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Kentucky is no stranger to education reform, having worked for the better part of 20 years on raising standards to improve student achievement. In 2009, the Kentucky General Assembly called for more rigorous standards to address high school graduates' college and career readiness. So when the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers led states to develop Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in language arts and mathematics in 2010, Kentucky became the first state to adopt the standards. During the 2011-2012 school year, teachers in Kentucky implemented the standards in all grades and in the spring of 2012, students were assessed on CCSS. This article describes how Kentucky prepared principals to integrate the standards with leadership networks and a new technology platform. The implementation of CCSS in Kentucky has brought about systems change. Principals have had to communicate the changes to their education communities while providing teachers with the necessary resources for success. In developing principal and teacher capacity, working collaboratively, and supporting district and school planning processes, Kentucky will realize the intended vision of CCSS, with more children graduating prepared for success in college and career.

Accurate information is needed to facilitate health equity in underserved communities. This community-based participatory study asked residents about the meaning of mental health, their perceptions of community mental health needs, barriers to accessing mental health care, and acceptability of mental health services that are integrated in primary health clinics. Forty-five primarily African-American residents from urban communities participated in focus groups. Findings revealed high prevalence of substance abuse, depression, crime, and stigma about mental illness, with multiple access barriers. Participants were receptive to mental health care integrated in primary care, if others did not know they were receiving mental health care.