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.
December 2010
An issue brief by Kentucky Youth Advocates addresses the accessibility of early childhood programs in Kentucky for children in immigrant families. Through qualitative interviews with practitioners in Kentucky, and a review of the current literature on the topic, we identify barriers preventing greater participation in early childhood programs and make recommendations for improvements.
August 2009
A basic requirement of high quality health care is the ability for health care professionals and their patients to be able to understand and communicate with each other. Despite federal law which requires health care providers to offer language access services to individuals who are learning English, many providers fall short, according to a report released today.
Executive Summary (pdf) | Executive Summary (Spanish)
Press Release (pdf) | Press Release (Spanish)
April, May and June 2008
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
September 2007
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)
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