Rick Wurth Shares the Advancements Made to Better the Community at Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky
Written By: Autumn Ray, Ignite intern for Stinger Media
Florence, Kentucky – March 8, 2021 – The Rotary Club of Florence held a meeting on Monday, March 8, 2021 where Rick Wurth, Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky/CHNK Behavioral Health shared the great accomplishments that CHNK (@CHNK_1882) has made. CHNK has three campuses across two counties, including 24/7 residential treatment facilities, and is a premier provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment services for youth and families.
CHNK is a Trauma informed healthcare organization, the staff create holistic partnerships for health and wellness that are inclusive, innovative, and inspiring. Their vision is to see a community free from adverse environments and childhood experiences that limit hope and 
opportunity, one that is safe and acknowledges human emotion and loss. A community that empowers future possibilities. CHNK has a campus in Devou park that offers psychiatric Residential Treatment care, Day treatment and therapeutic day school. On the Burlington Campus they offer an Intensive outpatient program, private childcare (PCC) Residential treatment and day treatment. On the Fifth street center they offer outpatient services, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for behavioral health and substance use disorders, targeted case management, and a Family preservation program. CHNK chose to have the Fifth street center because they knew many rely on public transportation and they wanted to be easily accessible to the public.
Kentucky pays $100,000 per kid on average to go into a residential treatment center. Rick Wurth explained that Kentucky has done a poor job of making money available to work with families on outpatient services. After the Affordable CARE Act was passed in 2016 600,000 Kentuckians who did not have health care insurance got some, so now Physical and behavioral health are on the same playing field. Health care organizations soon became overwhelmed with patients, so they went to organizations like CHNK and asked for some extra help, knowing that they have therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, etc. CHNK was offered new licenses to help care for more people in the community. Between 2013 and 2020 they had an 835% increase on the impact they have left on the community. Rick explained to the Rotary Club that he must continue to ask for donations to continue to provide services and resources to children. CHNK must raise over 2 million dollars to keep up with the expenses each year.
CHNK was the first Kentucky behavioral health agency to be certified in the sanctuary model. Rick Wurth explained that CHNK wanted to reach outside of their comfort zone to talk about social determinants of health like the effects of poverty, racism, homophobia, etc. Rick Wurth also shared that those who have adverse childhood experiences are more likely to have health complications like respiratory problems and coronary issues, they can be less likely to graduate and more likely to be incarcerated.
CHNK current initiatives consist of an adoption of restraint free environment, Adoption of Ukeru, Implementation of vocera technology for emergency communication, Continued expansion of Telehealth services, adoption of virtual employee training platform, increased hours for psychiatric consultation and major capital improvements. Find more information and help CHNK continue to help families in the community on their website and social media platforms.
Twitter: (@CHNK_1882)
Facebook: (Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky)
Instagram: (chnk_1882)
LinkedIn: (Rick Wurth) (CHNK)
A recording of this presentation and past meetings of the Rotary Club of Florence is available on the club’s Facebook Page:
The Rotary Club of Florence, Kentucky (serving all of Boone County) is a community service organization focusing on “service above self”. The club meets weekly on Mondays via Zoom during COVID. Guests are always welcome. To learn more about upcoming speakers and events, please visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.org or follow their Facebook page.
#ServiceAboveSelf #FloRo #PeopleofAction #RotaryClubofFlorance #RotaryOpensOpportunities #CHNK #ChildrensHomeofNorthernKentucky #Help #Growth #Recovery #Resources #Community
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