SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. — Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS) celebrated a major milestone ahead of the 2026–2027 school year on Wednesday, August 5th, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the new BCPS McKinney-Vento HEART House. The facility stands as a tangible reflection of the district’s core values, designed to provide comprehensive support, warmth, and dignity to vulnerable students and families in the community.
During the opening remarks, Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon addressed the gathering of community members, district leadership, and local partners, highlighting how the new facility aligns directly with the district's foundational principles.
"As we head into the upcoming school year, this facility exemplifies what our core values truly mean—specifically that Students Matter Most and that we share a Shared Accountability for their success," said Dr. Bacon. "Working together, we can ensure that every single student in our district has the opportunity to achieve success, no matter the circumstances they face."
Dr. Bacon gave special praise to Tiffany Reynolds, coordinator of the district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Resource Team (HEART), recognizing her relentless advocacy and dedication to serving the district's most vulnerable youth. When faced with challenges, Reynolds stood firm in her commitment to the students, declaring her vision for the program. She then went directly into the community, working tirelessly to turn that vision into reality.
Removing Barriers to Success
The McKinney-Vento program exists to eliminate non-academic barriers for students and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability so every child has an equal opportunity to thrive. In the 2025–2026 school year alone, the HEART team provided vital support to 474 BCPS students.
Through dedicated advocacy and collaboration with community partners, the McKinney-Vento program delivers a comprehensive suite of wrap-around services to ensure student stability and success, including:
Basic Needs & Sustenance: Food support, basic needs assistance, and holiday assistance.
Academic & Enrollment Stability: Advocacy and educational support, transportation to remain in their school of origin, and assistance with document retrieval and school enrollment.
Health & Well-being: Mental health support and coordination for medical appointments.
Family Support & Navigation: Housing and community referrals to help families achieve long-term security.
A Beacon of Hope, Dignity, and Community
The HEART House represents hope, compassion, dignity, and a unified community that refuses to let students navigate difficult circumstances alone. Built to feel like a true home rather than an office, the new facility features:
Living Room: A welcoming space for families to meet with support staff in comfort and privacy.
Kitchen & Dining Area: Equipped to assist families with nutrition resources and dynamic support.
Laundry Room: On-site washers and dryers to ensure students have clean clothing and essentials.
Learning Room: A dedicated, quiet study area equipped with learning materials and technology for students.
"The HEART House is a testament to what happens when a community rallies behind its children," said Tiffany Reynolds. "It represents hope, compassion, dignity, and a commitment that no student in our district will ever have to face hardships alone."
Driven by Community Generosity and Support
The creation of the HEART House was made possible through extraordinary community support, accumulating donations and grants totaling $181,550. District leadership extended an abundance of gratitude to the local businesses, organizations, and grant partners who rallied to make the project possible. As noted by Reynolds, "Every room in the house, every gallon of paint, every piece of furniture, every appliance, and every hour of service contributed tells a story of generosity for children and families they may never meet."
For more information about the BCPS McKinney-Vento HEART program or how to support local students, visit the Bullitt County Public Schools website. (https://www.bullittschools.org/page/mckinney-vento)