Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Adam Meier announces a new partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education to improve the physical and mental well-being of Kentucky’s youth called Kentucky CARES.
Photos by Mike Marsee, Dec. 3, 2019
(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) are collaborating on a framework to improve the physical and mental well-being of Kentucky’s youth, called Kentucky CARES.
Kentucky CARES is a grassroots prevention campaign aimed at addressing the risk and protective factors associated with multiple forms of youth violence in schools, homes and communities.
“This platform seeks to empower students, parents and caregivers, educators and mentors to engage with youth to promote resiliency and reduce vulnerably and violence,” said CHFS Secretary Adam Meier. “By promoting engagement and participation with and among youth, Communities are Acting to Reach, Engage and Support (CARES).”
Students are uniquely positioned to lead this campaign by starting and participating in programs that encourage positive peer engagement and reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services.
“I have encountered thousands of talented, caring students in my travels to schools across the state, and I am truly excited to see the ideas they can bring to the table to problem solve some of the biggest issues facing our schools,” said KDE Commissioner Wayne Lewis.
Visit the CHFS Kentucky CARES website for program ideas. The website also contains resources for parents and caregivers, as strong family support is integral to youth success.
In conjunction with the launch of Kentucky CARES, CHFS received final approval for a Medicaid state plan amendment that will increase health services in schools.
“The Medicaid state plan amendment will allow school districts to seek additional federal fund reimbursement to expand access to qualifying physical and mental health services for students enrolled in Medicaid,” CHFS Deputy Secretary Kristi Putnam said.
Senate Bill 1, the comprehensive school safety legislation passed in the 2019 General Assembly, set goals for addressing behavioral health needs. However, the law did not include a dedicated funding stream to provide the services. It is anticipated that the expansion of the state plan amendment will provide opportunities to assist with a portion of SB 1 funding needs for eligible services and students.
The change to Medicaid will be phased-in during the current school year, and approval for eligible direct services reimbursements to school districts is retroactive to Aug. 1. Examples of services that could be covered include: physical and behavioral health screenings, immunizations, dental care, speech therapy supports and mental health
counseling.
CHFS and KDE are developing additional guidance that will be available to school districts on program requirements and operating procedures. More information is available on the CHFS website.
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