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Residents and service providers praise Shepherd's House and Thornhill programs at Fiscal Court public comment
Summary
Multiple speakers, including program staff and graduates, told the court that jail-based SAP/SOAR programming and Thornhill services (childcare for support groups, transportation, GED and peer-support classes) are producing measurable outcomes and aiding reentry; county funding was credited for enabling local services.
Frankfort — Public commenters on Jan. 20 highlighted the role of locally funded treatment and reentry services.
Kaye Thomas, jail program director with Shepherd’s House, described the nonprofit’s SAP and SOAR jail programs and said the organization is contracted by the Department of Corrections to operate in regional jails. Thomas cited cost-effectiveness data during her remarks and introduced a former client, Christine Stidham, who described how the jail-based program led to sobriety, peer mentoring work and employment with Shepherd’s House.
Annie, a Shepherd’s House peer specialist, told the court she is three years sober, supervises women’s houses, is enrolled in college and coordinates admissions, underscoring the program’s role in reentry. Thornhill’s Kelly Anderson reported county-supported services for 2025: childcare used by 538 children (63% of those children were linked to Narcotics Anonymous participants), 559 transportation rides provided since March 2025, GED instruction for incarcerated individuals (18 jail GED graduates reported), free peer-support classes, and the launch of a 12-week parenting class scheduled to begin Feb. 17 with childcare available.
Court response: Officials thanked program staff and participants, praised collaboration between the jail and nonprofits, and noted the programs’ contribution to reducing recidivism and supporting reentry. No formal action was requested during public comment; these items were informational and part of the court’s regular oversight and recognition of partners.
