In the rural Appalachian region of Kentucky, efforts are growing to ensure children have a strong educational start.
Studies show that attending a high-quality preschool before kindergarten can improve a child’s well-being and financial future. However, many children in rural areas lack access to programs like Head Start.
Alissa Taylor, the Kentucky state director for Save the Children, highlighted innovative efforts in eastern Kentucky communities. In Whitley County, for example, a reading room has been set up at a local shelter. This gives children from families without stable housing a quiet place to study and learn.
“This is a space where children and families can relax, read, and do their homework, providing an environment similar to home, which many might not have otherwise,” Taylor explained.
According to the National Rural Education Association, nearly one in seven rural students lives in poverty, one in 15 lacks health insurance, and one in 10 has moved residences in the past year.
In Perry County, Taylor noted how a community steering committee quickly responded to flooding in the summer of 2022. This helped get children back into classrooms faster than in neighboring areas.
“The community’s quick response was possible because the committee was already in place before the flood,” Taylor added.
Nick Carrington, managing director of community impact for Save the Children, pointed out the systemic challenges rural children face, particularly in early childhood education.
“Rural areas have been historically underfunded,” Carrington said. “Only 7% of philanthropic dollars go to rural communities, which make up more than 20% of the national population.”
Federal data shows that over half of rural families with children under 5 live in areas lacking access to childcare.
