SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (AP) — When the funding for Shannon Johnson’s job as a school mental health counselor came to an abrupt end, two years into a five-year grant, she recognized the work left unfinished.
Johnson taught young students in rural Kentucky vital skills for conflict resolution, resilience, and mental health management, but her program was cut due to the discontinuation of critical federal support. Many rural districts lack the resources to provide full-time mental health services, an essential need during a growing mental health crisis among students.
The federal government’s decision to reduce funding has left schools unable to employ counselors without secure financial backing. As more than half of the counselors funded by grants leave their positions for more stable opportunities, the impact on student support becomes increasingly severe.
The Shelby County Public Schools district has opted not to replace Johnson, illustrating the financial constraints faced by many rural districts that rely heavily on federal contributions. In Kentucky, where school funding is already stretched thin, these cuts resonate deeply, particularly affecting services aimed at disadvantaged students.
Federal contributions often account for a more substantial proportion of funding in rural areas, which cannot compensate for lost revenue through property taxes. With dwindling resources, schools are forced to either cut essential services or compromise other educational opportunities.
Johnson's experiences reflect a broader trend. As mental health support dwindles due to funding cuts, rural schools like those in Shelby County must grapple with how to meet the growing mental health needs of their students with ever-decreasing resources. Educators warn that the effects of these cuts on student support will become increasingly evident in the years to come, particularly in rural areas that are already under-resourced.
Superintendent Matthews states that decisions affecting funding for mental health initiatives are ultimately detrimental to student welfare and hinder the ability of educators to provide comprehensive support. With ongoing court challenges to the funding cancellations, rural districts are left without certainty or resources needed to sustain vital mental health programs for their students.
