Coverings for Kids seeks to support students and their school communities throughout the Commonwealth as districts prepare for the start of the school year. We all know this year will look very different due to the guidelines that have been issued to help keep our students, educators and staff safe, as well as their families. As schools prepare for that return, we want to make sure that everyone in our school communities has the resources to be either #HealthyAtHome or #HealthyAtSchool.
For those returning to in-person instruction, face masks will be one of the biggest changes many of our students will see this year. All staff and students in first grade and above will be required to wear masks (unless they have a medical waiver). While wearing a face covering is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the First Lady and Lieutenant Governor know there are circumstances that make obtaining a mask difficult or even impossible for some people.
Through coordination with our partners, Coverings for Kids is an effort to collect mask donations – homemade or otherwise – to provide to Kentucky schools at no cost and alleviate some of the stress that some face during this time. Donations of face coverings and masks in any size, for both children and adults, will be accepted.
Please take a look at the resources on this page or search online for details on mask-making and how to donate near you. Thank you for being a part of #TeamKentucky, and for helping our kids be #HealthyAtSchool!
Visit your
school district's webpage for information on where to donate.
Have questions? Check here for answers!
Coverings for Kids is meant to help all students, teachers and staff have access to masks if they should find themselves without one or need to replace theirs. We want to ensure all schools have enough masks to protect their students and staff.
We know school resources are limited, so the hope is that this will help ease some of the burden on schools (and families) when it comes to having enough PPE on hand.
Through donations, districts and schools would be able to maintain a supply for any student, teacher or staff member who might need one. We know students (especially younger ones) may forget or lose their mask. Masks also may break, or for some reason get wet or dirty, necessitating a replacement during the school day or during school activities. Some districts may also provide masks to students who may not have an adequate supply of masks due to limited resources at home.
Distribution methods will vary among districts. It is important that we allow each school district to use donated facial coverings in whatever manner they believe will have the greatest positive impact for the children and families in their communities.
While the name of the campaign is “Coverings for Kids” (because children are more likely to forget or lose their masks), teachers and staff also need them just as much. We are asking that people donate masks in both child and adult sizes, so all who need them will have masks that fit properly, are comfortable and provide the right protection. We don’t want anyone to go unprotected because they don't have a mask. Adult-size masks are also appropriate for many students in middle and high schools.
Both! We’ve seen some great homemade masks that are just as effective as those that are store bought. People who are not as crafty are welcome to donate ready-made masks they have purchased. Either way, fun designs that kids will want to wear may make it easier for them to keep a mask on.
Most districts will have a collection point in their central office, and a point person responsible for collecting donations. To find out how to donate in your community, please find your school district in the
KDE directory. They will either have drop-off information on their site, or you can contact them directly on how to donate.
The Kentucky Department for Public Heath says masks should be washed before wearing.
Districts may either choose to wash masks prior to distribution or distribute masks with notes to families that they should be washed before wearing. For masks that are kept at school and will be worn that day, the school or district should have these washed before handing them out to students or staff. Districts may request that masks be washed before donation.
Please contact your local school district office for information on mask sanitization requirements specific to your school.
You can donate to any district anywhere across the state! The more masks, the more we can help to keep all of our communities safe.
Kentucky Hands & Voices – a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing – has partnered with the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to provide
TWO FREE ClearMasks™ per family. Only Kentucky families of children (ages 0-18) who are deaf or hard of hearing are eligible to receive the free masks, but there is a link where you can purchase the ClearMask™ if you would like to provide some to your school district. Note: The ClearMask™ is intended for
adult use for those communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.