Bracken County Health Department HANDS Program

09/21/2026

Child Passenger Safety Week is upon us! 🚗

09/21/2026

💛 RAISING KIND KIDS: KINDNESS CAN BE TAUGHT! 💛
Did you know that children can begin showing kindness at a very young age? Even babies as young as 8–12 months can demonstrate kindness by sharing food or toys with others. 🥰
Kindness is more than simply being “nice.” It includes being selfless, generous, considerate, and friendly—qualities we all want to nurture in our children.And the good news? Kindness is a skill that can be taught and practiced! 🌱
Here are some simple ways parents and caregivers can help foster kindness:
🌟 1. Be a good role model.
Children learn by watching us. Hold the door for someone, thank others, use compassionate words, and show empathy. When children see kindness in action, they learn that it matters.
🤝 2. Teach them to be helpers
Even young children can help! Let them carry groceries, put away toys, clear the table, or help a sibling. Then let them know you noticed their effort.
💬 3. Be specific with praise
Instead of simply saying “Good job,” explain what they did that was kind:“Thank you for helping your brother clean up. That was very kind of you!”
🛡️ 4. Help children feel safe
Children need to feel physically and emotionally safe in order to build healthy relationships with others. Make home a place where they know they are loved, supported, and protected.
🌈 5. Remind them that small acts matter
Kindness doesn't have to be a huge gesture. A smile, helping someone pick something up, sharing a toy, or saying “I'm happy to see you” can make someone's day.
💪 6. Teach them that kindness isn't always easy
Sometimes being kind means standing up for someone, apologizing, forgiving, or reaching out when we don't know what to say. It's okay if kindness feels difficult sometimes—the important thing is to keep trying.
❤️ 7. Teach them to be kind to themselves
Self-kindness matters, too! Encourage healthy habits, positive self-talk, forgiveness, and reminding children that making mistakes doesn't make them a bad person.

09/18/2026

🎓 BRACKEN COUNTY CAREER FAIR🚨

Ready to connect with local employers and explore your next career opportunity? Join us for the Bracken County Career Fair! 🎓💼

📅 Thursday, October 15
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM
📍 Bracken County High School
350 W. Miami Street | Brooksville, KY

Whether you're looking for your first job, a career change, or new opportunities, come meet employers and learn what’s available right here in our community! 🙌

👔 Businesses: Want to connect with potential employees? Register your business today using the QR code on the flyer or use this link: https://forms.gle/6f2E9suYEyQMkRm77!

09/18/2026

Counterfeit car seats are made with inferior materials that are unsafe. Learn how to avoid purchasing a counterfeit car seat.

09/04/2026

Super exciting things happening at BCHD!

08/05/2026

Hey Kentucky! Did you know August is National Breastfeeding Month? National Breastfeeding Month is a time to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. Encouraging individuals and communities to educate, support and uplift breastfeeding families.
To learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/php/about/index.html

08/04/2026

Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and What Parents Need to Know
Social media can help kids stay connected with friends, build support systems, and
express themselves—but too much time online can also come with risks.
Research has linked excessive social media use to:
Poor sleep
Cyberbullying
Low self-esteem
Poor body image
Increased anxiety and depression
Did you know?
• Nearly 40% of children ages 8–12 use social media, even though most platforms require
users to be at least 13.
• Teens spend an average of 3.5 hours a day on social media.
• Nearly 1 in 2 teens say social media makes them feel worse about their body image.
What can parents do?
Set healthy screen time boundaries.
Create tech-free times and spaces.
Talk openly about online safety and kindness.
Model healthy digital habits.
Social media is here to stay, but with guidance and healthy boundaries, we can help our
kids enjoy the benefits while protecting their well-being.
What boundaries or screen-time rules work best for your family? Share your ideas in the
comments!

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