This Giving Tuesday, help us:
- Build and provide beds for kids who need them.
- Provide books to families that are not close to public libraries or have children at home who are at risk of falling behind in school.
- Ensure youth-serving organization leaders and employees receive mental health supports.
- Provide families with free developmental screening for their children aged newborn – five years old to help prepare them for kindergarten.
The Need
Kentucky
40th in the country for child well-being
42nd in family and community factors
22% of children live in poverty
60% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool
44% of children enter kindergarten ready to learn (42.8% in Jefferson County)
The child care system in Jefferson County lacks space for an estimated 4,759 children whose families want care
An average of 1,177 children are born with low birthweights each year in Jefferson County which means higher chances of health conditions later in life
Jefferson County has an average of 1,634 annual births to mothers without a high school education
Indiana
24th in the country for child well-being
31st in family and community factors
16% of children live in poverty
60% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool
67% of fourth graders not proficient in reading
Sources: 2023 Kids Count Data Book, aec.org, JCPS Brigance, Louisville Metro Public Health, 2021 U.S. Census American Community Survey, MUW data analysis