SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — When Shannon Johnson's role as a mental health counselor was abruptly cut short due to the termination of federal grants, she pondered the unfinished work left for rural Kentucky students struggling with mental health issues. Johnson educated both elementary and middle-school students on skills like conflict resolution and stress management, crucial in times when mental health resources are limited.
The discontinuation of her job was part of a broader decision by the Trump administration to end federal funding aimed at supporting mental health in educational settings. This decision left Shelby County Public Schools unable to fill her position, a move expected in many rural districts reliant on federal assistance.
Nationally, around 10% of education funding stems from federal sources, but this percentage is markedly higher in rural districts, which often cannot raise sufficient funds from local property taxes. The void created by the loss of these grants means many districts must make tough choices about which programs to cut or sustain.
“When the funding is reduced, many districts have no way to make up the lost money,” said Shelby County Superintendent Joshua Matthews, who emphasized the negative impacts this has on student services.
With many districts seeing counselors leave their positions, the effects will be felt over time—the end of these mental health programs could lead to increased absenteeism and a decline in student support systems. As Jennifer Adkins of the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative highlighted, the focus has shifted to decentralized support to ensure programs can continue even when funding is uncertain.
While some districts are exploring local partnerships to bridge the funding gap, others fear what will happen to their programs in the long run. Many educators remain concerned that cutting funding for mental health services compromises the well-being of their students, a plight becoming increasingly prevalent among rural school systems.
Without adequate mental health professionals in schools, educators worry about the future of mental wellness for students in Shelbyville and other rural districts, calling for urgent solutions to maintain essential support services amidst ongoing funding challenges.
