U.S. census data shows that 7.1 million American grandparents are living with their grandchildren under the age of 18. Some 2.3 million of those grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren.  In Kentucky, 51,762 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren, with a total of 125,706 children living in homes where a relative is head of household. As these numbers have increased over the years, so has the demands for financial and emotional security, as well as educational and behavioral support. In an effort to build strong families across Kentucky, the Family and Consumer Science Extension Department (FCS) at the University of Kentucky continues to equip service providers and kinship families with the resources to succeed.

As a part of this mission, FCS Parenting and Child Development Senior Specialist David Weisenhorn, presented at the Family Resource and Youth Services Coalition (FRYSC) of Kentucky Conference in Louisville in late November 2022 where he trained 60 FRYSCs working across the state in the Parenting A Second Time Around (PASTA) curriculum.  In addition, Dr. Weisenhorn trained 25 new FCS agents who also plan to host monthly support groups where education is provided, and resources are identified to meet the needs of those attending the groups.

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, 51 county extension offices reported hosting a kinship/parenting related workshop or course serving 4,223 participants who reported gaining useful information about parenting practices. The classes are intended to provide relative information but perhaps more importantly connect community members to local resources and too each other.  As a result of these classes, 1,927 participants reported getting support from local organizations, and 631 participants reported extending support to another parent, grandparent, or relative raising a child.

These numbers, while seemingly small, are profound.  Within one years’ time, 58 trained agents (trained last fiscal year) were able to provide education and support in 51 counties. In those 51 counties, nearly half of those who attended classes reported using local resources, and nearly half of those reported being a resource in their own communities. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to increasing the number of kinship families served in Kentucky.