Ohio Governor John Kasich, made a stop in Pike County on Tuesday for the announcement of a new pilot program to provide support to local students.
In November 2017, Ohio Governor John R. Kasich met with a group of high school students from Waverly High School. They spoke of their struggles living in the home with a drug addicted family member. In response, the Kasich Administration worked to develop a pilot program in Pike County to provide enhanced community support for these young people and those facing similar circumstances.
The new program, Hurt to Hope, offers expanded programming for middle and high school students at the Pike County YMCA. This includes transportation for students to the "Y" as well as a partnership with the Cincinnati based Freestore foodbank to provide healthy snacks and meals to student participants.For those students who have been unable to get the help they need, the local ADAMH board has also developed a program that covers the cost of mental health and addiction services for residents who don’t have Medicaid or health care.
In partnership with the ADAMH Board, the state is also providing training for community leaders, faith based and religious organizations and educators to equip adults with the skills they need to best manage a situation for a child in need.
A free community training session for Trauma Informed Care will take place on Tuesday, June 5th at Waverly High School. That training session will involving information on how to deal with youths who have suffered traumatic experiences, abuse, neglect, and addiction. The session will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for those residing the Paint Valley ADAMH Board region of Pike, Ross, Pickaway, Highland, and Fayette Counties.