The Family Resource and Youth Services Center for Cassidy Elementary and Morton Middle schools has received a Harry J. Cowherd Award for Center Excellence. It’s the first time a resource center in Fayette County Public Schools has earned this statewide honor.

Center coordinator Jill Blackman, who is in her fifth year working at Cassidy and Morton, will accept the award on behalf of the center at a Nov. 3 luncheon at the Galt House in Louisville.

“I was humbled. I know a lot of people do a lot of hard work,” Blackman said after learning of the recognition for her resource center.

Family Resource and Youth Services Centers are funded through state grants for the sole purpose of addressing students’ needs of all kinds, from self-esteem and social issues to school supplies and groceries at home.

“Our role is to help students overcome any kind of barriers that keep them from being successful or reaching their full potential academically,” she said. “I like being in the school setting and that we’re here as a resource not only for the children and families but also for the teachers and staff who are helping them.”

The Cowherd awards program is named after the late Harry Cowherd, a former secretary of the Cabinet for Human Resources and an advocate of the family resource and youth services centers concept.