KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky, Inc. and Valvoline Inc. Partner to Enhance Suicide Prevention Efforts for Kentucky's Families

A donation by Valvoline Inc. will provide more suicide awareness training for mental healthcare clinicians throughout Kentucky.

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexington-based child welfare and behavioral healthcare organization KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky and Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), the quick, easy, trusted leader in preventive automotive maintenance, today announced a partnership to bring more suicide prevention efforts to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Launched during Mental Health Awareness Month, a donation by Valvoline Inc. to KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky will provide Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) training for KVC Kentucky clinicians. Through this partnership, 53 master's level clinicians across the state will receive the training. In addition, Valvoline's donation will provide long-term sustainability of the model, funding three licensed practitioners to become CAMS trainers for KVC Kentucky.

This collaboration is part of a broader initiative by Valvoline Inc.'s long-standing commitment to the community. The company recently launched Happy to Help, its new community impact and charitable giving program focused on youth health and mental well-being.

"At Valvoline Inc., we care about the communities we serve, and one issue that nearly every community is struggling with is youth mental health issues," said Lori Flees, Valvoline Inc. President & CEO. "When we learned of the shortage in clinicians trained in suicide prevention, we knew we had to help. We are proud to support KVC Kentucky as they work to provide suicide prevention care to more children throughout Kentucky."

CAMS is an evidence-based therapeutic framework designed to assess and manage suicidality through a compassionate, collaborative approach between clinicians and clients. By equipping mental health professionals with these specialized skills, KVC Kentucky aims to increase their capacity to provide effective suicide prevention care and support to individuals and families facing significant mental health challenges. This evidence-based model equips professionals with effective strategies to assess and treat individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, supporting safer, more compassionate care.

The investment ensures that KVC Kentucky practitioners are equipped with the necessary tools to support clients in their journey toward healing—ultimately improving mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities throughout Kentucky. By prioritizing workforce development and trauma-informed practices, Valvoline Inc. is not only enhancing the quality of care delivered by KVC, but also helping build a stronger, healthier future for vulnerable Kentuckians.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Valvoline Inc. for their invaluable partnership in funding our suicide prevention training program. Their commitment not only empowers us to save lives but also fosters a community where understanding, hope and support thrive for youth and their families. Together, we are making a profound impact, transforming despair into hope, and ensuring that youth and families receive the highest quality evidence-based care and support," said Gina Klyachkin, LCSW, President, KVC Kentucky.

This collaboration enhances KVC's capacity to provide evidence-based training and trauma-informed care to frontline professionals, directly benefiting the children and families who rely on their services.

The CAMS training is expected to begin in the Fall 2025 and will be completed by clinicians providing behavioral healthcare, crisis intervention, and family strengthening services across KVC's services in 81 counties in Kentucky, ensuring that they are well-prepared to provide vital suicide prevention and intervention services. This effort is a crucial part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening Kentucky's mental health support system, particularly for vulnerable children and adults.

About KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky

KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strengthens families, prevents child abuse and neglect and helps children and adults achieve mental wellness. KVC provides mental and behavioral health services, family preservation and reunification programs and other family-focused support. Our services are strengths-based and prioritize safety, permanency and wellbeing. Each year, we serve more than 20,000 children and families across eight regions of the state.

For more information about KVC Behavioral Healthcare, please visit https://kentucky.kvc.org/

About Valvoline

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) delivers quick, easy, trusted service at more than 2,000 franchised and company-operated service centers across the United States and Canada. The company completes more than 28 million services annually system-wide, from 15-minute stay-in-your-car oil changes to a variety of manufacturer-recommended maintenance services such as wiper replacements and tire rotations. At Valvoline Inc., it all starts with our people, including the 11,000 team members who are working to grow the core business, expand the company's retail network, and plan for the vehicles of the future.

For more information, visit vioc.com.

Media Contacts:

Courtney Rader
Marketing Outreach Coordinator
KVC Behavioral HealthCare Kentucky
(859)397-2177
[email protected] 

Angela Davied
Director, Corporate Communications
Valvoline Inc.
(913) 302-0032
[email protected]

SOURCE Valvoline Inc.