FRANKFORT, Ky. – Over $1.3 million in federal grant funding will benefit 12 organizations, including Western Kentucky University, according to the governor’s office.
According to a release Thursday by the governor’s office, the grant funding is through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program to increase public safety in the Commonwealth.
“Team Kentucky is committed to building a safer New Kentucky Home for all our people and it’s an honor to support partners across the state who work with us to meet this goal,” Beshear said. “Together, we will continue to build on the progress already made as we use this grant funding to make a meaningful difference in the safety of our people and our communities.”
The release states the State Crisis Intervention Advisory Board adopted five program areas for priority funding, including:
Court programs and court-based diversion programs
Behavioral health initiatives and crisis response
Community crisis intervention and co-responder programs and training
Suicide prevention initiatives, particularly those related to veterans and youth
Education and public awareness campaigns and gun safety device distribution
According to the release, Beshear recognized recipients of this year’s funding:
Western Kentucky University has been awarded $158,000 to implement and evaluate CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) training for 140 social work students and 100 licensed clinicians from LifeSkills and Pennyroyal Center, supporting personnel costs for a graduate research assistant, project coordinator and project director, as well as contractual training and necessary operating expenses.
Hope Center Inc., has been awarded $137,000 to hire a full-time behavioral health clinician and a full-time case manager to deliver suicide prevention services – including screening and assessment for suicide risk, substance use disorder, serious mental illness and co-occurring disorder – and behavioral health and case management services to 200 adults, including Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are at risk of suicide.
The city of Somerset has been awarded $82,500 to provide funding to hire a full-time mental health professional with the Somerset Police Department who will actively work with those in crisis by coordinating efforts among stakeholders in Pulaski County.
Maryhurst has been awarded $76,000 to support Renewal, a community-based program in Jefferson County that provides individuals and families with behavioral and mental health therapies in school, home and community settings to reduce rates of violence and suicide.
The Fayette County Board of Education has been awarded $43,900 to implement an evidence-based school violence and gang prevention program in 16 elementary schools.
“Our continued collaboration is what helps us create a safer commonwealth for all our people,” said Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson. “Any time we can support organizations who are providing services and support directly to our people, we will support them.”
For a full list of subrecipients, click here.