The Governor's Office of Early Childhood is making nearly $200,000 available to strengthen early childhood advisory councils and to promote school readiness.
The money is being divvied up in grants of nearly $50,000 each to fund four regional initiatives to improve education and health services for Kentucky's youngest citizens.
Gov. Steve Beshear announced Wednesday that Clinton, Adair, Cumberland and Russell counties will share one of the grants. Morehead State University will work with Bracken, Lewis, Lawrence and Martin counties on another. Madison, Estill, Powell and Lee counties also will receive a grant, as will Todd, Christian, Muhlenberg and Hopkins counties.
Governor's Office of Early Childhood executive director Terry Tolan said the intent is to create regional councils that include representatives from school districts, health departments, child care providers and libraries.