FRANKFORT, KY - On March 6, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear awarded more than $2.1 million to seven organizations to increase public safety.

“Creating a safer Kentucky is a top priority,” said Gov. Beshear. “These grant funds help us further that mission by providing support to those who are doing this important work in their community.” 

The recipients of this funding include Fayette County Public Schools, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Maryhurst Inc. This funding is awarded through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.

“This funding will allow us to create a safer Kentucky by providing needed resources to Kentuckians in need,” said Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson. “With local government and nonprofit partners, we can expand our reach and continue to make our commonwealth a national leader in public safety.”

Fayette County Public Schools has been awarded $111,345 and plans to use this funding to support a community treatment plan for students, as well as further funding for school resource officers and increase mental health resources for students.

“Fayette County expresses its sincere gratitude for the Byrne grant funding, which will enable the implementation of critical interventions and services for vulnerable students facing trauma, mental health challenges, substance abuse and academic barriers,” said Fayette County Public Schools Chief Student Support Officer Dedeeh Newbern. “We value this partnership and are committed to maximizing the positive impact of these initiatives.”

The Administrative Office of the Courts has been awarded $329,511 to support Mental Health Court programming.

“The Mental Health Court Intervention Project is an important initiative to enhance the Kentucky Court of Justice’s commitment to providing pathways to recovery for justice-involved individuals with mental illness,” said Audrey Collins, executive director of the Department of Specialty Courts within the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Maryhurst Inc. is a Louisville nonprofit organization that provides residential and community-based mental and behavioral health services for individuals, families and organization struggling with the effects of severe trauma. The nonprofit was award of $115,379, to further its mission.

“This crisis intervention program will undoubtedly save lives and build resilience for those impacted by violence,” said Maryhurst CEO Paula Garner. “As the commonwealth’s nonprofit sector grows in its expertise, we can more effectively partner to stop community violence.”

More information about the grant funding can be found here. 

The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities. 

Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction. More than $149 million in grant funding has been awarded to victim service agencies across the commonwealth. 

Recently, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has secured another low recidivism rate. Nearly 70% of people released from state custody over the past two years have not been re-incarcerated.

The 2023 Crime in Kentucky report, released in July of last year, indicates crime rates have remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. For the last three consecutive years, homicide rates have been declining.

In June, Gov. Beshear?announced?that the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report showed that the commonwealth saw a nearly 10% decrease in drug overdose deaths last year. This is the second consecutive annual decrease.

Click here?to review some of the additional actions the Beshear-Coleman administration has taken to support law enforcement, increase public safety and support crime victims.