GIVING

On December 12, 2025, we received notice that the state scaling grant for full-service community schools would be discontinued. A formal request for reconsideration was denied, resulting in the grant ending two years earlier than anticipated. While this outcome is disappointing, it does not change the Prichard Committee’s deep and long-standing commitment to community/partnership schools. This work both predates the federal grant and continues beyond it as a central part of our Groundswell framework—our approach to building strong, lasting partnerships among schools, families, and communities across Kentucky.

Prichard Committee's Kentucky Community Schools Initiative

Community-driven, local impact, state policy, and large-scale mindset shift.

Community schools are an evidence-based strategy to advance equity and reduce barriers to learning by providing the services needed to support student and family well-being. Through trusting relationships and well-coordinated supports, community schools ensure that students receive the health, social service, and learning opportunities they need to be successful.– Learning Policy Institute.

Kentucky Community School Initiative
Contact List and School Action Plans

DistrictSchoolDistrict Director
Bracken CountyBracken County Middle, Taylor ElementarySamatha Wilson
Carter CountyOlive Hill Elementary, Prichard ElementaryPam Kouns
Christian CountyChristian County High School, Freedom ElementaryNicole Poindexter
Clark CountyWilliam G. Conkwright Elementary, Rev. Henry E Baker IntermediateChristy Bush
Covington IndependentHolmes High School, Holmes MiddleJarrett Spisak
Danville IndependentDanville High School, Toliver IntermediateDakota Yates
Daviess CountyBurns Elementary, Burns MiddleEmmy Woosley
Dayton IndependentDayton High School, Lincoln ElementaryTracy Gentrup-Ruebusch
Fayette CountyMillcreek Elementary, Northern ElementaryCarla Mack
Hopkins CountyBrowning Springs Middle, Madisonville North Hopkins High SchoolWendy Gamblin
Jefferson CountyAcademy at Shawnee (6-12)McFerran Preparatory (Elem.)Jacqueline Johnson
McCracken CountyMcCracken County High School, Reidland Elementary SchoolMarc Mavigliano
Owensboro IndependentFoust Elementary, Owensboro MiddleBrian Benjamin
Paducah IndependentMorgan Elementary, Tilghman High SchoolAllen Treece
Rockcastle CountyRockcastle County High School, Rockcastle County MiddleJessie Mahaffey
Rowan CountyClearfield Elementary, Rowan County Senior High SchoolKellyn Poage
Scott CountyGarth Elementary, Southern ElementaryLiz Yandell
Shelby CountyShelby County East Middle, Simpsonville ElementaryNate Jebsen
Warren CountyJennings Creek Elementary, Moss MiddleBen Kirtley
Washington CountyNorth Washington Elementary, Washington County ElementaryTracy Abell

Pipeline Services
to Include

Pipeline services means a continuum of coordinated supports, services, and opportunities for children from birth through entry into and success in postsecondary education and career attainment. Each participating district will be required to increase the number of pipeline services provided to the student/family population of the target school/s. Such services shall include, at a minimum, strategies to address through services or programs (including integrated student supports) the following:

  • High-quality early childhood education programs.
  • High-quality school and out-of-school-time programs and strategies.
  • Support for a child’s transition to elementary school, from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, and from high school into and through postsecondary education and into the workforce, including any comprehensive readiness assessment determined necessary.
  • Family and community engagement and supports, which may include engaging or supporting families at school or at home.
  • Activities that support postsecondary and workforce readiness, which may include job training, internship, opportunities, and career counseling.
  • Community-based support for students who have attended the schools in the area served by the pipeline, or students who are members of the community, facilitating their continued connection to the community and success in postsecondary education and the workforce.
  • Social, health, nutrition, and mental health services and supports.
  • Juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The Prichard Committee
Groundswell-Community School Initiative Framework

  • Initial cohort of 4 districts with 2 schools each: Jefferson County, Morehead/Rowan County, and Owensboro Ind & Daviess County
  • Up to 20 additional districts, including 40 schools added in 5-years provide “proof points”
  • State and community needs-assessment, landscape analysis to determine target locations and gaps in existing service
  • Local community conversations to arrive at the unique model embraced by the school-student-family community
  • Strategic action plan coupled with financial resources to pay for local needs and innovations necessary to set up an effective full-service community school
  • State steering committee to include relevant state Cabinets and departments as well as state nonprofits, community-based organizations to take the learning from the “proof points” to inform state policy

RESOURCES

KCSI KY Effect YouTube Playlist

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