• GHS Purple Star Liaison
  • Jennifer Basham, FRYSC Coordinator
    • jennifer.basham@warren.kyschools.us
    • 270-842-3627
• If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about someone who is, help is here
  • In January 2023, the new COMPACT Act went into effect across the U.S. The COMPACT Act is the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment legislation. The Act allows all honorably discharged Veterans who are experiencing a suicidal crisis to go to ANY mental healthcare facility for no-cost treatment. Veterans do NOT need to be enrolled to use this benefit.
  • This provision makes critical, and potentially life saving, support available to our dedicated Veteran community who have served our nation.
• The COMPACT Act allows the VA to:

  • Provide, pay for, or reimburse treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.

  • Make referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care.

• Why this matters:
  • This expansion of access to care is designed to help prevent veteran suicide by guaranteeing no-cost behavioral healthcare in times of crisis. It will also increase access to suicide care for up to 9 million veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA. 
• Don’t wait. Help is available. We are listening.
  • If someone is experiencing an emotional crisis or thoughts of suicide, 24/7 assessments are available by contacting us directly. Further, public helplines include:

    • 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7 no-cost and confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Simply call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org.

    • The Veterans Crisis Line for U.S. Military Veterans, call 988, press 1.

    • Trevor Lifeline, the only national 24/7 lifeline for LGBTQ youth, is reached at 1-866-488-7386.

Purple Star Resources for Families

• American Red Cross
  • Free confidential workshops, information, and support services to help you with the practical and emotional challenges before, during, or after deployments and transitions.
• Child Care Fee Assistance Program
  • Provides authorized Reserve and Active Duty personnel assistance in locating, selecting, and offsetting the cost of civilian child care when on-base child care is not available or a viable option for the service member and their family. The programs available through CCAoA provide subsidies for eligible military dependents enrolled in quality commercial child care programs throughout the US.
• Fort Knox – Child & Youth Services
  • Provides a variety of services including Instructional Programs; Youth Sports & Fitness; Childcare; Devers Middle School and Teen Center; Parent Central Services; School Support Services; Volunteers and Coaches; Parent and Outreach Services; Family Child Care – FCC; Child Development Center; and the Donna Kirby School Age Center.
    • 502-624-6703
• Fort Campbell – Child & Youth Services
  • Child & Youth Services (CYS) offers quality programs for children, youth and students. CYS supports the Army Family by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility.  Whenever you need it and wherever you are, CYS is prepared to make life better for Army Families. 
• Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA)
  • Provides eligible veterans and their families federal, state and local benefits which they may be entitle under law including assistance with filing claims, appeals, and VA healthcare applications.
    • Contact District 8 at:
      • 502-356-1551
      • 502-229-6070
      • 502-356-1101 or
      • www.veterans.ky.gov
• Kentucky Army National Guard – Child & Youth Services
  • The Child and Youth Program serves Kentucky National Guard-connected youth ages 6-18. Events include Summer Youth Camp, Military Child Appreciation Days, Operation Military Cheer Christmas Assistance, Kentucky Teen Council Meetings, State Symposium, Yellow Ribbon Event support, and more. Check out their Facebook page for more information. 
• Kentucky National Guard Child and Youth Services 
• Kentucky Army National Guard – Family Assistance Center
  • The Family Assistance Centers (FAC) provide a “One Stop Shop & Resource” to help family members cope with any issue they encounter as a military dependent. These centers were established to serve the needs of Service Members, Veterans, Retirees, and their Families.
    • 1-800-372-7601 (option 1) or
    • Family Assistance Coordinator: 502-607-151
• Military Child Education Coalition
  • MCEC empowers parents to become informed, proactive supporters, allowing them to make a positive impact in the needs of their children. Parent to Parent TM provides informative and interactive parent workshops to groups and organizations in the local community that addresses academic, social, and emotional issues associated with a military family lifestyle.
• Military Kids Connect
  • Military Kids Connect offers engaging tools and games. It also helps children, preteens and teens prepare for the challenges around family transitions. The site has resources parents and teachers may appreciate as well.
• Military One Source
  • A free, voluntary program with coaches who provide psychological health care support to service members, veterans, and their health care providers during times of transition
    • Contact 800-342-9649 for information.
• Operation Purple® Camp
  • A free week of summer fun open to military-connected children from all service branches including the Coast Guard, National Guard, and reserves, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Campers thrive in an environment with fully trained counselors who are experienced in helping children adapt and overcome the stressors of military life.
• Our Military Kids
  • Our Military Kids offers grants (up to $300 per eligible child) to pay for extracurricular activities for children, ages 3-18, of deployed and stateside activated National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as those of severely injured Veterans from any service branch. Grants can be used to pay for a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music lessons, tutoring, and summer camp.
• Sesame Street for Military Families
  • Our mission is to help kids grow stronger, smarter, and kinder. Workshop initiatives focus on a wide range of issues, from math skills and literacy to health, diversity, and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help kids and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits, and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning.
• Survivor Outreach Services
  • Exists to deliver on the Kentucky National Guard’s commitment to Families of the Fallen. SOS connects you with people and resources that can help you cope with your loss and move forward.
• Teen Adventure Camps
  • These high-energy camps can be great options for teens interested in adding some excitement to their summer. Whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, winter camping, backpacking, exploring the environment, running ropes courses, and practicing wilderness skills are just some of the activities military teens can do. These experiences build leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while engaging with the outdoors.
• Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS)
  • Provides comfort, care, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.
    • Call 24/7 1-800-959-TAPS (8277) 
• USA Cares
  • Provides post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training to create a foundation for long-term stability.
    • Contact 800-773-0387
• Veteran’s Club Inc.
  • Provides, connection, healing, recovery, and housing to the Veteran community through their programs including Equine Therapy, Bullets & BBQ, Coffee & Camaraderie, Jeep Off-Roading, Operation United Homefront, and Camp Restoration.
    • Contact 502-487-1464
• Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville (VCAL)
  • A comprehensive network, comprised of veterans, veteran service providers, and other community members who care about the state of veteran services and veteran relations in Louisville and surrounding counties.
• Veterans Crisis Line
  • Connects Veterans in crisis and their families with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential hotline, online chat, or text
    • Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or send a text message to 838255
• Veteran’s Resources United of Central/Southeastern KY
  • VRUCK is a coalition of representatives from veterans’ service and resource providers, advocates, and other organizations that support veterans and their families.
• Volunteers of America (SSVF)
  • Assists qualified veterans and their families at risk for homelessness with access to housing, transportation, legal aid, and income support resources.
    • Contact (502) 636-0771 
• Yellow Ribbon Resiliency Program
  • Empowers military and veteran youth to make sound decisions and take positive actions for healthy and effective living. The program is available to military-connected youth ages 10-18 who have a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver who is a current or former military (active, reserve, guard, or veteran). Classes are one hour long and are available in-person and virtual. There is no cost for youth to attend.
    • Email sjemison@sevencounties.org
• YMCA of Central Kentucky 
  • In partnership with the Armed Services YMCA, YMCAs nationwide are proud to offer memberships to eligible military personnel/families through the Department of Defense’s Military Outreach Initiative (MOI). We also offer additional military value-added membership benefits: Never pay a joining fee – a savings of $50 Special military membership rates (for those not eligible for MOI) Visit your local Y to learn more and get started at the Y.