John Paul II Catholic School School to Receive Prestigious Kentucky Purple Star Award for Supporting Military Families

John Paul II Catholic School has earned Purple Star Award Designation from the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, making it one out of a growing number of Schools to receive the award in the Commonwealth.  The Purple Star Program is part of the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities’ Strategies to strengthen the resiliency of Kentucky’s military-connected youth and ensure that their social, emotional, and academic needs are met. According to the 2018 Kentucky Incentives for Prevention Survey approximately 50,000 youth in Kentucky reported having a military connection, either through service in the armed forces, National Guard or Reserves or as veterans.  Military-connected youth, can be affected by their family member’s deployment and military service and report higher rates of serious psychological distress, and substance use, compared to non-military connected youth.  

“We are very excited to join 41 states, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Military Child Education Coalition, and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission in our Purple Star Award School Program.  Kentucky schools can strengthen the resiliency of our military-connected youth and celebrate civic responsibility through informative programs, spirit activities and increased staff expertise.  We hope schools across the Commonwealth will embrace this great opportunity,” said Lieutenant Governor and Jacqueline Coleman, who concurrently serves as Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces. To earn the Purple Star Award a school designates at least one school staff to serve as a military youth liaison.  The liaison receives training in military culture and risk and protective factors and stressors associated with being a member of a military family. The schools host at least one military recognition event per school year and post military resources on its webpage.  

Kentucky’s Purple Star Program is overseen by an Advisory Board composed of representatives of eighteen agencies serving service members and veterans.  “A supportive school environment can have a significant impact on our military-connected students by promoting community resiliency.  Purple Star Award schools provide our children and families with resources they need to be successful.  We’re honored to see Kentucky schools support their important work by providing such excellent programs and services,” said Brigadier General (U.S. Air Force, Retired) Steve Bullard, Executive Director, and Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs and Purple Star Program Advisory Board Co-Chair.