Helping Students Heal and Thrive
Every day, hundreds of children in Putnam County Schools quietly carry the weight of grief and loss. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, divorce, abandonment, or other traumatic circumstances, these students often struggle alone — and their academic, emotional, and social well-being suffer as a result.
Since 2011, our School Support Groups, called BEST Groups (Be Each other’s Support Team) have provided a safe, compassionate, peer-supported space where children and youth can process grief, develop coping skills, and find hope for the future. This program is conducted in a faith-neutral setting, respecting all school policies, and is offered free of charge as a Tier 2 intervention in partnership with Putnam County Schools.
If you believe your student(s) would benefit from participating in a BEST Group, please contact their school counselor for enrollment and a permission form.
Addressing the Hidden Crisis in Our Schools
The BEST Groups program is a Tier 2 intervention program under the Putnam County School District Improvement Plan, serving students who are most at risk of failure due to life circumstances beyond their control. BEST Groups recognizes the following factors:
Grief, trauma, and loss are powerful disruptors of a child’s ability to focus, learn, and thrive.
Many students lack consistent, caring adult support at home.
Without intervention, these challenges can lead to poor academic performance, social isolation, and risky behaviors.
Our Impact — By the Numbers
In the last two years alone, BEST Groups has served 993 students in Putnam County Schools.
In the 2024–2025 school year, we supported 492 students with one or more loss situations:
192 coping with loss due to death
177 coping with loss due to divorce
168 coping with loss due to abandonment
Evidence of Positive Change
Students complete pre- and post-surveys at the start and end of the 11-week session. Results consistently show:
Decreased negative responses at the end of the session
Increased positive responses and resilience at the end of the session
Independent data also supports these outcomes. A two-year study by the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children & Families - which uses our curriculum - found that:
Stress decreased 19% in children and 10% in teens
Anxiety decreased 16% in children and 10.5% in teens
Depression decreased 18.4% in children and 20% in teens
Program Summary
BEST Groups serves students in grades 2–12 across Putnam County Schools
Reaches 10 elementary schools and 2 middle schools each spring and fall semester
Sessions meet weekly during the school day for approximately 11 weeks
Sessions last 45–60 minutes
Groups are led by Putnam County school staff and co-facilitated by trained Heart of the Cumberland volunteers
Students may be referred by parents, teachers, counselors, or family members
Daytime sessions ensure students who cannot attend evening community groups still have access to peer support
Free co-facilitator training is offered at least twice each year for those interested in learning more before committing to volunteer as a co-facilitator.
How BEST Groups is Sustained
BEST Groups began its partnership with Putnam County Schools in 2011 as a federally funded Title I and Title V initiative. Over time, it grew into a state-supported grant program and is now sustained locally through General Purpose Funds, which support five Lead Facilitator positions held by Putnam County School employees. Today, BEST Groups is embedded in the Culture & Climate section of the district’s improvement plan—a testament to its deep integration into schools and its essential role for students.
Heart of the Cumberland strengthens this partnership by providing carefully vetted and trained volunteer co-facilitators through our BEST Groups program. Donations from generous supporters cover curriculum, materials, snacks, training costs, and the salaries of our Program Manager and Program Assistant. Together, this support system reflects the program’s proven impact and lasting value.
Bring BEST Groups to Your Community
BEST Groups isn’t just making an impact in Putnam County Schools — our evidence-based curriculum is available for schools and organizations across the country. Through our social enterprise, we provide the training, tools, and support you need to launch BEST Groups in your own community.
How You Can Help
Donate Snacks
Every BEST Groups student enjoys a weekly snack thanks to generous supporters like you. Help us continue this by choosing items from our Amazon Snack Wishlist below.
Volunteer
In Fall 2025, BEST Groups are running 51 groups across Putnam County Schools. Five dedicated PCSS employees serve as Lead Facilitators, while Heart of the Cumberland provides around 20 volunteer Co-Facilitators to make these groups possible. Check our Upcoming Events page for upcoming volunteer training opportunities or click below to learn more about co-facilitating in BEST Groups.