Immigrant & Refugee
Kentucky is the ninth fastest growing state for the foreign-born population. Children in immigrant families comprise approximately five percent of the state’s total child population and growing. There is currently a lack of research, data and voice to give context to immigrant and refugee families’ experiences in the Commonwealth.
The term “children in immigrant families” includes:
- Foreign-born children, regardless of immigration or refugee status;
- Adopted foreign-born children; and
- U.S.- born citizen children of foreign-born parent(s).
Recent Work
Kentucky Youth Advocates is conducting research to establish baseline data in terms of immigration patterns, emerging needs and policy implications for Kentucky.
- Issue Briefs on Kentucky Children in Immigrant Families. WIth support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2008, KYA presented a series of four issue briefs focusing on barriers that face children in immigrant families
- New Voices from the Bluegrass: A Portrait of Kentucky’s Children in Immigrant Families - the first statewide portrait of children in immigrant families. The study offers a glimpse into the unique challenges, opportunities, and experiences that families in Kentucky face in regards to health care access, education, and community integration.
Report | Executive Summary | Executive Summary (Spanish) Press Release | Press Release (Spanish)
- Eyes on Our New Hometown: Photographic Perspectives from Louisville’s Immigrant Youth. With the support of a Louisville Metro Office of Youth Development grant, KYA engaged twelve immigrant youth in Louisville in a youth voices project. See Photos.
Learn More