LAWRENCE COUNTY – In a direct move to combat the long-term effects of the opioid crisis, the Lawrence County Commissioners voted Monday morning to allocate $20,000 of the county’s opioid settlement funds to Youth First, specifically benefiting students within Mitchell Community Schools.
The funding request was championed by Amanda May, Principal of Mitchell Junior High School, who emphasized the critical need for embedded support systems to help students navigate mental health challenges and prevent future substance abuse.
Youth First is an Indiana-based non-profit that takes a proactive approach to student well-being. By embedding Master’s-level social workers directly into schools, the program provides:
- Free mental health services and professional counseling.
- Evidence-based prevention programs tailored to youth.
- Resilience education designed to boost academic success and strengthen family bonds.
Principal May noted that these services “directly prioritized the opioid issue” by addressing the root causes of addiction and providing students with the coping mechanisms necessary to avoid drug use.
During the meeting, David Spencer of Youth First presented data to the commissioners, illustrating the program’s success rate. Spencer noted that current metrics indicate the initiative is having a measurable positive impact on students and continues to “move in the right direction.”
The commissioners’ decision highlights a growing trend of utilizing opioid settlement money not just for treatment, but for early intervention and youth resilience. By funding these social workers, the county aims to break the cycle of addiction before it starts.
In a statement following the vote, Commissioner President Jeff McKnight emphasized his preference for funding prevention-focused initiatives. “This is the type of program I like to support,” McKnight noted, highlighting the value of early intervention. Commissioner Vice President Rodney Fish added that this latest allocation brings the total amount of funding provided to Mitchell Community Schools to $150,000.
The $20,000 grant will ensure that Mitchell students continue to have access to these specialized social workers throughout the academic year. For families in the Mitchell Community School District, these services remain free of charge, providing a vital safety net for at-risk youth.
