KY SIX funding initiative

KY SIX funding initiative is sponsored by Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) and Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID). This initiative expands services for children and teens in Kentucky who are at risk for, or with, serious emotional disabilities, especially those with child welfare and/or juvenile justice involvement.

Organizations launch projects to strengthen supports for children and teens across Kentucky — Foundation for a Healthy KY Organizations launch projects to strengthen supports for children and teens across Kentucky Twelve organizations across the state have received grants to better support the resiliency and well-being of Kentucky kids and teens.

The Kentucky Services and Infrastructure eXpansion (KY SIX) funding initiative is a partnership between the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID).

This initiative will expand services for children and teens who are at risk for, or with, serious emotional disabilities, specifically those who have child welfare and/or juvenile justice involvement. The projects will increase equitable access to programming like trauma-informed supports, wraparound services, and therapeutic supports.

This will help more Kentucky kids and teens have the resources they need to thrive throughout their lives. In total, approximately $1 million is being invested in the health of communities through this grant program.

The following organizations have received funding ranging in amounts from $38,000 to $100,000: Book Works Project : The Louisville organization is dedicated to helping young people succeed in school who are at risk of becoming disconnected. It will use the KY SIX funding to develop a pilot training project for youth to serve as peer facilitators of mental health listening circles.

Esperanza Latino Center : The organization is dedicated to advocating and providing services for the Hispanic/Latino and multicultural community in Northern Kentucky. The “Navegando con Esperanza” initiative (Navigating with Hope) under the KY SIX grant will increase access to trauma- and grief-informed supports for Latino youth in Northern Kentucky, particularly those with involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.

Family Nurturing Center : The Florence, KY nonprofit is dedicated to addressing child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships in northern Kentucky. Under the KY SIX grant, the center will provide trauma-informed services and supports to kids and teens, including delivering group-based trauma-focused therapy for school-age children.

Family Scholar House : The Louisville-based organization serves student parents and their children, as well as former foster youth, across the state to help them meet their educational, career and family goals. Under the KY SIX grant they will expand their “Healthy Me! ” trauma-informed wellness initiative.

This will include workshops, education and outreach, and updating the curriculum to address trauma among kids and teens with juvenile system involvement. Healing Families Together : The Danville, KY organization is dedicated to supporting families impacted by addiction. They will use the funding from the KY SIX grant to expand their prevention work in six counties, including programing in school settings.

The counties are Boyle, Lincoln, Mercer, Garrard, Pulaski, and Madison. KY Center for Grieving Children and Families : The Lexington center provides child and family-specific grief support services to central Kentucky. Under the KY SIX grant, the center will expand its School-Based Grief Support Groups in K-12 public school districts of Fayette, Madison, Clark, Franklin, and Woodford Counties.

The center will also offer parent education, consulting services for schools, and specialized training for teachers and support staff on recognizing and responding to grief and loss among students. Louisville Youth Group : The organization works with young people in LGBTQIA+ community to empower them to thrive and live a healthy life.

Under the KY SIX grant, they will provide a Wellness Facilitator to their support teams to provide counseling and crisis intervention at weekly youth groups, leadership workshops, and the Youth Leadership Council. The organization will also staff full-service mini clinics in three rural regions. Men 2 Be : The Hopkinsville, KY organization works to prepare elementary, middle, and high school-aged boys for meaningful, productive lives.

Under the KY SIX grant and through a program manager and Youth Services Coordinator, they will develop their “Tools in a Toolbox” prevention initiative that will include life skills development, mentorship, academic enrichment, and out-of-school time programs. More than a Smile Foundation : The Louisville foundation provides services and supports to first- or second-generation immigrants or refugees.

It will use the KY SIX grant to provide trauma informed clinics, workshops, wellness fairs, youth peer mentor circles, therapeutic non-clinical supports and peer support services led by youth mentors. Play Cousins Collective : The Black family collective provides nurturing and parenting techniques to address trauma and support children to thrive in Louisville and surrounding counties.

It will use the KY SIX grant to expand the “Play and Learn Labs” program which includes youth enrichment, parent support, and community engagement. Project Ricochet : The organization based in Lexington is dedicated to reducing the rate of minority youth in the criminal justice system.

The KY SIX grant will support its “Justice Served” initiative, which provides services for 12- to 18-year-olds including therapeutic non-clinical supports and peer-led healing activities in culturally safe spaces such as barbershops, salons, and youth centers throughout Fayette and surrounding counties.

Thrive Community Coalition : The eastern Kentucky coalition works towards developing healthy communities through holistic wellness in Martin, Johnson, Floyd, Lawrence, and Pike Counties. It’s initiative under the Kentucky SIX project is “Grow Well: Youth Resilience & Recovery Network. ” The project will directly serve young people ages 10 to 24, using a proven recovery support model.

This project is supported by the Kentucky Services & Infrastructure eXpansion Grant via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant # H79SM087698. There was a cost-sharing element required to receive the grants. The grant period ends at the end of 2025.

FHKY will provide technical support to the grantees throughout their projects. Ten Kentuckians recognized for their dedication to addressing unmet health needs across the state 2025 Kentucky General Assembly Recap