Friday October 17, 2025
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As part of the 52 Weeks of Public Health campaign, the  Department for Public Health, located within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS),  urges the public to take steps to avoid injury and illness during  periods of extreme summertime heat, particularly dangers associated with leaving children in vehicles.

“Extreme temperatures are cause for concern, so we advise the public to take necessary steps to keep cool and prevent harm,” said Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD, DPH commissioner. “Serious injury – particularly for children exposed to extreme levels of heat – can occur. Everyone should take steps to avoid these dangers.”

According to Kids and Cars, an organization that works to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving children in hot vehicles, 39 children died last year due to heatstroke – medically termed “hyperthermia”.

“We want all our citizens to understand the dangers of extreme heat, particularly the danger of leaving children in hot cars,” continued Dr. Polk. “Not only are extreme temperatures uncomfortable, they also present a significant health danger. This is particularly true for vulnerable populations such as young children and the elderly.”

Several measures are recommended to prevent these types of deaths from occurring. They include:

  • Create reminders.  More than half of child heat stroke deaths occur because parents and caregivers become distracted and exit their vehicle without their child. To help prevent these tragedies parents can:
    • Place a cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase, gym bag or something that is needed at your next stop on the floor in front of a child in a backseat. This will help you see your child when you open the rear door and reach for your belongings.
    • Set the alarm on your cell phone as a reminder to you to drop your child off at day care.
    • Set your computer calendar program to ask, “Did you drop off at day care today?”
    • Establish a plan with your day care that if your child fails to arrive within an agreed upon time, you will be called. Be especially mindful of your child if you change your routine for day care.
  • Don’t underestimate the risk.  The inside of vehicles can quickly heat up, even on relatively cool days, so you should never leave your child alone in a car. Don’t underestimate the risks and leave them even “just for a minute.”
  • Lock cars and trucks. Thirty percent of the recorded heat stroke deaths in the U.S. occur because a child was playing in an unattended vehicle. These deaths can be prevented by simply locking the vehicle doors to help assure that kids don’t enter the vehicles and become trapped.
  • Immediately dial 911 if you see an unattended child in a car.  EMS professionals are trained to determine if a child is in trouble. The body temperature of children rises three to five times faster than adults. As a result, children are much more vulnerable to heat stroke. Check vehicles and trunks first if a child is missing.

Additional tips are recommended to avoid other heat-related injury and illness:

  • Drink plenty of fluids. Increase your normal fluid intake regardless of your activity level. You will need to drink more fluids than your thirst level indicates. This is especially true for people age 65 or older who often have a decreased ability to respond to external temperature changes. In addition, avoid drinking beverages containing alcohol, because they will actually cause you to lose more fluid.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Choose lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothing. In the hot sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat that will provide shade and keep the head cool. Sunscreen should be SPF 15 or greater and applied 30 minutes before going out into the sun.
  • Stay cool indoors. The most efficient way to beat the heat is to stay in an air-conditioned area. If you do not have an air conditioner, consider visiting a mall or public library.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully. If you must be out in the heat, try to plan your activities so that you are outdoors either before noon or in the evening. Rest periodically so your body’s thermostat will have a chance to recover.
  • Use a buddy system. When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness.
  • Monitor those at high risk. Those at greatest risk of heat-related illness include:
    • Infants and children up to 4 years of age
    • People 65 years of age or older
    • People who are overweight
    • People who overexert during work or exercise
    • People who are ill or on certain medications for blood pressure or diuretics

Fostering Success, the summer employment initiative for Kentucky youth who are aging out of the state foster care program, is celebrating the start of its second year. At least 72 young people are expected to be involved in Fostering Success this summer. Last year, 52 completed the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) program.

Fostering Success gives older youth in foster care the opportunity to access employment, job training and leadership skills through a collaborative program that places them in entry-level positions with state government agencies.

“Very often, children who age out of the foster care system lack the social and financial management skills they need to find jobs and be productive, self-reliant adults,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “Fostering Success is one of many ways our administration is seeking to correct that. With mentoring from seasoned professionals, and an opportunity to work within state government or with respected, private sector partners, these young adults are given an excellent chance to acquire some of the hands-on experience they need to become future leaders in Kentucky.”

The summer youth employment program serves Kentucky’s foster youth between the ages of 17 and 23. Program participants must have a high school diploma or the equivalent to be selected for the 10-week employment. Half of the youth who participated in last year’s initial Fostering Success collaborative extended their employment to nine months and three of last year’s participants were offered full-time employment with CHFS.

First Lady Glenna Bevin said that foster youth might need extra guidance from a caring community as they mature.

“The transition to adulthood can be more difficult for foster children who have experienced so much instability and trauma that was no fault of their own,” said First Lady Bevin. “Fostering Success gives these youth committed role models and a community of support in addition to the invaluable job training and ‘soft skills’ they will get from a summer of comprehensive career preparation.”

Fostering Success includes summer employment opportunities in several state and CHFS offices – including the Department of Parks and the Department for Community Based Services, the Office of Legal Services and Child Support Enforcement – across the state.

Start dates are staggered during the summer months because of worksite needs and application processing time. Independent Living Coordinators, who assist foster youth who are aging out of care, will continue to recruit young people for the employment opportunity through mid-July.  Kentucky Works contractors are facilitating two-day job readiness training for the youth. Facilitators addressed areas like workplace attire, time and attendance, cell phone usage, transportation needs and meal breaks.

The program also features a mentoring component: Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) supervisors and regional Independent Living Coordinators are providing job coaching and guidance. In Jefferson County, the Orphan Care Alliance is working to connect each of the participants in that region with life coaches who will remain connected to the youth after the program ends.

In addition, program partner True-UP, a Louisville-based foster youth support organization that collaborated with the inaugural Fostering Success program in 2016, is expanding its financial literacy and employment retention training to Elizabethtown and Lexington.

“Work readiness skills are so valuable, yet they can be more difficult to obtain for foster children, who may experience many more barriers to independence during their transitional years,” said CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson. “I am so proud that my agency continues to collaborate with businesses, organizations like True-UP and other state agencies to help our foster youth develop skills to improve their lives.”

Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey said Fostering Success is cultivating new talent for the state’s changing workforce.

“For Kentucky to reach its full economic potential, we will need the talents, leadership and hard work that exists currently in our state’s youth,” Labor Secretary Ramsey stated. “Fostering Success is laying the foundation between a trained workforce and employers, and we will continue to seek areas where we can grow this pipeline for industries in need. In the end, this summer program can be a winning formula for everyone involved.”

DCBS Commissioner Adria Johnson said there are more than 8,500 children with active placements in out of home care in Kentucky.

“Foster youth who are aging out of care can face a lot of challenges,” Johnson said. “The transition to adulthood is more complex without a permanent family as a resource. Fostering Success is part of a network that gives these older foster youth connections to get help when they need it and to see a positive future for themselves.”

Courtney Parr, a Fostering Success participant assigned to the DCBS Central Office in Frankfort, said her aspirations for a career in social services are reinforced by her immersion in the summer employment program.

“I wanted to participate in the program because not only was I a former foster youth but I have developed a passion for the social work field and am currently working on my degree in social work,” she said. “I love seeing the other side of the foster care system. After the 10 weeks, I hope to have an opportunity to continue my internship here while I continue my studies at Kentucky State University, where I am currently a junior.”

Tonya Bailey is the Independent Living Coordinator for the 15-county Northeastern Region, which includes Morehead and Ashland, said she was “thrilled” when Fostering Success was established last year – her region had seven youth in the inaugural program.

“This summer, the Northeastern Region’s 12 Fostering Success participants are working in DCBS and other CHFS offices,” concluded Bailey. “The opportunities the youth have been given through the Fostering Success Program is nothing short of amazing.”

Bailey said two youth from last year’s program returned this year, and she envisions a couple of current participants applying for permanent cabinet positions.

Within the DCBS offices, the youth perform clerical tasks similar to an office support assistant, like directing phone calls, filing, preparing documents and assisting administrative assistants. They also get a closer look at how Division of Protection and Permanency staff works to keep children safe and secure.

For more information about Fostering Success and the Kentucky foster care program, call 1-800-232-KIDS (5437).

Photo: CHFS

As part of the 52 Weeks of Public Health campaign, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), along with local health departments across the state, is reminding the public about the potential for rabies exposure from contact with infected wildlife.

Wildlife rabies cases, primarily in bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes, have been identified in the U.S., and these result in human and animal exposures requiring thousands of human rabies post-exposure treatments and animal euthanasia or quarantines.

“Rabies is relatively rare in the U.S., but a dangerous, and often life-threatening condition, if contracted,” said Kelly Giesbrecht, state veterinarian with DPH. “We want to highlight the importance of rabies prevention and control efforts in our communities, while also reminding Kentuckians of the existing dangers of coming into contact with rabid wildlife. They should not be handled or treated as pets to avoid possible rabies exposure.”

Rabies, a viral disease of humans, pets and wild animals, is transmitted from animals to humans by the saliva of a rabid animal, usually from a bite. State law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets maintain a current rabies vaccination. In Kentucky, there have been no human rabies cases from exposure to a rabid dog since dog vaccination became required by law in 1954. For more information about rabies, visit the DPH website at http://www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/rabies.htm.

“We want the public to understand that rabies is still a serious public health concern, and we need to do everything we can to prevent it,” said Dr. Giesbrecht. “It is extremely important that we vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets in order to maintain this invisible barrier between rabid wildlife and humans.”

Contact bites from bats are the most common source of rabies exposure to humans in the United States. To minimize the risk for contracting rabies, it is best never to handle any bat. To prevent bats from entering your home, carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats to enter the residence. Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch could allow for bat entry. These openings should be blocked either with stainless steel wool or caulking in the fall or winter so you do not unintentionally trap bats within your home. Common ways for bats to enter homes include down the chimney, through openings around the chimney, through vents, through openings behind shutters, under doors, under siding, under eaves and under shingles.

There is no known medical cure for rabies once clinical symptoms are present. Symptoms include strange sensations at the site of the bite from a rabid animal, hallucinations and fear of water, all of which are quickly followed by death.

It is estimated that more than 59,000 people around the world die from rabies each year. Worldwide, more people die from rabies than from polio, diphtheria and yellow fever combined.

Gov. Matt Bevin is urging all Kentuckians to help beat back the opioid epidemic with a new public awareness campaign that highlights the dangers of opioid abuse and offers information on drug treatment and naloxone.

The campaign, launching this week, combines web content with statewide advertising to drive home a simple message: “Don’t Let Them Die.” The theme encourages Kentuckians to recognize the inherent value of human life – even in the grip of addiction – and take proactive steps to help their friends, family and communities overcome this crisis.

One way all Kentuckians can help: Learn about the risk of opioid abuse and spread the word.

“We don’t have the luxury of pretending there isn’t a problem,” said Gov. Bevin. “Every life is worth saving. There is not a person we would not want to see redeemed and removed from this addiction, and it is up to all of us to work together and find solutions.”

Lethal overdoses claimed more than 1,400 lives in Kentucky last year, a 7.4 percent increase from 2015. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, was a factor in 623 deaths, while heroin contributed to 456 deaths.

The highest number of fatalities occurred among people ages 35 to 44, followed by ages 45 to 54. Kentucky currently has the third highest overdose rate in the country, and a recent study showed that 80 percent of heroin users start with prescription opioids.

“Behind each number is a suffering soul and a wounded family that has often struggled with substance abuse for decades,” said Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley. “However, we also hear stories almost every day of hope and recovery. That’s why it’s essential that every Kentuckian joins this battle to preserve life. With the right support and resources, we know recovery is possible.”

As part of the campaign, radio and television ads that feature audio from a harrowing 911 call will begin airing statewide over the next week. The anguished voice on the phone belongs to Nikki Strunck, a mother from Richmond, Ky. who discovered her son, Brendan, dying from an overdose in January 2016.

While the initial ad seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of opioids and the human toll of addiction, future ads are expected to focus on resources and treatment. The 30-second spots were purchased through the Public Education Partnership Program, which is administered by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.

Along with advertising, the governor’s office has established www.DontLetThemDie.com, a website with information about opioids, treatment and the overdose antidote, naloxone. Officials plan to continue updating the website as new initiatives are announced.

Building upon their own successes, two of the city’s major players in Louisville’s IT education marketplace have cracked the code of how to strengthen their students’ work-ready skills.

Jefferson Community & Technical College and Code Louisville announced today a collaboration that provides Jefferson students credits for courses completed through the Code Louisville web development program.

“Web development is one of our high-growth, high-demand sectors, providing jobs with a future that you can support a family on,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “In an increasingly competitive job market, this partnership gives Louisville students more accessibility to securing a career in software development.”

The courses Jefferson offers align perfectly with Code Louisville’s classes and will provide a seamless transition to completing a credential.

Each 12-week Code Louisville course is worth three credit hours towards a Jefferson certificate or degree in Computer and Information Technology. This means a student can take one course at Jefferson plus three Code Louisville courses and earn a Programming Certificate or be well on their way to completing the Software Development Specialization sequence as part of an associate’s degree.

“As the community’s college, it is up to us to ensure our community’s employers have the workforce they need to grow their business, and, in turn, grow Louisville’s economy,” said Jefferson president Dr. Ty Handy. “Jefferson is expanding its Computer and Information Technology programs to keep up with the demand and we are eager to break ground on a new IT facility that will foster an exponential increase in developers.”

Jefferson’s plan for a new Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology Center was recently approved by the governor’s Work Ready Skills Committee. The group appropriated more than $15 million for construction and the college is looking to raise several million more. It could open as soon as Spring of 2019.

Code Louisville, a free training program of KentuckianaWorks, was launched in late 2013 to expand the pool of web developers in the region. Students learn web development using the latest technology and practices. Aided by expert mentors and online software, students complete coding projects and build portfolios of their work. More than 500 students have graduated Code Louisville with a quarter of those now in new jobs or advancing with their current employer.

“Virtually every business is now a ‘technology company’ and Code Louisville is designed to quickly provide people the skills that employers are demanding,” said Michael Gritton, executive director of KentuckianaWorks. “Partnering with Jefferson will help individuals launch strong technology careers and help our region’s employers keep pace with their rapidly growing and changing technology needs.”

For more information about Code Louisville, including applying for courses, hiring graduates or mentoring students, visit codelouisville.org. For more information about the IT classes offered at Jefferson, visit www.jefferson.kctcs.edu/academics/programs_of_study/cit.

Students attending kindergarten this school year will have the opportunity to receive free dental screenings and school supplies beginning Saturday at Kindergarten ReadyFest.

The annual festival, which is hosted by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and the district’s southwest cluster of Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, will be held from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at Farnsley Middle School (3400 Lees Lane).

ReadyFest kicks off a series of back-to-school events sponsored by JCPS and various community partners, including Neighborhood Place and the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services, that provide free school and health supplies to students.

Kindergarten ReadyFest features music, games and other activities for students and their families. JCPS representatives will be on hand to provide students with free workbooks and supplies, help families complete paperwork for free and reduced school meals, let students take a ride on a school bus and schedule appointments for free uniforms through the Clothing Assistance Program. Students will also be able to receive a free dental screening, which is required for incoming kindergarteners.

Additionally, Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) representatives will be available to sign students up for library cards and share information about LFPL’s summer reading program.

The first day of school for JCPS students is August 16.

2017-18 Back-to-School Events List

The following events are free and open to the public. Students must be accompanied by an adult to receive supplies, and supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Saturday, July 15, Kindergarten ReadyFest at Farnsley Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    • Located at 3400 Lees Lane. The following schools will also be participating in the festival and will provide information about dress codes and school supplies: Auburndale, Brandeis, Cane Run, Carter, Dixie, Eisenhower, Engelhard, Foster, Frayser, Greenwood, Gutermuth, Hazelwood, Jacob, Johnsontown, Kennedy, Kenwood, Kerrick, Layne, Medora, McFerran, Mill Creek, Rutherford, Sanders, Shacklette, Stonestreet, Trunnell, Watson Lane, Wellington and Wilkerson.
  • Thursday, July 27, Valley High School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Located at 10200 Dixie Highway.
  • Saturday, July 29, Emmanuel Assembly of God Church, 6 – 8 p.m.
    • Located at 5701 Johnsontown Road.
  • Thursday, August 3, Academy @ Shawnee, 1– 4 p.m.
    • Located at 4018 West Market Street.
  • Friday, August 4, Cochran Elementary, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Located at 500 West Gaulbert Avenue
  • Saturday, August 5, Lighthouse Community Center, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Located at 5312 Shepherdsville Road.
  • Saturday, August 5, Meyzeek Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Located at 828 South Jackson Street
  • Saturday, August 5, Southwick Community Center, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Located at 3621 Southern Avenue.
  • Thursday, August 10, Olmsted Academy North, 1 – 7 p.m.
    • Located at 4530 Bellevue Avenue.
  • Saturday, August 12, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Located at 4401 Rangeland Road.
  • Sunday, August 13, Cane Run Elementary, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Located at 3951 Cane Run Road.

Photo: Louisville Free Public Library

Have you ever worried about your child and drugs? Have you wondered what you can do to stop this problem before it starts? Are you worried that someone you love may be using drugs?

The Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the Louisville Free Public Library will offer a course Heroin Hurts Louisville: What We Can Do to help parents, grandparents and caregivers with valuable insights as to why adolescents use drugs, how to start the dialogue about the dangers of substance abuse, and how to act quickly if someone they love is at risk of using. The 90-minute class is free. Registration is required. Phone 574-1623 to register.

Initially, two dates have been scheduled for this class. The first is Tuesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library at 301 York St.  If people aren’t able to attend the July class they can sign up for the class to be held on Saturday, August 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Library at 9725 Dixie Highway. The course is taught by a certified drug and alcohol counselor.  It includes educational information, video testimonies from young people and facilitated discussion. Participants will receive a toolkit with information and available resources

“In Louisville, 285 of our neighbors, friends and family members died of a drug overdose in 2016,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental deaths in Louisville and all of Kentucky. These classes represent one step in helping us understand and prevent opioid abuse in our community.”

“Many of our initiatives to battle the opioid epidemic in Louisville have, by necessity, been reacting to the needs of people suffering from the disease of addiction, and protecting our community from infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C,” said Public Health and Wellness Medical Director Dr. Sarah Moyer.  “But it’s also important that we take proactive steps to prevent substance abuse in the first place. These classes are a first step.  If we get a good response, we expect to add more classes at more locations.”

“We are very happy to be able to provide a place for these important classes,” said James Blanton, Director of the Louisville Free Public Library. “We hope that these classes are well-received and that we are able to hold similar classes in other library locations.”

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