Bracken County Health Department HANDS Program

06/25/2026

Students who qualify can attend high-wage, high-demand career programs tuition free! Don't wait, funds are limited, so visit https://workreadykentucky.com/ to learn more and apply today.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from us to you!

Our HANDS moms give so much of themselves and put forth so much effort to be the best moms they can be to each one of their babies.
We are honored to have a small glimpse into each of their motherhood journeys and are so proud of them for all they have accomplished during their time with us.🫶🏼

01/27/2026

Have we mentioned we LOVE what we do??

Last week was bittersweet as we held our 2026 HANDS Graduation!🥹
We had the best time celebrating these 3 year-olds and their families and enjoyed good food and even better company!

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to attend, with special thanks to Marcella, our former HANDS ongoing home visitor. Marcella visited with both of these families on a regular basis from their pregnancies in 2022 until her retirement in 2024, when she then passed the torch to Shasta and Gena.

Though we are sad to see our visits come to an end, we are excited to see what these kiddos and their families achieve in the future!

Thank you for trusting the Bracken County HANDS Program and for allowing us to play such a vital role in your lives over nearly the past 4 years.🤍

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose… You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”

01/12/2026

Looking to strengthen your workforce pipeline while giving back to your community?

Through the Putting Young Kentuckians to Work program, local businesses can host motivated high school students who are eager to learn, gain hands-on experience, and build real workplace skills.

Why businesses participate:
✔️ Participant wages are fully covered by the program
✔️ Reduced onboarding and training burden
✔️ Opportunity to evaluate potential future hires
✔️ Build a talent pipeline early

Flexible options are available through both summer and year-round placements, making it easy to find a fit for your business needs.

👉 Know a local business owner who could benefit? Please share this post.

For more information or to get involved, contact Katheryn, TENCO Youth Career Center Coach, at [email protected] or by calling 606.564.6197.

01/12/2026

01/08/2026

🌙 Is your child afraid of the dark? You’re not alone.

Fear of the dark is very common in kids. In fact, 45–80% of children age 12 and under experience it at some point—especially between ages 7–9. The good news? Most kids outgrow it by age 12. 💛

While this fear is exhausting for parents and distressing for kids, there are ways to help.

🤔 Why are kids afraid of the dark?

It’s often not the dark itself, but what they imagine might happen in it:
• Fear of being alone or separated
• Messages they pick up from TV, books, or conversations
• Very active imaginations
• Higher levels of worry or anxiety

🌟 Tips to help your child feel brave at bedtime:

✔️ Stay calm and confident. Your child looks to you for cues.
✔️ Praise bravery, even small wins. Make it a big deal!
✔️ Create a consistent bedtime routine and stick with it.
✔️ Teach calming tools like breathing, music, or comfort items.
✔️ Use night-lights wisely—dim is best.
✔️ Get curious instead of reassuring right away. Help them think it through.
✔️ Practice being in the dark during the day—shadow puppets, glow sticks, or candle-light play can help build confidence.

🩺 When to consider extra support:

You may want to talk to your pediatrician if:
• Your child is extremely distressed or panicking
• Sleep is consistently disrupted
• Fear affects daytime behavior
• The fear is linked to a traumatic experience

Supporting a child through a fear that feels very real to them can be challenging—but also incredibly rewarding. 💕
I hope these strategies help your child feel a little braver tonight.

✨ You’ve got this, and so do they.

11/18/2025

We are so proud to have a small part in such a large program! Message us today to learn more about what we can offer to you and your family. We would love to be your extra pair of HANDS.💜