It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Kilgore, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved”
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“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”
“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”
“Great place to work for”
“There's one thing I look for in an Agency and that's Communication, Communication covers a lot, how a Company interacts with its Clients and Their Employees if You have Happy Employees You Will have Happy Clients All the Agency wants is Happiness for All: I really Enjoy working for Always Best Care! The End????”
“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved with my family for all of those years. She has always been a part of our family, and I would trust her with any situation that should arise. Kathy is and has been a loyal friend to both me and my father. She watched all my children grow up and has always been active in their lives. If there was ever a family emergency Kathy was always there to assist with any of our needs. We treasure her friendship and know that we can always count on her support in any situation. I can honestly and highly recommend Kathy Godwin's business as a care provider. I know that all clients she receives will get the best care and attention that they deserve. I would not hesitate to use her service for my personal family.”
“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating and willing to go the extra mile and that means the world to our family. We had a lot of questions and they had all the answers. I highly recommend this company to anybody who is going through the difficulties of hospice or just needs that extra helping hand with their loved ones. 6 stars!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Kilgore, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Kilgore, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Kilgore, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Two teams with aspirations of playing for a Texas state title square off in a non-district game Friday night.Kilgore, which played for the UIL 4A Division I title last season, journeys up to Texarkana to take on Pleasant Grove. It’s also the only matchup of two ranked teams in the latest edition of The Sporting News Texas Top 25, with the Bulldogs coming in at No. 19 and the Hawks at No. 22.How to watch Kilgore (TX) at Texarkana Pleasant Grove (TX): Live stream, kickoff time for matchup between ranked teams The Bul...
Two teams with aspirations of playing for a Texas state title square off in a non-district game Friday night.
Kilgore, which played for the UIL 4A Division I title last season, journeys up to Texarkana to take on Pleasant Grove. It’s also the only matchup of two ranked teams in the latest edition of The Sporting News Texas Top 25, with the Bulldogs coming in at No. 19 and the Hawks at No. 22.
How to watch Kilgore (TX) at Texarkana Pleasant Grove (TX): Live stream, kickoff time for matchup between ranked teams
The Bulldogs enter play at 2-1, having lost to defending 4A DII champ Carthage before two impressive wins against Whitehouse and Gilmer. Pleasant Grove comes in at 3-0, and the Hawks have allowed a grand total of 16 points in three decisive wins.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Texarkana.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
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- Kilgore moves to 3-1 with a strong defensive effort in a road win, while Pleasant Grove drops to 3-1.
- Kilgore intercepts a pass with more than two minutes to go and it looks like the Bulldogs are going to come away with the road W.
- FIELD GOAL KILGORE. PG went for it on fourth down at its 40 but failed to convert. The Bulldogs then get another field goal from about 30 yards out and they're now up by 12. (Kilgore, 18-6 | 3:08, 4th)
- FIELD GOAL KILGORE. Bulldogs get a huge two-score lead with a field goal from about 35 yards out. (Kilgore, 15-6 | 9:28, 4th)
- Kilgore has the ball inside the PG 35 as the final quarter gets under way.
- PG faces a fourth down near the Kilgore 25 and goes for it. But a pass to the end zone falls incomplete and the Bulldogs hold midway through the third.
- Nick Bells breaks off a huge run, and PG has the ball inside the Kilgore 30.
- Kilgore gets into PG territory but the Bulldogs eventually have to punt. Hawks take over four minutes into the third.
- Kilgore receives the ball to start the second half.
- We're at halftime, and after giving up a long TD play, Kilgore scored two points off a blocked PAT return and has added 10 more points to lead at the break.
- FIELD GOAL KILGORE. Bulldogs go from their 1 to inside the PG 10 before the drive stalls. But they get a 23-yard field goal in the closing seconds to extend their lead to six. (Kilgore, 12-6 | :05, 2nd)
- Kilgore putting together a solid drive and the Bulldogs are near the PG 15 as Kayson Brooks scrambles on third down to move the chains. Less than a minute to go in the half.
- Pleasant Grove pins Kilgore at the 1 on a punt. Less than five minutes remaining in the half.
- TOUCHDOWN KILGORE. Bulldog QB Kayson Brooks gets a tush push into the end zone from a yard out, and the Bulldogs take their first lead of the night. (Kilgore, 9-6 | 9:22, 2nd)
- Pleasant Grove with the ball as the second quarter gets under way.
- Pleasant Grove forces a Kilgore punt and takes over in the final seconds of the period.
- TOUCHDOWN PLEASANT GROVE. Receiver Jamarion Richardson, a Baylor commit, takes a pass to the house for an 87-yard score. But the PAT is blocked, and ran back by Kilgore for two points. (Pleasant Grove, 6-2 | 3:42, 1st)
- Pleasant Grove faces a third-and-short and tries a pass. Receiver is open but the QB overshoots him a tad and the Hawks punt it away. Scoreless with 5:24 left in the period.
- Pleasant Grove marches inside the Kilgore 15 before the drive stalls. Hawks attempt a field goal of nearly 28 yards, but it is missed and the Bulldogs hold.
- Pleasant Grove receives the opening kickoff, and here we go.
- Live from Hawk Stadium in Texarkana, Kilgore’s Bulldogs get set to face the Hawks of Pleasant Grove.
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There will be only one game Friday featuring both teams currently ranked in The Sporting News Texas Top 25 poll.Kilgore, ranked No. 19 in the latest rankings, travels to Texarkana to take on Pleasant Grove, which comes in undefeated and ranked No. 22.Last season’s UIL 4A Division I runner-up, Kilgore (2-1) opened this season with a hard-fought loss to defending 4A DII champion Carthage. But the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games in strong fashion, including last week, a 66-6 home dismantling of Gilmer.Kilgore com...
There will be only one game Friday featuring both teams currently ranked in The Sporting News Texas Top 25 poll.
Kilgore, ranked No. 19 in the latest rankings, travels to Texarkana to take on Pleasant Grove, which comes in undefeated and ranked No. 22.
Last season’s UIL 4A Division I runner-up, Kilgore (2-1) opened this season with a hard-fought loss to defending 4A DII champion Carthage. But the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games in strong fashion, including last week, a 66-6 home dismantling of Gilmer.
Kilgore comes in averaging 41.6 points per game, led by quarterback Kayson Brooks, who has thrown for 661 yards on 30-of-68 passing with seven touchdowns, and running back Rayshaun Williams, who has 383 yards and four scores. Isaiah Watters and Lakeyleon Graves, a Texas State commit, head up the defense with both playing linebacker roles.
Pleasant Grove (3-0) is coming off a 49-7 road win last week at Daingerfield. The Hawks have allowed a grand total of 16 points in their three wins.
Among the players to watch for the Hawks are quarterback Colt Yancey, a move-in from Whitewright where he was an all-district player as a sophomore, defensive lineman Jaylen Foster (89 tackles and 7 sacks last season) and defensive back Jaidun Scales (73 tackles last season).
Another storyline in Friday’s matchup will be the return of Kilgore head coach Clint Fuller to Pleasant Grove, where he served as the Hawks’ defensive coordinator, including the team’s 2019 run to the state championship.
Here’s everything you need to know about Kilgore and Texarkana Pleasant Grove, including live stream information for the game.
Kilgore and Texarkana Pleasant Grove will air on Kilgore’s YouTube page, The Bulldog Media Network, and Pleasant Grove’s YouTube page, Texarkana Gameday.
The opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 19. The game will be played in Texarkana at Hawk Stadium.
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KILGORE, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) – A middle school student in Texas is recovering from serious injuries after his family says he was attacked by another student at school and had his head slammed into a metal pole.Lukas Hardeman, 14, was injured by another student in the cafeteria on Aug. 21 after Lukas’ parents said their son made a joke.Michael Hardeman, Lukas’ father, said the other student slammed his son’s head against a metal pole attached to a stool.Lukas suffered from brain injuries that re...
KILGORE, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) – A middle school student in Texas is recovering from serious injuries after his family says he was attacked by another student at school and had his head slammed into a metal pole.
Lukas Hardeman, 14, was injured by another student in the cafeteria on Aug. 21 after Lukas’ parents said their son made a joke.
Michael Hardeman, Lukas’ father, said the other student slammed his son’s head against a metal pole attached to a stool.
Lukas suffered from brain injuries that required two parts of his skull to be removed, and according to his dad, he has over 60 staples holding his head together now.
Lukas required ICU care at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.
“He’s embarrassed. He is hurt. He is struggling,” Michael Hardeman said. “But I hope when he sees … that he has a lot of family behind him. I hope that he can get to a point to where he is confident.”
Lukas’ family and other parents at the school are hoping for changes in safety measures following the attack.
Kilgore Independent School District called a special meeting for parents concerned for the safety of their children.
Ambulances were called to the schools three times since Aug. 20; twice to the middle school and once to the high school.
“For the first time, I feel nervous to send my child to middle school,” one parent said.
In a statement, the district said it could not comment on Lukas’ specific case, but assured parents that the safety of its students remains top priority.
“While the District cannot release certain details, it can — and will — communicate openly about what steps are being taken to keep our campuses supportive and safe to the extent that can be done without compromising campus security,” the statement read, in part.
Michael Hardeman said that there is a long road to recovery for Lukas, and his family is taking it day by day. He said that the family’s faith is carrying them through.
“My son is only alive today because of Jesus, and he had his hands around his heart,” Michael Hardeman said.
The teenager's dad said his son was 'embarrassed' and 'struggling' in wake of the alleged attackA teenager who cracked ‘a joke’ in a school cafeteria has had parts of his skull removed and 60 staples placed in his head after another student allegedly attacked him, according to his parents.On August 21, Lukas Hardeman, a ‘creative, loving’ 14-year-old, was allegedly attacked at the middle school he attends in Kilgore, Texas.The teenager is said to have struck his head on a stool ...
A teenager who cracked ‘a joke’ in a school cafeteria has had parts of his skull removed and 60 staples placed in his head after another student allegedly attacked him, according to his parents.
On August 21, Lukas Hardeman, a ‘creative, loving’ 14-year-old, was allegedly attacked at the middle school he attends in Kilgore, Texas.
The teenager is said to have struck his head on a stool attached to a cafeteria table after being ‘picked up and body slammed’ by someone he had made a joke to.
Lukas has since suffered ‘multiple brain bleeds and severe swelling’, according to a GoFundMe set up by his family.
After arriving at Dallas’ Children’s Hospital, doctors removed two parts of Lukas’ skull to ‘relieve the pressure and bleeding’ and also inserted 60 staples to hold his head together.
The child is reportedly ‘embarrassed, hurt and struggling’, according to his father Michael Hardeman.
In an interview with KLTV, he and Lukas' stepmom Catom thanked everyone who had already reached out to the family, saying they’d had ‘so many calls, messages and donations’.
Michael added that he believed his son was ‘only alive today because of Jesus’, alleging he had his ‘hands around his heart’.
The GoFundMe currently sits at $36,891, with the money being used to support Lukas’ ‘long road to recovery’.
“We’re asking for help to cover these costs and to give Lukas the best chance at healing. Any support means the world to us, and we ask for your prayers for Lukas’s recovery. Thank you for standing with our family during this difficult time.”
Kilgore ISD said in a statement on the incident last month: “The event from last week has left us all shaken, it was both unexpected and deeply troubling, and our thoughts and prayers remain with our student who was injured.
“No student should feel uncertain, afraid, or anxious about attending school. This week we have begun a thorough review of our campus safety measures, our district communication practices, security protocols, and programs that the District and our campuses have in place to keep everyone safe.
"KISD is committed to taking every necessary step to keep our students and staff safe, to improve upon our current safety practices, and to restore the trust of our students, parents, and Bulldog Community.”
You can donate to the child’s GoFundMe here.
KLTV reported that since August 20, ambulances have been phoned twice to Lukas’ middle school and once to an incident at Kilgore High School.
This concentrated influx of required medical attention has caused some parents to become ‘nervous’ about sending their children to school, as per the outlet.
One worried parent has directly questioned the school board, asking: “What is the district’s policy for students who repeatedly commit violence, even in alt placement? How are students and staff protected when these behaviors continue?”
Ahead of a meeting that was staged on August 25 for parents and the community to address safety concerns, Kilgore ISD School Board President Jason Smith posted a statement on Facebook.
The official reassured parents that the well-being and trust of students, staff and the wider community remained some of the District’s ‘top priorities’.
“I know that when an incident happens in our schools, families want timely and clear information,” the statement, written by Kilgore ISD School Board President Jason Smith, continued.
“At the same time, there are limits to what the District can share.”
The post cited various federal privacy laws that required the District to protect students’ and staff’s information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
“This means that while the District cannot release certain details, it can — and will — communicate openly about what steps are being taken to keep our campuses supportive and safe to the extent that can be done without compromising campus security.”
Instead, the school board said that the District will provide updates when it can, as quickly and clearly ‘as possible’ and also share what actions are being taken to protect both students and faculty members.
The third promise the Facebook post outlined was that the District would be ‘transparent’ about what it could and couldn’t disclose, whilst ‘honoring the privacy of those involved’ in situations.
“I am confident that I speak on behalf of the whole Board when I say that we appreciate your trust and understanding as the District balances transparency with the responsibility to protect individual privacy. Together, we will continue working to make Kilgore ISD a safe and thriving place for every student to learn and grow.”
More recently, 'a thorough review of our campus safety measures' was announced.
855.822.2227
