nationwide. Individuals in recommended groups for seasonal flu vaccine—including those over 65, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions—should check with health care providers in their area to see if seasonal flu vaccine is still available.
• November is COPD Awareness Month
  Tuesday, November 10, 2009
  As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is promoting the COPD Learn More Breathe Better Campaign, an effort from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Free promotional materials, including print and radio advertisements, are available for download at http://chfs.ky.gov/rdp.
• Materials Available for Colon Cancer Awareness
  Monday, November 09, 2009
  If you are 50 years old or older, it’s time to be checked for colon cancer. November is colon cancer prevention awareness month.
• Governor Proclaims November Adoption Awareness Month; Almost 800 children await adoptive homes
  Friday, November 06, 2009
  Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed November Adoption Awareness Month in Kentucky and is reminding Kentuckians to consider opening their hearts and home to the state’s almost 800 waiting children.
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services Names Deputy Secretary
  Thursday, November 05, 2009
  Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary (CHFS) Janie Miller announced today that Eric Friedlander, a longtime CHFS official, has been named deputy secretary of the cabinet. Friedlander’s most recent roles are as a policy adviser and acting commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
• Governor Beshear Announces $4 Million in Stimulus Funding for Child Care; Funding will increase training resources for child care providers
  Thursday, November 05, 2009
  Noting his continued commitment to improving early childhood education and development, Gov. Steve Beshear has announced that more than $4 million in federal stimulus funds will provide additional resources to child care providers to help them meet the needs of infants and toddlers and children in after-school programs.
• Kentucky Department for Public Health Provides Update on H1N1 Vaccine, Urges Patience
  Friday, October 23, 2009
• Governor Beshear, First Lady Launch Statewide Food Drive; ‘Make A Difference Day’ will help families in communities across the Commonwealth
  Tuesday, October 13, 2009
  Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear have announced a statewide food drive that is part of a massive national day of helping others. Gov. and Mrs. Beshear launched the Make A Difference Day food collection effort in conjunction with the launch of the new AmeriCorps service year for program members serving through the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS). KCCVS is part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
• Department for Public Health Expects More Seasonal Flu Vaccine to Be Available
  Wednesday, October 07, 2009
  (Oct. 7, 2009) FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Department for Public Health officials expect plenty of seasonal influenza vaccine to be available over the months ahead, but have received reports of temporary shortages in some areas due to early, increased demand.
• DPH Reports Two Additional 2009 H1N1-Related Deaths
  Monday, October 05, 2009
• Kentucky Department for Public Health Launches New Public, Toll-Free H1N1 (Swine Flu) Hotline
  Monday, October 05, 2009
  (Oct. 5, 2009) FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) encourages Kentuckians to call a new toll-free hotline with their questions related to 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and seasonal flu for the latest news and information about flu. The toll-free hotline number is 1(877)843-7727, and it will operate from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Information on the H1N1 virus is also readily available by visiting the redesigned Health Alerts Web site at http://healthalerts.ky.gov.
• State seeks input from families of children with special needs; Survey open online through Oct. 31
  Friday, October 02, 2009
  The state is asking for feedback from the public relating to services for children who have special health care needs. The Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CCSHCN) is seeking input this fall through a survey that will help shape the way families with children who need special services receive assistance. The survey is available online and can be completed electronically through Oct. 31.
• Kentucky AmeriCorps Launches a New Service Year; Now in its 15th year, program still getting things done
  Friday, October 02, 2009
  Last night, more than 300 first- and second-year AmeriCorps members took a pledge to get things done in Kentucky as they embark on a year of service to their fellow Kentuckians across the commonwealth. Members are assigned to one of 13 AmeriCorps state programs serving 115 counties where they will help address unmet local human service needs. About one-third of the members in this year’s class are second-year members.
• Health Care Providers Encouraged to Participate in 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccination Campaign Local Health Departments Can Assist Providers with Sign-up
  Friday, September 25, 2009
  The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is now working with local health departments to enroll private health care providers, such as physician offices and hospitals, to participate in efforts to provide 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccinations once vaccine becomes available. Interested health care providers should contact the local health department in their area.
• Commissioner of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Named
  Tuesday, September 22, 2009
  Governor Steve Beshear announced today that Stephen R. Hall, Ph.D., a national leader in the area of mental health and developmental disabilities, has been named commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
• Flu Level Raised to Widespread in Kentucky
  Friday, September 18, 2009
  The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week that the influenza (flu) activity level in the state has increased from regional to widespread. Widespread activity is the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in a state. The activity levels for states are tracked weekly as part of the CDC’s national flu surveillance system. This level of flu activity is consistent with other southeastern states that are also currently reporting widespread activity.
• African-American and Hispanic/Latino Leadership Conference
  Thursday, September 17, 2009
  “Life is Worth Saving!” is the theme of the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s (DPH) 14th Annual African-American and Hispanic/Latino Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS set for Sept. 25 and 26 at the Cincinnati Marriot Airport Hotel.
• Register Now for Third Annual e-Health Summit
  Tuesday, September 08, 2009