Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership

04/20/2026

Deadline to apply is coming up soon! Enroll for free to give your kids a head start in school.

Now enrolling for no-cost school prep! ✨

PRI is helping Kentucky families get ready for the first day of school with Waterford Upstart, a free at-home early learning program that helps young children build skills in reading, math and science with fun online lessons that fit your busy schedule in just 20 minutes a day.

This summer program for rising Kindergarteners and 1st Graders starts May 2026.

🏫 Learning that works for you — morning, afternoon, or evening
💻 A live, virtual orientation and personalized coaching for your family

97% of families recommend this program to help children start school with confidence from the comfort of home. And kids love it!

Programs like this help families build strong early learning foundations so all young people in Appalachian Kentucky can start school ready to learn.

Seats are limited! Enroll by April 26 at https://signup.waterford.org/Upstart or call 1-888-982-9898.

04/07/2026

Now enrolling for no-cost school prep! ✨

PRI is helping Kentucky families get ready for the first day of school with Waterford Upstart, a free at-home early learning program that helps young children build skills in reading, math and science with fun online lessons that fit your busy schedule in just 20 minutes a day.

This summer program for rising Kindergarteners and 1st Graders starts May 2026.

🏫 Learning that works for you — morning, afternoon, or evening
💻 A live, virtual orientation and personalized coaching for your family

97% of families recommend this program to help children start school with confidence from the comfort of home. And kids love it!

Programs like this help families build strong early learning foundations so all young people in Appalachian Kentucky can start school ready to learn.

Seats are limited! Enroll by April 26 at https://signup.waterford.org/Upstart or call 1-888-982-9898.

02/20/2026

Big progress is happening in Letcher County Public Schools!

In a new guest blog, district leaders share how their evolving attendance strategy, supported through the Appalachian Attendance Collaborative, helped reduce chronic absenteeism from 61% to 33%. By strengthening connections, leveraging student voice and building comprehensive supports, the community is helping more students stay engaged and show up ready to learn.

We are proud to partner alongside districts doing the hard, thoughtful work to support student success across Appalachia.

🔗 Read the full story: partnersrural.org/connecting-with-our-students-through-humor

02/09/2026

Applications are now open in Appalachia for The Bridge Project, an unconditional cash program for pregnant moms. Selected participants receive cash support to help cover everyday expenses during pregnancy and early childhood, no strings attached.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive reliable financial support during an important time for your growing family! If you’re expecting, now is the time to apply.

Learn more and apply: bridgeproject.org/apply

12/05/2025

Don't forget to register by Dec. 10 to save your spot!

📢 Exciting opportunity for Kentucky’s rural champions!

Don't miss the upcoming webinar, Why Rural Matters: Kentucky, happening December 11 at 11 AM ET.

Dr. Jerry Johnson will walk through findings from National Rural Education Association's National Why Rural Matters report, with a special focus on what the data means for Kentucky’s students, educators, and communities. It’s an important opportunity to better understand the needs and strengths of rural Kentucky and how we can work together to drive meaningful change.

Be sure to register by 1 PM ET on December 10 to save your spot. A Zoom link and calendar invite will be sent to all registered participants.

👉 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg_zCLq-vYRT9x91q6_d3D2_8bovu9Nb6KfmiDmRlbs-4h5w/viewform

12/01/2025

📢 Exciting opportunity for Kentucky’s rural champions!

Don't miss the upcoming webinar, Why Rural Matters: Kentucky, happening December 11 at 11 AM ET.

Dr. Jerry Johnson will walk through findings from National Rural Education Association's National Why Rural Matters report, with a special focus on what the data means for Kentucky’s students, educators, and communities. It’s an important opportunity to better understand the needs and strengths of rural Kentucky and how we can work together to drive meaningful change.

Be sure to register by 1 PM ET on December 10 to save your spot. A Zoom link and calendar invite will be sent to all registered participants.

👉 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg_zCLq-vYRT9x91q6_d3D2_8bovu9Nb6KfmiDmRlbs-4h5w/viewform

11/08/2025

🔬 It’s STEM Day, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing another incredible opportunity for Appalachian students?

The Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge, hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), is accepting applications for its 2026 summer program!

Students selected will:
🧬 Conduct hands-on research alongside leading scientists
💻 Explore real-world STEM challenges
🚀 Gain experience that could shape their future careers

Applications are open now through Dec. 3.
Encourage a student you know to apply today!

👉 Learn more and apply: https://www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/stem/

The Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge is a residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia's middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields.

11/07/2025

🌟 Big opportunities ahead for Appalachian students!

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy — an incredible summer learning experience for high school students across Appalachia.

Participants will:
💡 Explore entrepreneurship and innovation
🌱 Learn how to turn ideas into action
🌍 Develop leadership skills to make an impact in their communities

Applications are open now through Dec. 3.
Let’s help our Appalachian youth step into their future as creators, innovators, and changemakers!

👉 Learn more and apply: https://www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/aea/

ARC’s Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) is a learning experience designed to cultivate creativity and develop skills for entrepreneurial success for high school students across the Appalachian Region.

11/05/2025

We are grateful to have Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College as a partner of the APPC2C, and we can't wait to celebrate their 65th anniversary with them!

Southeast is turning 65! 🎉

It’s hard to put into words what this milestone means for our college and our communities. For 65 years, Southeast has opened doors of opportunity, changed countless lives, and built a legacy of learning right here in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky.

We’ll celebrate together with a special anniversary banquet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Harlan Center—a night to honor our past, our people, and our purpose.

Admission is free, but we invite guests to bring a nonperishable food item to support Southeast’s student food pantries as we continue our tradition of helping one another.

Please RSVP to Tiffany Hampton at 606.589.3083 or [email protected].

I hope to see you there as we celebrate 65 years of Southeast—and the many more still to come. 💙

11/04/2025

“Strong families make strong communities.” — Dr. Felicia Smith, President & CEO, National Center for Family Learning

We’re thrilled to join our friends from Rockcastle County at the National Center for Family Learning conference, learning alongside inspiring leaders who share our commitment to strengthening families and communities.

📸 Pictured: Mary Ann Keck, Savanna Howell, Superintendent Dr. Carrie Ballinger, Jenny Sweet, and Cherry Boyles with NCFL.