The Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs) were established in 1990 as part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) to address the growing social challenges that impact children’s learning, such as poverty, family issues, substance abuse, and violence. This initiative was created through a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Education and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The goal was to remove barriers to education by offering support services through collaboration between schools, families, and communities.

Initially guided by an Interagency Task Force, which developed a five-year implementation plan, the program is now overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, while the Department of Education continues to provide technical support. Over the years, FRYSCs have grown into the largest school-based family support initiative in the nation. They are widely regarded as essential to Kentucky's educational programming, helping students succeed, empowering families, and strengthening schools.