Lawrenceburg, KY November 2023
Anderson County Middle School to Receive Prestigious Kentucky Purple Star Award for Supporting Military Families
Anderson County Middle 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. Anderson County Middle School is the third school in Anderson County Schools to receive the award, joining the ranks of Emma B. Ward Elementary and Sparrow Early Childhood Center.
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 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 ACMS staff take pride in our student-centered approach to everyday interactions with each student, not only academically, but also through our daily commitment to meet each child where they are and support their families also. This includes our focus to assist students and families who have military connections. Receiving the Purple Star Award is an honor that I, along with the entire ACMS staff are proud to receive on behalf of our students and families to show our dedication to our military service men and women.a military family. The school hosts at least one military recognition event per school year and posts military resources on its webpage.
ACMS principal, Jeanna Rose, had the following to say about the distinction: “ACMS staff take pride in our student-centered approach to everyday interactions with each student, not only academically, but also through our daily commitment to meet each child where they are and support their families also. This includes our focus to assist students and families who have military connections. Receiving the Purple Star Award is an honor that I, along with the entire ACMS staff, am proud to receive on behalf of our students and families to show our dedication to our military service members.”
Kentucky’s Purple Star Program is overseen by an Advisory Board composed of representatives from 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.