Bullitt County, Ky. — August 7th, 2026— Bullitt County Public Schools has been selected to receive a SHINE KY (Strengthening Health Integration in Education) local grant from the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services to strengthen school-based behavioral health services for students.
Bullitt County Public Schools is one of eight Kentucky school districts selected to receive funding through the one-time grant initiative, which supports schools in expanding access to Medicaid- and Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)-covered behavioral health services. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
"This funding represents an important investment in the health and well-being of our students," said Dr. Jesse Bacon. “Supporting students' behavioral health is essential to their success in school and in life. This grant will allow us to expand access to services, strengthen the support available to students and families, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive."
The SHINE KY grants are funded through a $2.5 million School-Based Services Enhancement Grant awarded to Kentucky by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Kentucky was one of only three states selected to receive the competitive federal funding.
Since 2020, Kentucky's Expanded Access School-Based Health Services program has allowed participating school districts to provide school-based health services to all students at no cost to families, regardless of insurance coverage. For students enrolled in Medicaid or KCHIP, school districts may bill Medicaid for covered services, helping sustain and expand access to care.
By receiving services at school, students can access care without leaving campus, allowing families to avoid transportation challenges, missed work, or scheduling conflicts.
School districts may use SHINE KY grant funding to:
Build workforce capacity by hiring staff or providing specialized training for existing employees.
Upgrade technology, including documentation systems, Medicaid billing processes, and telehealth capabilities.
Establish or strengthen partnerships that expand behavioral health services and improve student participation.
The Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services developed the SHINE KY initiative in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Kentucky Department of Education, and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. The initiative responds to challenges identified by school districts, including workforce shortages, limited Medicaid billing expertise, technology needs, and barriers to connecting eligible students with services.
The eight school districts receiving SHINE KY grants are Bullitt County, Clark County, Henry County, Jessamine County, Johnson County, Perry County, Warren County, and Wolfe County.
Families interested in learning more about school-based Medicaid services can visit kidshealth.ky.gov or email SHINEKY@ky.gov.
About Bullitt County Public Schools
Moving Forward.