CHNK CEO named to 2024 Leadership Kentucky class

Covington, KY—Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health 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 website, 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 Sanctuary Model of Trauma Informed Care 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 Ellequate for its work toward gender equity within its leadership structures.

About CHNK Behavioral Health

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

Media contact:

Brent Pieper
Chief Philanthropy and External Relations Officer
CHNK Behavioral Health
859-292-4161
bpieper@chnk.org