Lt. Gov. announces $6 million in federal funding being awarded to SESC for student mental health

School districts in the region received some good news last week regarding the availability of crucial mental health resources for at-risk students.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has announced that the U.S. Department of Education has selected the Southeast South-Central Educational Cooperative (SESC) to receive $6 million in federal funding over five years. A press release sent out by the office of the lieutenant governor stated, “This funding will increase access to school-based mental health services for over 16,200 students.”

SESC member districts include Corbin, Williamsburg, Knox County and Whitley County, as well as other nearby districts like Barbourville, Laurel County and McCreary County. Eastern Kentucky University and the University of the Cumberlands are also members of the cooperative.

Last week’s press release stated, “SESC will use the funding to create the ACCESS Program. The funding will increase long-term access to high-quality, school-based mental health services for students attending high-need schools in the SESC region.”

For more information on the SESC, visit them online at www.sesccoop.org.