Tagged: children

Kentucky’s 17-member child abuse review panel will meet next week to begin work. A starting point for the panel could be the 55 death or near death cases recorded this past fiscal year.

The Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel was created to provide oversight to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and to make recommendations for how the cabinet can improve.

Around $5 million in nutrition education funding is changing oversight agency. The Pennyrile Allied Community Services Executive Director Judy Peterson says state officials informed the office in July that as of October 1 funding for that program would go to local health departments.

State Nutrition Services Branch Manager Fran Hawkins says the state’s 59 local health departments will teach young children healthy eating habits. Hawkins says it makes sense to run the program through the health departments, rather than PACS.

Not too many years ago, when a child went to a dietician, it was because he or she was too thin. Now, dieticians say they are seeing more overweight, and even obese children. The Centers for Disease Control found in 2010 that 1 in 7 preschool age children is obese. With extra weight comes increased health risks, and to treat a problem, it’s better to catch it early. The Purchase Area Health Education Center is working with several counties in the region to find children who may be at risk for cardiovascular problems.

Governor Steve Beshear is urging state lawmakers to approve a budget proposal that would raise the income eligibility level for public preschool to 160 percent of the federal poverty rate. Preschool in Kentucky is currently offered to 4-year-olds whose family income is 150 percent of the federal poverty level or less. Children with developmental delays or disabilities are also eligible. Beshear says more kids need to get an early start in school: