Henderson Schools get $600K ‘Stronger Connections’ grant

HENDERSON, Ky. (WFIE) - Henderson County Schools have been awarded $600,000 from the Kentucky Department of Education Stronger Connections Grant.

Officials say the program is intended to promote local schools’ plans to create safe, healthy, and supportive schools that reflect a comprehensive set of evidence-based components.

Officials tell us the grant will allow the district to add more services to schools with the highest mental health, absenteeism, and disciplinary needs.

They say as a districtwide improvement model, all students will be reached with the implementation of new strategies and resources and by expanding the number of Mental Health Support Specialists.

Henderson is one of 28 school districts statewide to receive this grant.

With this money, they’ll be able to make sure teachers can receive extra training to deal with kids in crisis as well as day-to-day interpersonal conflicts.

AWARE Grant Project Director Yvonne Hall says most importantly, they’ll be able to add some much needed mental health support specialists to their staff.

“We currently have 8 and our elementary schools share a mental health person,” she says. “So this allows us to have three people that we have potential for losing.”

The funding kicks in next month and lasts through September 2026.

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