As part of Kentucky’s broader strategy to improve educational attainment and economic mobility for low-income students, we worked alongside Kentucky leaders to ensure that more students can meet their everyday needs while pursuing their educational goals. With support from ECMC, this work is a cornerstone of Kentucky’s broader strategy to increase economic mobility and reach its ambitious goal: ensuring 60% of working-age adults hold a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. 

At The Hope Center, we know that students can’t learn, persist, or thrive when they’re hungry, housing insecure, or burdened by financial stress. Data from our Student Basic Needs Survey indicate that lack of awareness significantly interferes with students accessing basic needs supports. That’s why this partnership is especially exciting.

This collaboration is particularly promising because of what Kentucky brings to the table: a strong infrastructure, data about the state's student population, and an impressive Basic Needs Communications Network comprised of institutional leaders and basic needs staff from across Kentucky. 

Through this partnership, we built a suite of tools, strategies, and communications that will empower everyone—from students themselves to advisors to benefit navigators—to help students access the resources they need and deserve. 

Students across Kentucky have been clear that they need support navigating basic needs challenges before they reach a point of crisis,” said Arion Jett-Seals, Associate Director, Student Basic Needs at the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative. “This partnership helps us respond directly to what students shared during our student voice research in 2023. By reducing stigma, training up trusted sources, and building tools that make it easier to access help, we’re creating a stronger, more student-centered infrastructure. Supporting students’ basic needs is essential to increasing educational attainment, closing educational gaps, and encouraging economic mobility of Kentuckians."