KVC Behavioral HealthCare Kentucky, Inc. (KVC Kentucky) is excited to be hosting holiday activities for the children and families served by KVC Kentucky across Central, Eastern and Northeastern Kentucky. The holiday activities began in 2006 in our Lexington office for children served in the Fayette and surrounding sixteen Counties. These activities provide an opportunity for the organization to engage children in fun, holiday-centered activities in a therapeutic environment during their winter school break. Children ranging in age from 3 to 18 have participated in these activities throughout the years and even the most skeptical teenager has walked away with a huge smile on their face.

Children are accompanied to the events by their behavioral health clinician or case manager and are encouraged to participate with their peers in activity stations including ornament and picture frame crafts, cookie decorating and shopping in “Santa’s Store,” where a collection of new and gently-used items, such as books, hats, scarves, toiletries, picture frames, board games, coffee mugs, and home décor are available to choose as gifts for their parents or caregivers. There is also a large wrapping station with brightly-colored bows and ribbon for children to wrap their items for gifting.

Three years ago, KVC Kentucky expanded its services to the Eastern Kentucky Region through Diversion Services, a program funded by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services designed to provide in-home services to families who children are at risk of removal for abuse and neglect. KVC Kentucky also expanded their holiday activities to the Hazard Kentucky office and over the years has had more than 75 families participate together in this joyful event.

At the same time, KVC Kentucky expanded its services to Northeastern Kentucky and began providing Family Preservation Services to the FIVCO (Boyd, Carter, Lawrence, Greenup and Elliott Counties) area. The turnout for last year’s holiday activities was so big that participation has outgrown KVC’s Ashland office space.

Each year, KVC Kentucky continues to grow and expand. With the award of eight new Family Preservation and Reunification Services Contracts and the expansion to 59 Counties across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, KVC Kentucky is privileged to have the opportunity to serve thousands of children and families over the next year.