Family Support Committee

Pregnancy and postpartum are times of joy, change, and challenge. The Family Support Committee is here to uplift, guide, and stand beside mothers and families every step of the way.

about us

What we do as the Family Support Committee

Strong families are the foundation of healthy beginnings. The Family Support Committee works to ensure that women and their families receive the encouragement, resources, and care they need before, during, and after pregnancy. From improving access to community support services to strengthening partnerships between providers and families, we focus on making sure every mother in Kentucky feels informed, empowered, and never alone on her journey into parenthood.

When Support Is Missing, Risks Rise

Family support is more than emotional—it’s a critical factor in maternal health. Without it, pregnant and postpartum individuals face significantly higher risks of complications and even death.

Severe maternal morbidity—life-threatening complications during or after childbirth—affects around 60,000 women annually, with risk factors including low income, racial/ethnic minority status, and limited access to care and support systems 2

Mental health conditions, including suicide and overdose, are now the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., and are closely linked to isolation and lack of support 2

Over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, yet the country continues to lead high-income nations in maternal mortality 1

Nearly one-third of maternal deaths occur between 42 days and one year postpartum, a period when many families are left without structured follow-up or community support 1

Connecting Families to Support That Lasts

Strong families build healthy beginnings. The KyMMM Family Support Committee is working to ensure that every pregnant and postpartum person in Kentucky knows about and can access the resources they need to thrive. At the heart of this effort is the HANDS Program—a service that supports parents with education, safety guidance, and developmental tools for their children.

Educating providers on HANDS referrals

We’re equipping clinicians and community partners with the knowledge and tools to refer families to the HANDS program. Through webinars, quarterly task force meetings, and dedicated sessions at our annual conference, we’re making sure providers understand how and why to connect families to this vital resource.

Raising awareness that anyone can refer

A key message: HANDS referrals aren’t limited to healthcare professionals. Anyone—family members, social workers, educators, or community advocates—can refer a pregnant or postpartum person to HANDS. This inclusive approach helps ensure no family misses out on support.

Promoting the benefits of HANDS

HANDS is a service that offers support and education on baby care, safety, and development. It helps parents understand their child’s growth, engage in brain-stimulating activities, and access essential resources like safe sleep environments and car seats. We’re working to make sure families know what’s available—and how it can help.

Tracking outreach and impact

We’re measuring success by the number of outreach efforts, referrals made, and families who enroll in HANDS. These metrics help us refine our approach and ensure more families receive the support they need during this critical time.

Resources

Family Planning

Title X: government funded family planning/birth control clinics, sliding scale or free, all methods. Use the following website to find a clinic near you.

More Info

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to help eligible low-income households meet their home heating and/or cooling needs.

More Info

The Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program

The Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for any new or expectant parents. HANDS supports families as they build healthy, safe environments for the optimal growth and development of children.

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Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services- Women, Infants and Children’s Program (WIC)

WIC is a nutrition education program that provides nutritional counseling, breastfeeding support, education, nutritious foods, and referrals to health care services. WIC improves the health of pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

Apply Here

The Bridge Project: Enrollment for Cash Assistance Program

The Bridge Project continues to actively enroll eligible pregnant individuals and want to ensure every available slot is filled. The program aims to eliminate childhood poverty by providing support to pregnant individuals and their families financially.

Apply Here