Elsmere council allocates $100,000 in federal funds to Children’s Home of NKY mental health services

In a effort to expand mental health services in the region, Elsmere City Council has allocated $100,000 in federal funding to the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health (CHNK).

Elsmere’s contribution to CHNK, Northern Kentucky’s leading provider of behavioral mental health services to region’s children and families, came through funding the city received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that Congress enacted in March of 2021 as part of a broader COVID pandemic relief package.

In the municipal order approved by Elsmere City Council, the city points out that local governments are permitted to spend its ARPA funding “for the purpose of responding to the public health emergency through the provision of behavioral health care … and behavioral health facilities.”

“This is money that will be tremendously well-spent,” said Elsmere Mayor Marty Lenhof. “As a retired teacher, I recognize the need for behavioral and mental health services in our schools and I know what outstanding services the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky provides to our schools and throughout the broader Northern Kentucky community.”

“CHNK is eternally grateful for the leadership and generosity of the members of Elsmere City Council, Mayor Lenof and City Administrator Dowling,” said CHNK Chief Executive Officer Rick Wurth. “Elsmere’s investment of $100,000 is critically important to our movement forward in expanding mental health services to Northern Kentucky youth and families.”

Elsmere City Administrator Matt Dowling said City Council recognized that one of the primary focuses of the ARPA funding is directly trying to assist residents who have been experiencing mental health issues due to the COVID pandemic.

“There is a growing need for the services that CHNK provides, not just in Elsmere but across the Northern Kentucky region,” Dowling said. “Unfortunately, there are some gaps in services and coverage when it comes to behavioral and mental health, and CHNK does a great job filling those gaps.”

“Unfortunately, the extended pandemic has only exacerbated the critical need for addiction treatment and mental health support in our region,” Wurth said. “Public school superintendents have asked CHNK to prepare for an exponentially higher number of students being referred to us for screenings and assessments, as well as therapeutic interventions.”

Elsmere’s contribution to CHNK follows contributions made by The City of Covington ($500,000) and the City of Union ($100.000).

“We hope other communities across Northern Kentucky step up with funding for the Children’s Home,” Mayor Lenhof said. “After all, we are all in this together.”

According to Wurth, CHNK’s innovative behavioral healthcare programs impact more than 3,000 individuals every year in Northern Kentucky through the following services:

Residential Treatment Services:

Outpatient Treatment Services:

Therapeutic Day School: (CIPS/CHNK collaboration)

Other School-Based Services: (Beechwood, Notre Dame, Ignite)

Across all programs:

City of Elsmere