It was a big day for the Knox County Public Schools, as they received a big check and big help in improving the well-being and health of students.
On Monday, February 19, Saint Joseph Health awarded a $50,000 grant to the Knox County Public School through a partnership with the Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunities Council (KCEOC).
The grant will be used to address an increase in students’ mental health concerns. The grant, locally being referred to as Serving our Students, will allow for KCEOC to host two mental health education programs at each school in the district. In addition, the grant funds will allow KCEOC to cover expenses for dental and vision care and mental health therapy for low-income students.
“In today’s world, our students face a myriad of challenges, and many of them stem from unmet healthcare needs,” said Jeremy Ledford, superintendent of KCPS.
“This generous allocation of dollars from CHI St. Joseph comes as a beacon of hope, particularly in the realms of mental and physical health for our students.
“It is important to recognize that health is not just about physical well-being; it profoundly impacts academic performance and social development,” Ledford continued to share to those gathered for the check presentation.
Leaders from Knox County, KCEOC, and CHI St. Joseph all echoed similar thoughts that the grant symbolizes a community coming together to uplift and empower its future generation.
“With access to proper healthcare, we can mitigate barriers that hinder their potential and ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to excel,” said Ledford.
“Investing in the well-being of our local youth is critical to fostering a healthier future for residents in the Tri-County area,” said John Yanes, president of Saint Joseph London.
“We are proud to support Knox County Public Schools and the KCEOC Community Action Partnership with their efforts to provide educational resources to address mental health and support students’ basic health needs.”
DeLisa Estes, family resource coordinator at Lay Elementary, worked on behalf of KCPS to obtain the grant. Information on how students can be referred for services will be released by school family resource centers in the near future.