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Kentucky joins more than dozen states suing TikTok

Rick Wurth spreads CHNK's message

Sen. McDaniel visits CHNK

Grant County News features new CHNK location

Covington-based Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health (CHNK) opened its fourth physical location on Friday, August 9 in Williamstown.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting of The Carol and Bob Griffin Outpatient Center, named for longtime CHNK supporters, marked the expansion of CHNK’s mental health and substance use disorder services throughout the region. Joining the organization’s roster of residential campuses in Covington’s Devou Park and Burlington and outpatient center in downtown Covington, the new location is prepared to provide individual and group therapy, case management, and intensive outpatient programming. It will serve children, teens, adults, and families.

“Kentucky and the wider region are suffering from a shortage of mental health care providers, so when we saw an opportunity to help close that gap, we jumped on it,” said Rick Wurth, CEO of CHNK Behavioral Health. “Whether our clients receive care from our expert clinical team in person or via telehealth, CHNK is committed to providing experiences that are inclusive, innovative, and inspiring. We are grateful for this opportunity to reach more people in Grant County and surrounding communities who are seeking a path toward peace, healing, and well-being.”

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included Todd Moody, Grant County Schools superintendent, as well as Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Senator Chris McDaniel (R-KY), and Representatives Kim Moser (R-KY) and Stephanie Dietz (R-KY).

“CHNK’s presence in Grant County will add tremendous value to our community,” said Moody. “Grant County Schools have enjoyed a powerful partnership with CHNK, and I am thrilled that our families now have greater access to the high-quality care and support for which CHNK is so widely known and respected.”

The new location is supported in part by a $75,000 grant from the 

, a local private family foundation focused on improving quality of life for area residents. 

CHNK is currently hiring additional therapists for the new location at 103 Barnes Road in Williamstown. For more information and to apply, visit chnk.org and click “Careers.”

Established in 1880, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health is a regional leader in serving individuals who have experienced mental health disorders, addiction, abuse, neglect, or other trauma. Through a combination of outpatient and residential services, CHNK’s 140 health care professionals take a trauma-informed and family-focused approach to treatment, annually impacting more than 3,000 individuals and providing more than 30,000 services. For more information, visit www.chnk.org or call 1-844-YES-CHNK (1-844-937-2465) for treatment services.

Left to right: CHNK Chief Philanthropy & External Relations Officer Brent Pieper; CHNK Chief Programming Officer Crystal Leugers; Representative Kim Moser (R-KY); Covington Business Council Executive Director Pat Frew; SHP President & CEO and CHNK board chair Jeffrey Sackenheim; CHNK board vice chair Geoff Egbers; CHNK Chief Strategy Officer Julie Raia; Grant County Schools Superintendent Todd Moody; CHNK Chief Financial Officer Debbie Rapier.

CHNK Expands to Grant County

First Look: CHNK opens new location in Grant County

Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health welcomed Kentucky’s 58th Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman to its administrative and residential campus in Devou Park in Covington on July 17. Known for her service as an educator and politician, Coleman is also the founder and president of Lead Kentucky, a nonprofit organization focused on education reform and ensuring Kentucky's college women are prepared, encouraged, and empowered to seek leadership positions on their campuses and professionally.

During her visit to CHNK, Coleman met with CHNK executive staff to learn about the organization’s work in Northern Kentucky and throughout the region. Staff shared how CHNK is addressing needs upstream specific to mental health care services when and where they are needed and highlighted key partnerships with fellow community institutions and organizations. CHNK thanked Coleman for her service to the Commonwealth and for her advocacy in addressing youth mental health issues. As part of her work as lieutenant governor, she has been an exceptional advocate and partnered with students and education leaders to bring more than $42 million in federal funding for programs such as access to school-based mental health services.

“It is absolutely refreshing to see our local and state legislators advocating for an easier path to mental health in this current moment where youth and families are struggling significantly,” said Rick Wurth, CEO of CHNK. “CHNK has been nurtured and supported by the current administration and by our local elected officials in ways that transcend ‘politics as usual,’ resulting in Kentucky youth and families receiving services when and where they are needed.”

CHNK looks forward to continuing the conversation about partnering with Coleman’s office on youth mental health, drawing on its deep experience in providing unique services through best practices. In particular, CHNK hopes to assist with the Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing project to which Coleman was appointed, with Kentucky as one of only six states named to lead the way.

CHNK is the only licensed provider of psychiatric residential facility treatment in the Northern Bluegrass Region of the Commonwealth and the first organization to implement the internationally-known Sanctuary Model of Trauma Informed Care in Kentucky. Additionally, the nonprofit was the first mental health provider in the state to partner with a public school district to provide an on-site therapeutic day school, with the goal of diverting at-risk youth from court systems, juvenile justice institutions, and out-of-home care. 

For the first time in its nearly 150-year history, CHNK requested and received $6 million in support from the 2024-26 budget of the Commonwealth to advance its mission to create an easier path mental health for youth and families.

CHNK takes its work seriously as a critical asset to the health of Kentucky communities and the region and looks forward to continued partnerships with the public and private sectors.

Established in 1882, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health is a regional leader in serving individuals who have experienced mental health disorders, addiction, abuse, neglect, or other trauma. Through a combination of outpatient and residential services, CHNK’s 140 health care professionals take a trauma-informed and family-focused approach to treatment, annually impacting more than 3,000 individuals and providing more than 30,000 services. For more information, visit www.chnk.org or call 1-844-YES-CHNK (1-844-937-2465) for treatment services.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, right, visited with CHNK's CEO Rick Wurth, left, and other members of the organization's staff on Wednesday, July 17.

Kentucky's lieutenant governor visits CHNK

—Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/

 CEO Rick Wurth has been named to Leadership Kentucky’s 2024 class.

Wurth is among 52 Kentuckians named to the class that, according to Leadership Kentucky’s 

, will consist of seven, three-day sessions hosted in different areas across the state from June through December. Participants will learn more about the Commonwealth’s unique challenges, opportunities and resources as they meet and hear from a variety of Kentucky leaders. Session topics will include business and economic development, arts and tourism, natural resources and the environment, education, healthcare, social issues, agriculture and government.

“It’s an honor to be part of this diverse group, each of whom shares the common interest of improving their skills in leading people, organizations and missions to benefit Kentuckians,” said Wurth. “I’m looking forward to forging new connections and learning from different perspectives and sectors so I can bring thoughtful ideas back to my colleagues and better serve the people who turn to CHNK in some of their most challenging times.”

CHNK provides mental and behavioral health services, as well as treatment for substance use disorders, for children, teens, adults, and families across Kentucky and the tri-state region. A Paducah native, Wurth served as CHNK’s development director from 2010-2012 before his promotion to CEO. In his 12 years at the helm, the organization has added addiction treatment, intensive outpatient services, day treatment/partial hospitalization, psychiatric residential treatment and medication management, individual and family therapy, and a therapeutic day school operated in partnership with Covington Independent Public Schools. Additionally, CHNK’s annual revenue has increased fourfold, and client and family impacts have grown 434% in the last decade.

"Many areas of Kentucky, our region and our country are experiencing critical shortages of providers while the need is greater than ever,” said Wurth. “I am confident the valuable lessons I’ll learn with Leadership Kentucky will result in even more inclusive, innovative and inspiring care for the wide variety of people CHNK serves.”

Wurth is also one of eleven state commissioners serving on the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights which enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. Appointed in 2021 by Governor Andy Beshear, Wurth represents the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Sixth District. CHNK was the first Kentucky organization to achieve certification in the 

 and is the only entity in Kentucky to have achieved the highest certification from the National Human Rights Campaign Foundation for its culturally competent care of LGBTQ+ youth and families. CHNK has also been recognized by 

 for its work toward gender equity within its leadership structures.

Since 1880, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health has been a regional leader in serving individuals who have experienced mental health disorders, addiction, abuse, neglect, or other trauma. Through a combination of outpatient and residential services, CHNK’s 140 health care professionals take a trauma-informed and family-focused approach to treatment, annually impacting more than 3,000 individuals and providing more than 30,000 services. For more information, visit 

 or call 1-844-YES-CHNK (1-844-937-2465) for treatment services.

Chief Philanthropy and External Relations Officer

CHNK CEO named to 2024 Leadership Kentucky class

CHNK CEO Rick Wurth sits down with the Cincy Lifestyle team to share CHNK's history and the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Cincy Lifestyle interviews Rick Wurth

CHNK's board chair Jeffrey Sackenheim pens a letter of thanks to NKY's elected officials for their support of the organization's intent to improve access to mental health care.

Public-private partnership driving mental health supports

CHNK CEO Rick Wurth joined Sarah Brookbank on the May 14, 2024 edition of NKY Spotlight, a podcast of the NKY Chamber. His interview begins around the 8-minute mark.

Rick Wurth featured on NKY Spotlight podcast

Connection is a funny thing, isn’t it? Our world is arguably better connected than ever, and our day-to-day lives can be mostly managed from a device in the palm of our hands. Control plus connection equals comfort . . . right?

Unfortunately, the same technology that can offer support and mobilize resources during a crisis can also make us feel more isolated than ever. We can easily text or call someone on the other side of the world, yet it only takes a glance at social media to realize we weren’t invited to a friend’s party down the street.

Loneliness is an increasingly serious public health concern, and in a single year during the COVID-19 pandemic, 40,000 Kentuckians aged 12-17 received a diagnosis of depression; nearly 40% went without care.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take a moment to commit to our theme, “Time to Check In,” 

. While this month serves a wonderful purpose in raising awareness, mental health requires support and attention 24/7/365. Below are Mental Health Awareness Month resources that could prove to be helpful any day of the year:

Remember: Working on your mental health takes time and dedication – and not just during the month of May! Lean on CHNK as a trusted resource all year long to help yourself and the people you care about as we navigate the complexities of our ultra-connected world.

CHNK recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month with a wealth of resources, including 

 for ways to effectively and sensitively check in with yourself and those around you.

Mental Health Awareness Month 2024

Brent Pieper, Chief Philanthropy and External Relations Officer

Visit our news archive to catch up on all the latest developments and activities at CHNK Behavioral Health that you might have missed the first time around.

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