Some area school districts will benefit from a program launched Monday by the West Kentucky Educational Cooperation (WKEC) and Murray State University to help expand mental health services.
Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman presented the $3 million funding for the Partner & Connect program.
The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will be around for five years and seeks to expand school-based mental health services by helping train 30 new employees. Which Gretchen Wetzel, Executive Director of WKEC, said is desperately needed.
Wetzel added there will be plenty of continuing education moments for those in the program.
Mental health issues among students became a big topic of conversation after the COVID-19 pandemic. Lt. Governor Coleman said the Team Kentucky Student Mental Health Initiative, which includes 14 Kentucky high school students, has been tackling the issue during Governor Andy Beshears’ administration.
Sarah Akin, School Counselor with WKEC, said a common factor for youth to develop resiliency is having at least one stable and committed relationship with a supported parent, caregiver, or other individuals.
That ratio is nowhere near where it should be at Christian County Public Schools, one of the schools included among the fourteen. The list also includes Caldwell and Lyon County Public Schools and the Dawson Springs Independent School District.
Superintendent Chris Bentzel said his district, with around 8,000 students, has only four mental health therapists, meaning the ratio is one therapist for every 2,000 students. Bentzel said they hope to get two additional therapists with the help of this program.
Bentzel added his therapists are spread thin and the need is more prevalent daily.
The Partner & Connect program will help pay the full tuition if you are a minority and have a low income and join the program. It will pay three-fourths if you are a minority or have low income, and half of the tuition if you are a resident of one of the districts included in the program.
For more information on the program, you can contact Ann Samons with WKEC. She can be reached by email at Ann.Samons@WKEC.org.
