Kathryn Tillett, MSSW CSW

Kathryn Tillett is the Kentucky AWARE Director at the Kentucky Department of Education, based in Louisville, Kentucky.2 She holds the credentials MSSW (Master of Science in Social Work) and CSW (Certified Social Worker).12

In her role, Tillett is involved in several important initiatives:

Education and Mental Health

Tillett oversees the Kentucky AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) project, which focuses on improving mental health support in schools.1 She works within the Division of Student Success, Office of Continuous Improvement and Support at the Kentucky Department of Education.1

Trauma-Informed Practices

Tillett is actively involved in promoting trauma-informed practices in education. She has been instrumental in organizing learning collaboratives for educators and school personnel, which aim to:

• Prepare schools to meet the requirements of the School Safety and Resilience Act
• Help educators understand trauma exposure in school-age children
• Teach strategies to build resilience and support improved self-regulation in students
• Address secondary trauma exposure in school staff1

Professional Background

Tillett brings experience to her role at the Kentucky Department of Education.3 She is also pursuing further education, having started a doctoral program at the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work in Fall 2022.5

Areas of Focus

Her areas of research interest include:

• School Mental Health
• Education Workforce Development5

Kathryn Tillett can be contacted at the Kentucky Department of Education for matters related to the Kentucky AWARE project and school mental health initiatives.46