FRANKFORT, Ky., Nov. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Family Resource and Youth Services Coalition of Kentucky (FRYSCKy) announces the first-ever recipients of a scholarship fund for Family Resource and Youth Services coordinators (FRYSCs). Named the FRYSCKy Hero Fund, the scholarship was made possible by an unprecedented endowment of $25,000 by the managed care health plan CareSource.
The first 50 recipients will receive financial support for vital professional development. FRYSCs serve the children and families of the Kentucky schools as they work to remove nonacademic barriers to education, such as lack of health coverage, shoes, or child care.
According to FRYSCKy President Brian Akers, a FRYSC's No. 1 priority is keeping the children of the Commonwealth in school.
"Our coordinators become so focused on meeting the needs of children and their families, when it comes time to allocate funds, their own professional development often takes a backseat," Akers said. "Now, thanks to CareSource, these FRYSCs won't have to choose between resources for their students or attending training."
Community partners are vital to the work of the FRYSC, which connects children and their families with resources like health insurance, dental care, and counseling, among many other services. Akers noted that CareSource coined the scholarship's name FRYSCKy Hero Fund, a testament to the managed care company's deep respect for the FRYSC.
"We're honored to support and invest in the powerful work that the FRYSCs do for Kentucky's families," said Scott Streator, CareSource senior vice president. "They truly are heroes—they personify CareSource's mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of others by improving their health and well-being."
The first recipients of the FRYSCKy Hero Fund come from across the state. The coalition expects to award several more FRYSCs funds in the coming year.
Scholarship Recipients by Region
District; Last Name First Name; Center
Western, KY (11 recipients)
Hopkins; Byrum, Dana; STORM YSC
Hopkins; Cotton, Tonya; Hanson FRC
Hopkins; Duvall, Debrina; Pride FRC
Hopkins; Lam, Linda; South Hopkins YSC
Hopkins; Nichols, Janet; James Larmouth FRC
Hopkins; Simms, Tonja; Grapevine FRC
Murray Ind; Turner, Janeann; The Den YSC
Calloway; Wilson, Jan; Little Lakers FRC
Hopkins; Campbell, Randall; MNHHS M-Brace Ctr.
Warren; Manley, Karen; Wm. H. Natcher FRC
Daviess; Lanham, Kristi; College View MS YSC
Louisville (3 recipients)
Jefferson; Ladd, Amber; Mill Creek FRC
Jefferson; Campisano, Krista; Indian Trail FRC
Jefferson; Claypool, Lauren; Cane Run FRC
N. KY (2 recipients)
Kenton; Munich, Amanda; Taylor Mill FRC
Kenton; O'Brien, Amber; Summit View FRYSC
Lexington/Fayette (5 recipients)
Jessamine; Dodgen, Jessica; WESCARE
Anderson; Johnson, Beckey; Anderson Co. YSC
Scott; Taul, Breona; Ninth Grade YSC
Fayette; Littleton, Ebonee; Picadome FRC
Fayette; Carver, Kita; Leestown MS YSC
Central KY (9 recipients)
Boyle; Gardner, Liz; Woodlawn FRC
Pulaski; Rowlands Beth Northern FRC
Clinton; Craig, Kim; Clinton Co. MS YSC
Clinton; Pharis, Sandra; Clinton Co. FRC
McCreary; Sumner, Marlo; McCreary Central HS YSC
West Point Ind; Rains, Jessica; The Family Point
Edmonson; Sanders, Lisa; Edmonson Co. FRC
Meade; Garcia, Pat; KERAlot I
Hardin; Mason, Janelle; Lincoln Trail FRC
Eastern, KY (20 recipients)
Fleming; Bacon, Johna; Family Focus Resource Ctr.
Fleming; High, Mendy; Fleming Co. YSC
Powell; Hall, Joyce; Stanton FRC
Breathitt; O'Neill, Jackie; Marie Roberts-Caney FRC
Knott; Richardson, Pamela; Emmalena FRC
Hazard Ind; Williams, Helen; Hazard HS YSC
Leslie; Horton, Lesley; Leslie Co. HS YSC
Estill; Flynn, Michael; Estill Co. MS YSC
Estill; Stringfield, Sar;a West Irvine FRC
Knott; Smith, Shana; Hindman FRC
Leslie; Morgan, Anthony; Stinnett FRYSC
Powell; Shepherd, Mary Davis; Powell Co. MS YSC
Jackson; Bellamy, Brooke Sand Gap FRC
Bell; Fuson, Sheila; Lone Jack FRYSC
Bell; Partin, Linda; Frakes FRYSC
Whitley; Paul, Sherry; Whitley Co. North FRC
Williamsburg Ind; Stephens, Tammy; WISD FRYSC
Bell; Haley, Rosetta; Rightfork FRYSC
Jackson; Neeley, Heather; McKee FRC
Pike; Mercer, Jan; Feds Creek FRYSC
About CareSource
CareSource is one of the nation's largest Managed Medicaid plans. A member-centric, nonprofit health plan headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with a 26-year history, CareSource serves more than 1.4 million consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. CareSource is living its mission to make a difference in our members' lives by improving their health and well-being. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and works to put health care in reach for those it serves.
About FRYSCKy
The Family Resource and Youth Services Coalition of Kentucky (FRYSCKy) is a non-profit organization of professionals (including educators and human services providers) who come together to provide legislative advocacy, training and support for Family Resource and Youth Services Centers Coordinators and their staff in Kentucky. The goal of the Coalition is to promote a network that strives to remove barriers to success in school through learning from each other, sharing resources and collaborating more effectively on behalf of children, youth and families.