​​​​​​The Early Childhood Development Branch provides leadership in achieving the health goals of state early childhood initiatives through Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS), Child Care Health Consultation for Healthy Start in Child Care, Early Childhood Mental Health, First Steps (Kentucky Early Intervention System), genetics, metabolic foods and formula and KY Birth Surveillance Registry.

Approximately 21 percent of all children provided preventive health services are in need of further evaluation and treatment of a condition or problem that when detected early is less costly than if allowed to worsen over time.

It is estimated that every dollar spent on early intervention for children results in a cost avoidance of $7. The future of Kentucky depends upon the healthy development of its youngest citizens.

Early Childhood Healthy Living Curricula

On Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, more than 70 Kentucky educators and staff from the Department for Public Health met at the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College to explore the need for early childhood drug awareness and healthy living curricula in Kentucky. 

Educators provided an in-depth look at existing programs focused on educating Kentucky children on the importance of healthy living, life skills and the dangers of drug abuse. Learn more about Kentucky’s existing drug awareness and healthy living curricula programs.