Mental Health Kentucky - Scholarship Opportunities

Awards and Scholarships

At our annual meeting in late October, MHA-Kentucky gives the following awards and scholarships. Applications are generally due to MHA-Kentucky's office by the Friday following Labor Day via the applicable form:

Annual Awards:

Outstanding contributions by individuals and agencies are recognized by MHA-Kentucky through presentation of a bronze replica of the MHA Bell.

The Jack B. Stith Volunteer Advocate Award recognizes an individual with an outstanding record of volunteer advocacy for persons with mental illnesses. The late Mr. Stith, a funeral director in Danville, was a long-standing member of the board of directors of MHA-Kentucky.

2009: Steve Ulrich, Louisville
2010: Barbara Kaminer, LCSW, Louisville
2011: Hannah Cooper, Louisville

The Philip P. Ardery Mental Health Program Award was established to honor a program or an organization that provides a significant service to the local or statewide community regarding the promotion of mental health or the prevention of mental illness. Mr. Ardery, a decorated WWII flyer and Louisville attorney, was instrumental in the founding of the Kentucky Mental Health Association as well as Wellspring, a nonprofit organization that provides residential and rehabilitative services to people recovering from mental illnesses.

2009: Crisis Intervention Team, Louisville Metro Police Department
2010: Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health for Trauma-Informed Care
2011: Seven Counties Services Training Institute

The Clifford W. Beers Consumer Award honors a consumer of mental health services whose efforts to improve conditions for people with mental illness emulates the work of the late Mr. Beers, a consumer of mental health services who founded the national Mental Health Association, now Mental Health America, in 1909.

2009: Edward Porter, Bowling Green
2010: James T. R. Jones, Clarksville, IN
2011: Nancy Booker, Hopkinsville

The Frank M. Gaines, MD, Professional Award honors a professional with a record of significant contributions to the promotion of mental health. Dr. Gaines was the first commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Mental Health and introduced the practice of psychiatry to Kentucky's state hospitals.

2009: Amarjit Chopra, MD, University of Louisville
2011: Robert L Caudill, MD, Seven Counties Services

The Nick Baumgardner Trauma-Informed Care Award recognizes a program that has begun implementation of trauma-informed care. The late Mr. Baumgardner was a consumer advocate who spoke to the additional challenges he faced as a victim of trauma.

2011: Children's Alliance, Frankfort

Annual Scholarships

MHA-Kentucky presents two scholarships of $1000 to students pursuing a career in the mental health field.
The Antoinette C. Hodes Academic Scholarship is given to a student who is enrolled in a Kentucky college or university, has performed volunteer service in a mental health setting, and is preparing for a mental health field. The late Ms. Hodes was a Kentucky philanthropist.

2009: Michael Nicholson, Madisonville Community College
2010: Ronnie Parish, University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work
2011: Vanessa “Nikki” Jones, University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work

The Evan and Katherine Harrod Academic Scholarship was established in memory of the parents of late board member Evan "Pete" Harrod and is given to a student who qualifies for a Hodes scholarship and is from a rural area. Mr. Harrod was a long-standing member of the board of directors of MHA-Kentucky who lived and farmed in Henry County.

2009: Diane Music, Big Sandy Community College
2011: Rachel Haynes, Cloverport, University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work