2023 WINTER/SPRING 13 What Makes a Good Case Manager? Patience, Persistence & Compassion 14 CCDD Member Profile Passion Fuels Mark W. Leach’s Advocacy 4 Letter from the CCDD David Allgood on Connecting With Legislators 10 CRPD Supports Parental Rights Protecting People With Disabilities 16 Resource Directory A to Z Statewide List Provides Crucial Information 12 DiscoverU Kentucky Project Aims to Unite Disability Community features Advocacy Works 2023 “Exceptional Family KY” is published by the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities 1024 Capital Center Dr., Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (502) 564-7841 • www.CCDD.KY.gov Editor...................................John Lynch Graphic Artist........................Nick Farr Contact Info: (859) 494-1140 / johnplynch1950@gmail.com Need More Copies? For additional free copies, Call (859) 494-1140 or Email johnplynch1950@gmail.com ¿Hablas Espanol? For the Spanish version of the magazine, visit www.lexingtonfamily.com On the Cover: Mark Rothel of the CCDD Council with his case manager Lajean Crosby of New Vista in Lexington. The two have worked together for six years. (Photo by Robin Allen Photography.) Independence, Integration, Inclusion 2 www.lexingtonfamily.com
ties through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society.
The Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities will create systemic change in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change. The CCDD will enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.
GET INVOLVED TODAY – Join the CCDD Info: (
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OUR MISSION
502) 564
7841
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Letter From the CCDD Connect With Your Legislators
MMy name is David Allgood and I am the past chair and current nonprofit representative for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Even before serving on the Council, I have been a long-time advocate for disability rights and education.
Forty years ago, I injured myself in a diving accident, which left me a quadriplegic and a power wheelchair user.
I started advocating for disability issues while attending the University of Kentucky, where I encountered accessibility problems as well as attitudinal barriers regarding people with disabilities.
David Allgood
policy goals with the public policy committee and the Public Policy Coordinator Justin Jeter. We have made numerous visits with legislators during the interim session to discuss these issues.
Connecting with your state representatives is one of the most important – as well as easiest – tasks that persons with disabilities and their families and friends can do.
Becoming a trusted and go-to resource for legislators is a simple and important
bills that they see during a General Assembly Session.
They appreciate constituents who can assist them with understanding how these bills impact Kentuckians with disabilities.
Unfortunately, this does not always mean that they will agree with you, but at least they know who you are. Perhaps you can educate and win them over on different issues of importance to you.
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
More than 25% of Kentuckians are persons with disabilities – the largest minority in the entire state. We must make legislators aware of this minority group and how legislative policy affects us. The right legislation can improve all of our lives.
CCDD Council members include people with developmental disabilities as well as family members and guardians of people with developmental disabilities. Council members are expected to attend quarterly meetings that last two to three days, and other events throughout the year.
A member serves a three-year term and is limited to two terms of service. If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out the governors application for boards and commissions at https://governor.ky.gov/services/ application-for-boards-and-commissions
I continued to advocate for disability issues after graduation and after moving back to my hometown of Louisville, where I currently work as the Director of Advocacy for the Center for Accessible Living.
This position requires me to spend time in Frankfort working with our legislators to introduce laws that would improve the lives of persons with disabilities or to educate and encourage them to vote against legislation that would have a negative impact.
On the CCDD Council, I work on our
action to take.
I recommend that you set up a meeting with your elected officials and share your personal experiences either good or bad and then offer to work with them to improve or correct these issues. Consequently, legislators will see you as a trustworthy person to whom they can turn when dealing with disability-related issues. Legislators can become overwhelmed with the hundreds and even thousands of
All people with disabilities would benefit from increased job opportunities; affordable, accessible public transportation; education opportunities; increased community services; accessible housing; and a myriad of other services.
Please try to use the Council’s resources to become involved in these meaningful causes, and know that we are always looking for advocates, volunteers and Council members.
I truly appreciate the friendships and opportunities that being a member of the Council have afforded me.
It is a privilege to work with fellow Council members and such a dedicated staff n
Advocacy Works 4 www.lexingtonfamily.com
JOIN OUR TEAM
The Council consists of people like you. Members include people with developmental disabilities plus family members and guardians of people with developmental disabilities.
The mission of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities is to create systemic change in Kentucky that empowers individuals to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through education, capacity building and advocacy.
If you want to affect policy, influence legislators and advocate for change, the CCDD is the place for you. Call today to learn how you can make a difference.
(502) 564-7841
Join Us!
Come
www.ccdd.ky.gov
Meet the CCDD Staff
Carol Ann Tudor - Policy Analyst and Operations
Carol.Tudor@ky.gov | 502-782-8606
With the Council since 2005, Carol Ann serves as the main contact for inquiries, including submission of funding requests and requests for publications. She oversees office operations and provides administrative and clerical support. She coordinates meeting logistics and supports Council members in making meeting arrangements and reimbursement. She is staff to the Council Affairs Committee.
Tim Moore - Front Desk Manager
Tim.Moore@ky.gov | 502-564-7841
Tim has been with the Council since 2011. He serves as the front desk receptionist and also assists organizations in accessibility concerns by reviewing websites and documents. Tim completes special projects for staff and records meeting minutes when needed.
Reader Survey WINNER
Coordinator
Nicole.Maher@ky.gov | 502-782-8616
Nicole is the Council’s coordinator for Self Advocacy initiatives and compliance with the federal mandate on self-advocacy programming. She facilitates the Self-Advocacy work team to achieve the goals in the Five Year Plan. She has been with the Council for 5 years and has worked in the disability field for 17 years in a variety of capacities. Nicole has a daughter who has Down syndrome.
Justin.Jeter@ky.gov | 502-782-0696
Justin leads public policy efforts in advocating for disability-positive policies, services, programs, laws and regulations. He promotes the Council’s position on issues impacting children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Justin formerly worked as a Research Fellow at the Council of State Governments.
Vicki.Goins@ky.gov | 502-782-8604
Vicki first joined the Council in 1999, leaving in 2006 to work for the State Budget Office. She came back to the Council in 2018 and now serves as the Council’s Federal Financial Manager. Vicki manages contracts, tracks Council Budget and assures compliance with grant management regulations. She has worked in disabilities since 1993.
Jennifer Hicks - Program Director
Jennifer.Hicks@ky.gov | 502-782-8608
Jen manages federal planning and reporting, including the Five Year Plan, State Plan Amendments, annual Program Performance Report, and Annual Work Plans. She facilitates Council work teams to help them achieve the objectives in the Five Year Plan. Jen has been with the Council for 7 years. Before that she worked in the State ADA office and has over 10 years in the disability field. She holds the national professional certification ADA Coordinators.
Rachael Wall
The winner of a $250 cash prize in the latest Reader Survey contest for this magazine is Rachael Wall of Corbin.
Wall is the Adoptive Parent Liaison for Adoption Support Kentucky and a Kinship Family Peer Support Specialist for KY-Kins.
Both programs are funded by the University of Kentucky.
KY-Kins is a peer support program for Kinship caregivers to discuss concerns, receive emotional or logistical support, and connect with resources.
A single mother of five, Wall has adopted four children, two of whom have disabilities.
“In foster care and adoption, there is a higher percentage of children with disabilities so Exceptional Family Magazine is a great resource,” Wall said.
“The magazine’s spotlight on families in positive scenarios is important because people need to know that.
“They may be frustrated, feeling alone and don’t know what resources are available. Your magazine provides those resources.” n
Advocacy Works
Vicki Goins - Fiscal Manager
Justin Jeter - Public Policy Coordinator
Nicole Maher - Self-Advocacy
6 www.lexingtonfamily.com
Having trouble filling out or accessing the form? Contact John Lynch at 859-494-1140 or email johnplynch1950@gmail.com www.surveymonkey.com/r/Exceptional-Family-Winter-Spring2023 WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK WIN $250 Be among the first 50 to enter a drawing for $250 To fill out the form online, scan the QR Code or simply follow the link below 2023 Calendar Quarterly Council Meetings • 2023: May 11-12 / August 10-11 / November 16-17 CCDD Office: 1024 Capital Center Dr., Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (502) 564-7841 • www.CCDD.KY.gov The mission of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities is to create systemic change in Kentucky that empowers individuals to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through education, capacity building and advocacy. All Council meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Kentucky Open Meetings Law. 7 2023 Exceptional Family KY
CCDD Council Welcomes Four New Members
Jake Cruz Darrell Mattingly
As a native of Guam, Jake Cruz is the first member of the CCDD who can speak and write Chamorro fluently.
He is proud of his native country, which became an American territory in 1950, and like his fellow countrymen, he is a U.S. citizen.
One of 12 children, Cruz, 50, has dealt with learning disabilities, ADD and a minor speech impairment his whole life.
He was educated in Guam and graduated with a high school diploma at the age of 34. As an advocate in Guam, he lobbied for employment for people with disabilities. Guam has laws similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990.
Jake performed clerical work for most of his professional career until he moved to the U.S. in 2016, joining his older brother Brian in Lexington.
Brian encouraged Jake to move because supports for people with disabilities in America, Brian said, are better than in Guam.
Brian worked for the Lexington Housing Authority until he passed away in 2021. Jake now lives with his younger brother. Jake has volunteered for the American Red Cross and worked at a convenience store but is currently unemployed.
Jake joined the CCDD Council in 2022 and works on the public policy and advocacy committees. He admires the Council and its members, saying he has learned much since joining the organization.
“The Council is an awesome organization to work with in order to share ideas and bring people to common ground and try to move ideas out into the public,” he said.
“I hope more can be done to provide people with disabilities the transportation, employment and housing services they need so they can live and work independently.”
Jake is an optimistic person who encourages others to “take part in government, get to know your elected officials and encourage them to support people with disabilities.
“This is the only way we can move mountains together.” n
Darrell Mattingly of Lexington has a transportation problem. The 50-year-old UK graduate was born with cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility and his speech.
He spends most of his time in a wheelchair and he can be difficult to understand.
Computers have helped with communication. For transportation, he owns a van with wheelchair access but he can’t find reliable drivers. He must rely on a shared ride, door-to-door, public transportation service in Lexington.
In October, Lexington switched operation of the program to a private business and service declined dramatically, Mattingly said, with waits of up to 10 hours.
With no reliable transportation, Mattingly rides his wheelchair on city sidewalks for shopping and other errands. A trip to Kroger can take three hours.
“I’m proud to live independently but it’s not easy,” said Mattingly, who owns his own home.
Still, nothing can slow him down. He’s an avid UK basketball fan and an accomplished Adaptive Martial Arts participant, earning a third degree black belt.
Mattingly embraced computers in 1987 as a freshman in high school. Until then, he wrote longhand and his penmanship was difficult to read. Computers changed all that.
Mattingly graduated from UK with two B.S. degrees (computer science and mathematics) and worked at UK’s Dept. of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling from 1999-2007. Since 2007, he has been a webmaster and server administrator for UK’s Human Development Institute.
He also is a member of more than half-a-dozen advocacy boards, including the Council for Vocational Rehabilitation and the Independent Living Council.
In 2022, he was appointed to the CCDD Council and has been impressed.
“This group is very organized,” he said. “They know what they want to get done and they have a road map.”
His first task is to learn the dynamics of the Council.
“Then I’ll be able to set goals,” he said. “It’s always about getting the whole group to move forward.” n
8 www.lexingtonfamily.com
Sharon Raymond Leigh Van Hooser
Sharon Raymond of Goshen, Ky., is the proud mother of three adult children: Zachary, 30, Jacob, 28, and Jessica, 23.
It is Jessica who has pointed Sharon’s life in a distinct direction.
Jessica has intellectual disabilities, including autism, ADHD and OCD, which have led to behavioral issues.
At school, Jessica attended a self-contained class. She does not read or write, and can’t focus long enough to enjoy TV or computer work.
Because of a lack of motor skills, Jessica needs help with self-care, including bathing, dressing, and brushing her hair and teeth. She constantly moves and talks non-stop.
She doesn’t always sleep through the night, and padlocks adorn the refrigerator, kitchen cabinets and all doors in the house.
When Jessica was 7, Sharon and her husband divorced. He gave up his parental rights to Jessica but not to his sons. He continued to see them but not her.
At 18, Jessica left high school because of uncontrollable behaviors. Sharon sought numerous options, including a group home, but Jessica was rejected nearly everywhere.
Sharon reluctantly settled on an institution to help her daughter with medication changes.
That arrangement lasted six months because Sharon hated the treatment her daughter received. Back at home, Jessica has a Supports for Community Living Waiver, which comes with caregivers for 16 hours a day.
Last year at 874K day at the General Assembly, Sharon told her story, denouncing institutionalization and advocating for 24-hour-a-day caregiver time for people like Jessica.
Sharon, a 60-year-old single mother and an ultrasound tech, was appointed to the CCDD Council a year ago, with the mission of advocating for families like hers.
“I know mothers in the same situation as me,” she said. “We are frustrated by how slow change comes.
“But it’s wonderful to be part of the CCDD. I am advocating against institutionalizing people. People like Jessica should remain in their home.
“If the SCL waiver provides money for 24-hour care in group homes and institutions, why can’t it provide the same money for people to remain in their home?” n
It seems like destiny that Leigh Van Hooser of Simpsonville would end up receiving a Governor’s appointment to the CCDD Council.
The 35-year-old paralegal and mother of two works as the executive assistant to the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff for Governor Andy Beshear.
Moreover, six years ago, when Van Hooser was pregnant with her daughter Henley, Leigh worked for Beshear. He was attorney general at the time.
Beshear has known Henley her whole life and has been supportive of Leigh and her husband Nick, who had their second child, Morris, at the end of December.
Henley has benign congenital hypotonia or low muscle tone. She didn’t walk until she was 2-and-a-half years old, and she didn’t have the strength to jump in the air with both feet until this year.
Henley also has Apraxia of speech, a neurological disorder where the brain knows what it wants to say but cannot properly plan and sequence the required speech sound movements.
Henley loves being a kindergartener at Heuser Hearing and Language Academy in Louisville. Neither of her disabilities has dimmed her personality.
“She is vivacious and a happy and energetic child with a larger-than-life personality,” Leigh said. “She is a social butterfly and her smile makes you feel good.”
Henley is also kind and giving. At Heuser, she is a mother hen to the younger children at the school.
Leigh is an avid advocate for Henley and was honored when Governor Beshear appointed her to the Council.
“I was thoroughly impressed,” she said about her first Council meeting in November. “I’ve learned a lot about resources and opportunities for children and adults like my daughter.”
Leigh is grateful that the Council was so welcoming, saying she has met kindred spirits.
“I’m passionate about education when it comes to the disability community,” she said. “I want to move our state forward in a positive way and help the Council in whatever way the group needs from me.” n
Advocacy Works
9 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Coalition for the Rights of PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES
By Dave Matheis
Formed in 2021, the Coalition for the Rights of Parents with Disabilities (CRPD) advocates for legislation and state services that remove all discrimination and barriers to individuals with disabilities exercising their full rights to be parents.
The Coalition was the result of two factors.
First, the realization that Kentucky is still one of a handful of states that allows the removal of a child from a home solely on the basis of disability without any sort of functional analysis of the living situation.
Second, the publication in 2021 of a book I edited, “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities.”
It was published by the Center for Accessible Living and the Advocado Press. Several individuals decided to organize the Coalition after reading about the unfortunate experiences of some of the parents in the book.
The Coalition includes the Center for Accessible Living, the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky, the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities (CCDD), Protection and Advocacy, and many other advocacy groups and agencies.
To date, the Coalition has been working with the Kentucky Department for Community-Based Services to develop training for its staff on the topic of parents with disabilities.
That training should begin in a few months.
CRPD is also developing proposed legislation to protect the rights of parents with disabilities.
The catalyst for the group, the book, “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents
Group Works
To Make Sure That
People With Disabilities Have Full Parental Rights
with Disabilities,” contains the stories of 30 families.
In each family, one or both parents have disabilities: physical, mental, sensory, and/or intellectual.
The stories illustrate the infinite variety of the American family. Of the 30 families, 22 are from Kentucky. Eighteen of the 30 stories were the result of interviews with the parents.
Ten parents submitted written stories, and two stories were reprints from other sources.
The parent stories cover a variety of topics. Most stories concern having children through birth, but there are also stories about fostering and adopting. Four stories concern single parenthood.
A number of stories highlight the decision-making process to have children when the possibility exists of passing on an inheritable condition.
Some of the parents had children before they acquired a disability. They relate
how that acquired disability affected their family.
The stories contain humor, compassion and gratitude.
Many parents talk about facing individual discrimination and societal bias, and discuss legal and policy issues around parenting with a disability.
For instance, Donna Fox of Louisville, who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the mother of two adult children.
She tells the story of being reported to Child Protective Services by a complete stranger on the sole basis of seeing her out in public with her then 2-year-old, first-born son.
She also describes being strongly advised not to have children by medical professionals.
Carrissa Johnson of Murray, who has cerebral palsy, was also advised against having children by her doctor.
She faced repeated hurtful comments by another medical professional about her desire to be a mother.
Many of the mothers remember being
Above, Donna Fox with her two sons, Matthew and Brandon. Right: Carrissa Johnson with her husband, Ben and her son Will.
10 www.lexingtonfamily.com Advocacy Works
advised not to have children just because they had disabilities.
There are descriptions throughout the book of parents getting stares and even rude comments when they are with their children.
Jason Jones of Lexington, who was a quadriplegic at 16 following an athletic injury, wrote the powerful introduction to the book as well as his own story about his parenting adventure.
In the introduction, he briefly discusses the history of eugenics and of discrimination against people with disabilities becoming parents in this country.
He describes a number of recent incidents in which parents with disabilities have their children taken away shortly after birth.
This remains a common fear among some parents with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities.
Lindsay Brillheart of Cincinnati, who has Asperger’s syndrome, describes how she made sure she had a network of support before giving birth.
Several members of that network were at the hospital when her baby came in case medical staff tried to prevent her from taking her daughter home.
A mother in the book dealing with mental health issues expressed a fear of losing her children in a divorce settlement because of her disability.
The stories in the book represent only a fraction of what parents with disabilities experience.
As a result of these narratives, the CRPD was formed to protect the rights of all people who have the desire and the ability to raise children.
As Greg Willett, who has Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy, puts it in his story in the book, “I would tell people with disabilities thinking of becoming parents: don’t not do it out of fear.
“I have flaws as a parent. I can overreact to things. I have done some things wrong. But that has nothing to do with my disability.
“Having a disability should not preclude anyone from being a parent, and it won’t preclude anyone from being a good parent either.”
One question asked of the 18 parents interviewed for the book was what adaptations or assistive devices did they need to help them become effective parents.
Invariably, the first response was some form of “I think my child adapted to me more than I had to adapt to them.”
That not only shows the great adaptability of children, but that everyone’s “normal” is different.
“A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities” is dedicated to Chastity Ross of Berea, a former chairperson of the CCDD Council and a wonderful person. Chastity was interviewed for the book in the middle of May in 2021. She died unex-
pectedly six weeks later.
Chastity, who was born with one arm, one leg shorter than the other and no femur bone in her left leg, was the mother of a boy and a girl.
In her story, she also talks about being strongly advised not to have children because of her disability, but she had no problem giving birth (by Caesarian section) and she raised two great kids.
As she says at the end of her story, “In the end, if you suck as a person, you are going to suck as a parent, whether you have a disability or not.
“If you are compassionate and caring and nurturing as a person, you will be like that as a parent, too.” n
Dave Matheis is a graduate of Bellarmine College (now University) in Louisville. He has worked in the disability field for nearly 46 years, 30 of them with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. He currently consults with the Center for Accessible Living, also in Louisville.
He has two adult children and four grandchildren. The book that he edited, “A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities,” is available through Amazon.
Advocacy Works
Above, Greg Willett with his son Tyler, daughters Amber, Haylee and Megan and wife Angel. Right, Jason Jones with wife Jessica and sons Micah and Bryce.
Edited by Dave Mathei
11 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Melissa Marvel of Zoom Group has high hopes for DiscoverU
By John Lynch
Welcome to the launch year of DiscoverU Kentucky, a statewide, grass roots initiative directed by the Zoom Group in Louisville and supported by a one-year grant from the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities.
The project’s focus is to empower people with disabilities, 14 and older, to become independent, active members of their community through education, awareness and advocacy.
The goal, according to Melissa Marvel, President/CEO of Zoom Group, is to “unite the entire disability community so it can speak with one voice.”
“We want to increase the power of people with disabilities and effect change throughout the state,” she said.
“We want people with disabilities in leadership roles, and we want to create an environment where people with disabilities are valued.”
DiscoverU Kentucky will begin with an inaugural launch in three geographical regions of the state, followed by monthly meetings at different sites throughout the state.
Discover U Kentucky
Get Disability Community To Speak With
Each launch will include an in-person/hybrid town hall meeting, followed by Advocacy Program Workshops. The workshops will focus on regional disability issues, resources, leadership and peer mentor training.
These regional meetings, which began in October 2022, will culminate with a state-wide DiscoverU Kentucky Leadership Conference in June.
At the conference, advocates from each region will join to raise awareness of their community's needs, create strategies, and influence the direction of public policy at the state and federal levels.
“The goal is to create systemic change in Kentucky that empowers people to achieve a sense of belonging, full citizenship, and inclusion in the community,” Marvel said. She appreciates that DiscoverU’s goals are utopian and that creating awareness of the program is a challenge.
“Zoom Group has been around for 37 years, and still not enough people know who we are,” she said.
Zoom Group began as C.G.M. Services, followed by the name Louisville Diversified Services. In 2013, the organization rebranded to Zoom Group. The concept was to zoom in on a person’s needs.
“We are not virtual,” Marvel said. “We are real people with a real purpose, namely to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to pursue their goals and engage in their community.”
One Voice
Marvel, in her seventh year at Zoom, is a Certified Public Accountant who came to the disability world through the second of her two sons.
Luke, 22, was diagnosed at age 3 with refractory amblyopia, which can lead to blindness. Marvel was told that he would be developmentally delayed and never drive a car.
Mom used her networking skills to support Luke through school, and he now attends DePauw University and plans to attend law school. He also has a driver’s license.
Marvel has used those same networking skills to add partners to DiscoverU, including Katie Wolf Whaley, President of Kentucky APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First.)
“We want to make sure people are aware of resources that exist,” said Whaley, who is chairperson of the Employment First Council. “We want people to know their rights and all the good that employment brings to their life.”
Kitty Zachery, the executive director of the Coalition for Work Force Diversity in Louisville, echoed those sentiments as reason for partnering with DiscoverU.
“It’s a wonderful idea, and we want to help provide opportunity for the advocacy role that DiscoverU will provide,” she said.
Zachery added that focusing on people 14 and older is a crucial part of the project.
“This is an important group that needs attention,” she said. “Working with them before they are 18 will better prepare them for self-advocacy as adults.”
Please see Page 15
12 www.lexingtonfamily.com Advocacy Works
GOAL OF STATEWIDE PROJECT:
By John Lynch
Do you know what makes a good case manager? Think of your favorite family member and you get the idea.
That’s the opinion of David Bruner and Mark Rothel, who both have case managers that they compare to loved ones.
“She’s like a sister to me,” said Mark Rothel, 57, about Lajean Crosby, 56, a case manager with New Vista in Lexington. Rothel has intellectual disabilities and developmental delays.
“She’s a loving, kind person, someone I can talk to about anything,” said Rothel, who has been with Crosby for six years.
For Bruner, 24, Jessica Frye, 42, of New Vista in Lexington, is also like a family member.
“She’s like my momma,” he said. “She’s there for me when I need her the most.”
That can be when Bruner needs help looking for a job or changing his living arrangement or when he needs emotional support.
Frye is always there for him. She has been
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CASE MANAGER? PATIENCE PERSISTENCE COMPASSION
his case manager for three years.
“I’m very happy with her as my case manager,” said Bruner, who has Tourette syndrome, seizures and intellectual delays.
“She’s easy to talk to and she’s a good advocator. She motivates me.”
The feeling is mutual for Crosby and Frye, both mothers of four who have a combined 38 years experience as case managers.
Frye has spent her 20-year career at New Vista, the past 11 as a supervisor as well as
Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, more can be done to include people with disabilities into society, according to Frye.
“They can do amazing things and they have the same dreams as anyone,” she said. “They want to work, get married, have kids. I want to help them achieve those goals.
“This is my life work. I have paperwork to do with my job as supervisor, but when I work with a client in the field, it instantly refocuses me. I know that this is my purpose.”
Working in this field also feels like a calling to Crosby, who took a circuitous path to social work.
a case manager.
She graduated from Kentucky Christian University with a degree in social work.
She intended to be a teacher but during a summer job at a camp, she connected with a camper with a disability and that “changed my mindset.”
Despite progress since the Americans with
After a few dissatisfying jobs after high school, she joined the Army reserves for six years, including two active years stateside during Desert Storm in 1990-91.
Crosby then earned a degree in social work from UK in 2005. It was during her training that she discovered she had a heart for people with disabilities.
Please see Page 15
Forget the stereotype of overwhelmed social workers on the verge of burnout. Crosby and Frye love their jobs.
Advocacy Works 13 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Mark Rothel and his case manager Lajean Crosby
MARK W. LEACH: ‘He Fights Hard Cause He Cares Hard’
By John Lynch
It hasn’t taken long for Mark W. Leach, an attorney and Air Force veteran, to make an impact on the CCDD Council.
Appointed in 2020, Leach has established a reputation for at least two things: Running efficient committee meetings and being a formidable advocate for his daughter, Juliet, 18, and other people with disabilities.
Committee meetings that previously stretched past an hour, now sometimes end in 30 minutes with Leach at the helm.
“He is no-nonsense when it comes to committee meetings,” said David Allgood, a long-time member of the Council.
“But he is always respectful of others and everybody gets a chance to be heard. He just makes sure things run efficiently.”
As an advocate, Leach is experienced, knowledgeable and determined. That determination comes from a place of compassion, according to CCDD staff member Justin Jeter.
“I have learned a lot from him on how to advocate effectively,” Jeter said.
“Mark knows the importance of getting the details right. He’s formidable but that’s because he cares. He fights hard cause he cares hard.”
That compassion and determination start with his daughter.
Leach is a Bradley University graduate who received his law degree from Tulane University in 1998. He served as a Judge Advocate in the Air Force, and was deployed after 9/11.
After the Air Force, he practiced law at Stites & Harbison where he befriended Andy Beshear when the governor was a colleague at the law firm.
Leach now has his own law firm with specialties in healthcare law, public procurement and business litigation. He also has earned a master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Louisville.
He is the bioethics specialist for the National Center for Prenatal & Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources at UK’s Human Development Institute.
He also has served as a volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including Kentucky Protection & Advocacy, and the Down Syndrome of Louisville. He was Board Chair of that group from 2011 to 2013.
He is a Trustee of the Down Syndrome Foundation that is devoted to providing education, support and health care to individuals with Down syndrome.
As a parent, Leach is fond of saying, my daughter, Juliet, 18, is endowed with Down syndrome and my son, James, 17, is endowed with curly blond hair.
Juliet is on track to graduate from Waggener High this year with a 3.2 GPA and a diploma, not a certificate.
Leach made sure that option was open to his daughter as early as the third grade when school administrators suggested in an IEP meeting that Juliet be tracked for a certificate. He objected, saying it was too soon to judge Juliet’s academic potential.
Advocacy Works
Mark W. Leach and his daughter Juliet Mark W. Leach and his daughter Juliet
14 www.lexingtonfamily.com
The staff listened to him and Juliet performed well in school. At Meyzeek Middle School, Juliet struggled while learning in the lowest level of classes.
Her teachers called a meeting and told Leach that Juliet learned better with fewer distractions. So they moved her to the advanced placement group.
“I was gobsmacked. I bet I’m one of only a few parents in America that that has happened to,” he said.
“Our experience is the exception that proves the rule about IEP meetings.
“It does help that Juliet is a very hard-working student, and I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that her father is an
DiscoverU
Continued From Page 12
attorney.”
Juliet will graduate with an emphasis in allied health with the goal of working as a certified nurse assistant.
Meanwhile, she has worked for nearly two years at her neighborhood Kroger, a company known for hiring people with disabilities.
“I am thrilled that she works at Kroger,” Leach said.
“The grocery store is the hub of a community. Her working there demonstrates that people like her are part of everyone’s community.”
On the CCDD Council, Leach has worked closely with Jeter on public policy issues.
From their collaboration emerged a suggestion that all Council members meet at least once a year with their state representatives.
“The best outcome for those meetings is that legislators are reminded that their actions will affect individuals with developmental disabilities,” Leach said.
“It’s also important to let them know that there is a Council, required by law and funded by the federal government and that legislators should seek their counsel.
“It’s a constant requirement on our part to educate and make lawmakers aware of issues that affect people with disabilities.” n
Case Managers
Continued From Page 13
That’s where the Peer Mentor piece of DiscoverU comes into play. One of the first Peer Mentors is Matt Proffitt, a 34-year-old artist in Louisville.
Proffitt has Asperger’s syndrome but doesn’t consider it a disability. “It’s a blessing because I’m better at certain things than other people,” he said.
Proffitt is a 2008 graduate of Jeffersontown High. A year later, he completed a program in custodial maintenance at the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center near Paintsville.
After that, he moved back to Jefferson County, where he resides in an independent living apartment.
With DiscoverU, he started as a Peer Mentor last October, working with students with disabilities at Jeffersontown and Eastern high schools. He visits the schools on an alternating basis the second Tuesday of each month.
“I ask the students about their goals, and I tell them not to be afraid to chase their goals or go outside their comfort zones,” he said.
Proffitt learned that one student enrolled in cosmetology school after hearing his message.
“I know I have made a positive impact,” he said. “It made me feel 15 different kinds of proud and warm inside.
For more info, visit: https://p2p.onecause.com/discoveru_kentucky
“Everything that makes you feel great and is uplifting, I felt it.”
Not a bad result for the first year of the launch. n
“Before that, I didn’t know that the need existed,” she said.
“I saw that what these folks wanted was the same as everyone else and I wanted to be part of that.
“My clients are often overlooked by society. I’m fighting to keep my clients in the community where they can be seen.”
Forget the stereotype of overwhelmed social workers on the verge of burnout. Crosby and Frye love their jobs.
Maybe it’s because their clients say to them: “I love you.”
“I have never felt overwhelmed,” Crosby said. “I’ve always felt that this is where I’m supposed to be.
“Everyday, I’m as motivated as I was the day before.”
Frye rejects the idea that social work takes a special person.
“That’s not accurate,” she said. “Everyone can do this.
“Granted, there are many hoops you have to jump through for your clients, and you have to be persistent and resilient. But you just have to treat people with dignity and respect.”
It obviously works with her clients.
As Bruner said about Frye, “I couldn’t have another case manager that’s any better.” n
CCDD Member Profile
David Bruner and his case manager Jessica Frye
15 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Resource List 2023
GENERAL
Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities
1024 Capital Center Dr., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-7841
The mission of the CCDD is to create systemic change in Kentucky that empowers individuals to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in the community through education, capacity building and advocacy.
CCDD is a dynamic mix of people with unique backgrounds and experiences. Members include 16 governor-appointed individuals with disabilities and family members of individuals with disabilities, as well as representatives from major state agencies that serve people with developmental disabilities. https://ccdd.ky.gov
The Arc of the United States
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC, 20006 (800) 433-5255 / 202-534-3700 / info@thearc.org
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. www.thearc.org
The Arc of Kentucky 706 East Main St., Suite A, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 875-5225 / (800) 281-1272 arcofky@arcofky.org
The Arc of Kentucky is the largest statewide community-
based volunteer organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/ DD) and their families. The Arc works tirelessly to uphold the vision that every individual and family living with I/ DD in Kentucky has access to the information, advocacy and skills they need to support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. www.arcofky.org
The Arc of Kentucky Chapters
Barren County: Allison Curasi / thebcarc@gmail.com
Central Kentucky: Alva M. Covington / (312) 502-8217
Floyd County/Prestonsburg: Deborah Hall (606) 268-0808
Lake Cumberland, Somerset: TBA
Logan County: Thomas Thompson / (270) 726-2218
Louisville Area: Serena Jacobs / (502) 939-8273
Northern Kentucky The Point: Judi Gerding (859) 491-9191
The Arc of Kentucky Self Empowerment Network: Selfempowerment@arcofky.org
Self Empowerment Network of Lake Cumberland: Donna Littrell / (606) 875-9847
Self Empowerment Network Different Abilities
South Central Kentucky: Renee Hathaway (270) 432-5938
Self Empowerment Network The Arc of Greater Louisville Area: Dale Arnett / (606) 224-0240
Best Buddies Kentucky
3044 Bardstown Road, Suite 1274, Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 536-7876
Best Buddies Kentucky, founded in 2009, is dedicated to establishing a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
www.bestbuddies.org/kentucky
Best Point (Formerly Children’s Home of Cincinnati) 5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45227 (513) 272-2800
Best Point is a private, non-profit social service agency that improves the lives of children and their families through services in four areas: adoption, early childhood, education and mental health. Best Point serves children of all ages and their families, including adoptive children, new parents needing support and guidance, children with special education needs, and children with mental health diagnoses.
www.tchcincy.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters Organizations
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. BBBS develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
Mark W. Leach and his daughter Juliet at Forrest Gump point in Monument Valley, Utah where Forrest decides to stop running and go home.
16 www.lexingtonfamily.com
CCDD Hires New Executive Director
The Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities has hired a new executive director, Johnny Callebs, a person who seems ideally suited for the job.
Callebs has worked in the disability field for more than three decades, all in Kentucky.
For more than 20 of those years, he served as executive director of three different organizations: The Columbus Organization (20192022) and the Kentucky Assn. of Private Providers (2017-2019).
Before that, he worked for 16 years at Independent Opportunities, rising from site director to executive director.
He also worked at UK and for the Cabinet for Families and Children.
He graduated from EKU in 1988 and earned a master’s degree in
social work from UK in 1992. Through the years, he has worked with current Council members, and respects the CCDD’s work and its mission.
Callebs currently works at UK Healthcare. His official start date at the CCDD is April 1, and he is eager to begin his new job.
“Taking this job feels like coming home. They have a great team to work with,” he said.
“Everyone has been so kind during the interview process.
The CCDD feels like this is a good fit so I’m very excited to get started.” n
Edited by Dave Matheis with an Introduction by Jason Jones Dedicated
“A Celebration of Family: Stories of Parents with Disabilities” contains the stories of 30 families. In each family, one or both parents have disabilities: physical, mental, sensory, and/or intellectual.
The stories illustrate the infinite variety of families, which gives those families their strength and beauty. Like people, no two families are the same.
Johnny Callebs
Visit the HDI Center for
Technology Services (CATS) University of Kentucky Human Development Institute This Regional Assistive Technology Center serving Lexington and surrounding counties offers: Training on assistive technology devices Lending Library of devices • Demonstration of assistive technologies 2358 Nicholasville Rd. Ste. 180 Lexington, KY 40503 hdiatcenter@l.uky.edu | www.katsnet.at4all.com | 859-218-7979 hdi.uky.edu uk_hdi ukhdi UK_HDI hdi.uky.edu © University of Kentucky Human Development Institute
Assistive
to the memory of Chastity
Published in Louisville, Kentucky By the Center for Accessible Living and the Advocado Press Available from Amazon for $10.95
Ross
17 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Edited by Dave Mathei
Resource List 2023
Bluegrass
181 Lowry Lane, Suite 150, Lexington Ky., 40503 (859) 231-8181
www.bbbs-bluegrass.org
Greater Cincinnati
2400 Reading Road, Suite 148, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 (513) 421-4120
www.bigsforkids.org
Kentuckiana
1519 Gardiner Lane, Suite B, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (877) 588-2300 / (502) 587-0494
www.bbbsky.org
Tristate
1557 Winchester Ave., Suite 204, Ashland, Ky., 41105 (606) 329-8799 / www.bbbstristate.org
Impact Mentoring
1 South Main Street, Madisonville, Ky., 42431 (270) 821-0688
Committed to building strong, trusting and caring relationships that will have a positive impact and change the lives of those children who need it most through mentoring with an adult volunteer. www.Madisonvillebbbs.org
Bluegrass Care Navigators
1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (855) 492-0812
Bluegrass Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of the Bluegrass) provides physical, emotional and spiritual care for adult and pediatric patients with life-limiting illness, and their families, at home, in nursing facilities and at Hospice Care Centers. Support and bereavement services extend to family members and anyone in the community experiencing grief. Bluegrass Care Navigators provides care in 32 central, northern and southeastern Kentucky counties. / www.bgcarenav.org
Brighton Center Inc.
741 Central Ave., Newport, Ky., 41071 (859) 491-8303
Brighton Center wraps a community of support around individuals and families by tackling the issues that prevent people from becoming self-sufficient, removing the barriers they face, and creating hope so that goals can be achieved and dreams realized. From modest beginnings in 1966, the Center has grown to provide a wide range of programs and services that include meeting basic needs, adult and early childhood education, workforce development, substance abuse recovery for women, affordable housing, financial education and counseling, youth services, and neighborhood based programs. www.brightoncenter.com
Build Inclusion, Inc.
P.O. Box 23030, Lexington, Ky., 40523 (859) 221-6689 / www.buildinclusion.org
Build Inclusion promotes intentional inclusion, access, and opportunities through community & family education, engagement, and most of all, meaningful, competitive employment. Build Inclusion facilitates success for individuals in transition to adulthood in preparing for and fully participating in this next stage of their lives. Clinical social work services are also available for the ID/DD population.
Center for Accessible Living
The Center for Accessible Living is an innovative leader in empowering all people to achieve their goal of independent living while involving the entire community.
Louisville Location
501 S. Second St., Suite 200, Louisville, Ky., 40202 (502) 589-6620 / Toll Free (888) 813-8497 webinfo@calky.org / www.calky.org
Murray Location
1051 N. 16th St., Suite C, Murray, Ky., 42071 (270) 753-7676 / Toll Free (888) 261-6194 calmur@calky.org / www.calky.org
Bowling Green Location
1830 Destiny Lane, Suite 108, Bowling Green, Ky. 42104 (270) 599-0911 / www.calky.org
Christian Appalachian Project
485 Ponderosa Drive, P.O. Box 1768, Paintsville, Ky., 41240 / (866) 270-4227
CAP is a Kentucky-based, non-profit Christian organization committed to serving people in need in Appalachia by providing physical, spiritual and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services. www.christianapp.org
Community Action Kentucky (CAK)
101 Burch Court, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (800) 456-3452 / (502) 875-5863
CAK is a statewide association representing and assisting the 23 community action agencies as they work to empower individuals and families to attain greater economic success. / www.capky.org
Easter Seals
Cardinal Hill
2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 367-7217 / www.cardinalhill.org
Western Kentucky
1908 N. 14th St., Paducah, Ky., 42001 (270) 443-1200 / www.eswky.easterseals.com
Home of the Innocents
1100 E. Market St., Louisville, Ky., 40206 (502) 596-1000 / info@homeoftheinnocents.org
Home of the Innocents is the region’s open arms to kids in crisis, providing therapeutic, loving care to children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect. It’s also home to children who have autism and other behavioral health diagnoses; who are medically fragile; and families with exceptional needs. Open Arms Children’s Health is the Home’s health care facility offering pediatric medical, dental, hearing, vision and pharmacy. / www.homeoftheinnocents.org
Human Development Institute (HDI)
Kentucky’s University Center on Disability University of Kentucky
113 Mineral Industries Building, Lexington, Ky., 405060051 / (859) 257-4356
HDI’s mission is to advance efforts that build inclusive communities, address inequities, and improve the lives of all people who experience disability across the lifespan. HDI achieves its mission through leadership and community partnerships across Kentucky and the nation. Learn more at www.hdi.uky.edu
Independence Place, Inc.
2358 Nicholasville Road, Suite 180, Lexington, Ky., 40503 (859) 266-2807
Independence Place is a non-profit, consumer-driven, non-residential Center for Independent Living, serving people with disabilities of all ages. The mission is to help people with disabilities achieve their potential for community inclusion by improving access and equal opportunity. / www.ipky.org
Independence Seekers Project
1244 South Third St., Suite 200, Louisville, Ky., 40203 (502) 509-9363
As a leader in disability advocacy, the Independence Seekers Project aims to challenge ableism and redefine community through a support network built by those with disabilities. Alongside peers and allies, ISP aspires to create a more inclusive community dedicated to interdependence. www.independenceseekersproject.org
KARRN (Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network)
UK College of Health Sciences, 900 South Limestone, Lexington, Ky., 40536 (859) 323-1100/ phkitz1@uky.edu
A collaborative team composed of individuals impacted by neurological conditions, providers who serve them, members of communities in which they live, advocates, educators and researchers who investigate these conditions. / www.karrn.org
Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs
83-C Michael Davenport Blvd., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 226-2704 / erecktenwald@kasap.org
KASAP’s mission is to speak with a unified voice against sexual victimization. KASAP is funded in whole or in part with public funds. / www.kasap.org
Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Inc. 600 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 875-1320 / (800) 369-0533
Melissa@kypartnership.org
KPFC’s vision is that all families raising youth and children affected by behavioral health challenges will achieve their fullest potential. KPFC’s mission is to empower families affected by behavioral health challenges to initiate personal and systems change. www.kypartnership.org
Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network, Inc. (KY-Spin)
10301-B Deering Road, Louisville, Ky., 40272 (502) 937-6894 / (800) 525-7746
The mission is to link families and individuals with disabilities to valuable resources that will enable them to live productive, fulfilling lives. A project of KY-SPIN, Inc. is the KY-SPIN Parent Center PTI (Parent Training & Information Project), which is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education. KY-SPIN Parent Center provides training, information and support for children and youth with all types of disabilities (birth through 26 years old), their parents, families and professionals.
www.kyspin.com
18 www.lexingtonfamily.com
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24 - Hour Helpline 1.80 0.928.800 0 | new vista.org | Joint Commission Acc redited
24
Hour Helpline 1.800.928.8000 | newvista.org
-
Resource List 2023
Kentucky Youth Advocates
10200 Linn Station, Suite 310, Louisville, Ky., 40223
(502) 895-8167 / (888) 825-5592
KYA advocates for policies that give children the best possible opportunities for a brighter future and are making Kentucky the best place in America to be young. www.kyyouth.org
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
2265 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 200, Lexington, Ky., 40504
(859) 225-8879 / 1-800-CHILDREN
pcaky@pcaky.org
The mission of PCAK is to prevent the abuse and neglect of Kentucky’s children through advocacy, education, awareness and training. PCAK is helping to build a better Kentucky by shaping future leaders and their families to ensure Kentucky’s children grow up in safe, healthy environments. Being a parent can be tough. For FREE, confidential information and support, call the helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN. / www.pcaky.org
Public Library Home Delivery Service
Many of the state’s county public libraries offer home delivery service for those with physical limitations that prevent them from visiting. Below are libraries in the state’s most populous areas. Contact the public library in your county to inquire about services.
Boone County (Florence): (859) 342-2665 ext. 8108
www.bcpl.org/docs/library/we-deliver.pdf
Campbell County (Newport): (859) 572-5035 ext. 352
www.cc-pl.org/services/adult-outreach-services
Kenton County (Covington): (859) 962-4062
www.kentonlibrary.org/outreach/homebound
Laurel County Public Library (London): (606) 864-5759
www.Laurellibrary.org/services/outreach-services/ Lexington: (859) 231-5500
www.lexpublib.org/outreach
Louisville: (502) 574-1611
www.lfpl.org/bookstoyou.html
Warren County (Bowling Green): (270) 535-4886
https://warrenpl.org/using-the-library/
Daviess County (Owensboro) (270) 691-1886
www.dcplibrary.org/books-to-you
Paul Sawyier (Frankfort): (502) 352-2665
www.pspl.org/outreach-services
Hardin County (Elizabethtown): (270) 769-6337
www.hcpl.info/services.asp
Safe Kids Worldwide
1 Inventa Place, Sixth Floor West, Silver Spring, Md., 20910 / (202) 662-0600
Safe Kids is a program that brings together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. Safe Kids is a global network of organizations
dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Efforts are needed because as many as 90% of accidental injuries can be prevented. / www.safekids.org
Fayette County Coalition
Kentucky Children’s Hospital, 800 Rose St., Lexington, Ky., 40536 / (859) 323-1153
www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-fayette-county-ky
Kentucky Coalition
Kentucky Department of Health, 275 E. Main St., HS2W-A, Suite 242, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-2154 ext 4459
www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-kentucky
Louisville and Jefferson County Coalition
Norton Children’s Hospital, 315 E. Broadway, Louisville, Ky., 40202 / (502) 629-7244
www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-louisville
TASH Disability Advocacy Worldwide
1825 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington D.C., 20006 (202) 808-8148
An international association of people with disabilities, family members, other advocates and professionals working for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. / www.tash.org
Kentucky Chapter Located in Louisville
Darrell Mattingly / (859) 373-8920
darrell.mattingly@uky.edu
www.tash.org/chapters/kentucky-tash/
Tourette Association of America
42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507, Bayside, NY., 11361 888-4-TOURET / support@tourette.org
Tourette Association of America (formerly Tourette Syndrome Association) is the only national organization serving the community, and works to raise awareness, advance research, and provide ongoing support to patients and families impacted by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. The TAA directs a network of 31 Chapters, 83 support groups and recognizes 18 Centers of Excellence across the country. / www.tsa-usa.org
Tourette Syndrome in the Bluegrass
Angela King / (270) 317-3046
www.facebook.com/tourettesyndromeinthebluegrass
Un Abrazo Amigo Parent Support Group Lexington / (859) 474 2722
Un Abrazo Amigo is a parent support group in Spanish for families of children and youth with special health care needs and serves families from Fayette and surrounding counties. The support group works on addressing language and cultural barriers to access to health care and social services, reducing caregiver stress and enhancing children’s health and well-being, and supporting families in becoming advocates for their children through education and mutual support.
United Way
Bluegrass
651 Perimeter Dr., Suite 510, Lexington, Ky., 40517 211 Information Line / (859) 233-4460
LiveUnited@uwbg.org / www.uwbg.org
Kentucky
P.O. Box 4653, Louisville, Ky., 40204 (502) 589-6897 / 211 Help Line / www.uwky.org
Metro 334 E. Broadway, P.O. Box 4488, Louisville, Ky., 40204 (502) 583-2821 / 211 Help Line The Cardwell House 316 Main St., Shelbyville, Ky., 40014 (502) 633-4484
Fights for the education, health, housing and financial stability of every person. / www.metrounitedway.org
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 West Chestnut St., Louisville, Ky., 40202 (502) 582-7706
The WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to better the lives of children with special needs. The Crusade Advisory Panel, an independent board of interdenominational ministers, decides how donations are distributed each year. / www.whascrusade.org
STATE RESOURCES
Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver
275 E. Main St. 6W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-5198 / (866) 878-2626
This program is designed to provide intensive services and support to adults with acquired brain injuries as they work to re-enter community life.
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/abi.aspx/
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Trust Fund
275 E. Main St., 3E-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-6930 / toniaawells@ky.gov
This program offers flexible funding and support for people with traumatic brain injuries. The fund supports supplemental, community-based efforts to meet the special needs of individuals with brain injury. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/tbitrust.aspx
Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky
7321 N. La Grange Road, Suite 100, Louisville, Ky., 40222 / (502) 493-0609
Serves those affected by brain injury through advocacy, education, prevention, service and support. www.biak.us
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs
The mission of the OCSHCN is to enhance the quality of life for Kentucky’s children with special health care needs through quality service, leadership, advocacy, education and collaboration. The OCSHCN’s vision is to be the visible leader in supporting the highest quality of life for Kentucky’s children with special health care needs and their families through collaboration and creation of a more accessible community based system of support. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/ccshcn/Pages/about.aspx
Regional Offices:
Central office / Louisville
310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 200, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (502) 429-4430 / (800) 232-1160
Serving Bullitt, Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham,
20 www.lexingtonfamily.com
If
MEET THE CCDD COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR HOMETOWNS
Casey Allen, Kevil
David Allgood, Louisville
Meagan Brannon, Germantown
Jacob Cruz, Lexington
Grant Grupton, Simpsonville
Paul Hitchcock, Morehead
Kelly Jones, Fort Thomas
Mark W. Leach, Louisville
Come Join Us!
(502) 564-7841 / www.CCDD.KY.gov
Owen, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble counties and statewide.
Barbourville
110 Johnson Lane, Barbourville, Ky., 40906
(606) 546-5109 / (800) 348-4279
Serving Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Laurel, Rockcastle, Knox and Whitley counties.
Bowling Green
2040 Louisville Road, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101
(270) 746-7816 / (800) 843-5877
Serving Allen, Barren, Butler, Christian, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Todd and Warren counties.
Elizabethtown
580-B Westport Road, Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701
(270) 766-5370 / (800) 995-6982
Serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties.
Hazard
103 Town and Country Lane, Suite M, Hazard, Ky., 41701
(606) 435-6167 / (800) 378-3357
Darrell Mattingly, Lexington
Micah Peace, Louisville
Aisha Omar, Louisville
Sharon Raymond, Goshen
Mark Rothel, Lexington
Amy Smith, Frankfort
Regina Watts, Covington
Leigh Van Hooser, Simpsonville
Serving Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties.
Lexington
333 Waller Ave., Suite 300, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 252-3170 / (800) 817-3874
Serving Anderson, Bourbon, Boone, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford counties.
Morehead
214 W. First St., Morehead, Ky., 40351 (606) 783-8610 / (800) 928-3049
Serving Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Campbell, Carter, Elliot, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Mason, Menifee, Morgan, Montgomery, Pendleton, Robertson and Rowan counties.
Owensboro
1600 Breckenridge St., Suite 1200, Owensboro, Ky., 42303 / (270) 687-7038 / (877) 687-7038
Serving Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins,
McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster counties. Paducah
The HIPP Building, 2855 Jackson St., Paducah, Ky., 42003 / (270) 443-3651 / (800) 443-3651
Serving Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg counties.
Prestonsburg
5000 Ky. Route 321, Prestonsburg, Ky., 41653 (606) 889-1761 / (800) 594-7058
Serving Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties.
Somerset
Professional Plaza, 401 Bogle St., Suite 104, Somerset, Ky., 42503 / (606) 677-4120 / (800) 525-4279
Serving Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne counties.
First Steps Point of Entry Services
Resource List 2023
you want to affect policy, influence legislators and advocate for change, the CCDD Council is the place for you. Call today to learn how you can make a difference!
21 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Resource List 2023
312 Whittington Pkwy., Suite 020, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (502) 429-1249 / (800) 442-0087
Serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties.
Family to Family Health Information Centers
310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 200, Louisville, Ky., 40222 Sondra Gilbert / (502) 782-8781
Located at the offices of the Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Family to Family HICs are family-run centers that assist families of children and youth with special health care needs and the professionals who serve them. The goal is to help keep children healthy by promoting regular medical care. F2F HICs help families make more informed choices by providing support, information, resources and training. F2F HICs promote access to community-based, self-directed services that are available to children with special needs. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/ccshcn/Pages/ftf.aspx
Hart-Supported Living Program
275 E. Main St., 3E-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-6930 / pcap.hsl@ky.gov
The Hart-Supported Living program provides funds for supports to help Kentuckians with disabilities live in their homes and communities and avoid institutionalization. Any Kentuckian with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disability Act can apply for Hart-Supported Living funds. / chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/hslp.aspx
Coordinators
Region 1: Angel Lawrence
P.O. Box 3759, Paducah, Ky., 42003 (502) 401-8650 / angel.lawrence@ky.gov
Counties: Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg, Union and Webster.
Region 2: Makalla Morrison
P.O. Box 2010, Bowling Green, Ky., 42102
(502) 229-5211 / makalla.morrison@ky.gov
Counties: Adair, Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Logan, Meade, Metcalf, Monroe, Nelson, Ohio, Simpson, Taylor and Warren.
Region 3: Amanda Coulter
P.O. Box 876, Lawrenceburg, Ky., 40342 (502) 229-2294 / AmandaM.Coulter@ky.gov
Counties: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Casey, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Gerrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Montgomery, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Scott, Woodford.
Region 4: Susan Miller
P.O. Box 9531, Louisville, Ky., 40209 (502) 229-9716 / smiller@ky.gov
Counties: Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Owen, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, Washington.
Region 5: Caryn Turvey
P.O. Box 1385, Ashland, Ky., 41105 (502) 229-6863 / caryn.turvey@ky.gov
Counties: Bath, Boone, Boyd, Bracken, Campbell, Carter, Fleming, Grant, Greenup, Harrison, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nichols, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan.
Region 6: Angelia Forgey
P.O. Box 1907, Hyden, Ky., 41749 (502) 401-8654 / angelia.forgey@ky.gov
Counties: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Elliot, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe.
Home and Community-Based Waiver (HCB)
275 E. Main St., 6W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-5560 / dmsweb@ky.gov
The HCB waiver is part of Kentucky’s 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid waiver program. HCB provides assistance to the elderly or to adults and children with disabilities to help them live in the community as independently as possible. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/hcb-waiver.aspx
Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corp.
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero St., 1st Floor, SE, Frankfort Ky., 40601 (877) 675-0195
The Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) offers low interest loans for qualified applicants with disabilities for assistive technology. Notice December 2022: The KATLC will be going through a reorganization. As a part of this process, KATLC will be looking for a new lending partner. The Board of Directors anticipate this being a six to nine month process.
https://katlc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Education & Workforce Development
500 Mero St., 4th floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-0372
Providing Kentuckians from all across the Commonwealth with the opportunity of transformational change through education and quality training so they can attain a meaningful career, support their families, break the cycle of poverty and prosper.
https://educationcabinet.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Children Insurance Program (K-CHIP) (877) 524-4718 / TTY/TDD: (877) KCHIP-19 (877) 524-4719
Hispanic Interpreter: (800) 662-5397
K-CHIP’s mission is to provide free health insurance to low income, uninsured children in Kentucky. The K-CHIP staff understands that access to health care is important and that preventive care is a large part of health care. kidshealth.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence 111 Darby Shire Circle, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 209-5382
In addition to providing a safe, secure environment for victims/survivors and their children, programs now also offer a variety of support services to residents and non-residents, including legal/court advocacy, case management, safety planning, support groups, individual counseling, housing assistance, job search and children’s groups. / www.kcadv.org
Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 632 Versailles Road, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 573-2604 / Videophone: (502) 416-0607
kcdhh@ky.org / www.kcdhh.ky.gov
Provide effective and efficient leadership, education, advocacy and programs to eliminate barriers and to meet the social, economic, educational, cultural, intellectual and health and human services needs of deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians.
Kentucky Community Mental Health Centers
275 E. Main St., 6W-D, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 / (502) 564-6890
Are
We Missing Resources?
goal at Exceptional Family Magazine is to provide a comprehensive, statewide list of resources for people with disabilities. Since we first published this magazine in 2009, we have updated and expanded our list of resources many times.
us continue to make this Resource Directory as accurate and thorough as possible. If you know of resources in the state or in your part of Kentucky that need to be included, please let us know. Thanks for your assistance and we look forward to hearing from you.
add to this Resource Directory, simply contact Editor John Lynch by phone (859) 494-1140 or email at johnplynch1950@gmail.com. n
Our
Help
To
22 www.lexingtonfamily.com
Publicly-funded community services are provided for Kentuckians who have problems with mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities, or substance abuse, through Kentucky’s 14 regional Boards for Mental Health or Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (Regional MHID Boards). Regional MHID Boards are private, nonprofit organizations established by KRS Chapter 210 (see Related Links) which serve residents of a designated multicounty region. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dpo/bpb/Pages/cmhc.aspx
Regional Offices:
Adanta MH / MR Board
130 Southern School Road, Somerset, Ky., 42501 (606) 679-4782
Serving Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne counties. www.adanta.org
Communicare, Inc.
107 Cranes Roost Ct., Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 (270) 765-2605
Serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Washington counties. www.communicare.org
Comprehend, Inc.
610 Elizaville Ave., Flemingsburg, Ky., 41041 (606) 849-2212
Serving Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, Robertson counties. / www.comprehendinc.org
Cumberland River Behavioral Health
1203 American Greeting Card Road, Corbin, Ky., 40702 (606) 528-7010
Serving Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley counties. / www.crbhky.org
Four Rivers Behavioral Health
425 Broadway, Suite 201, Paducah, Ky., 42001 (270) 442-7121 / 24-hour Line (800) 592-3980
Serving Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Gallatin, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, McCracken,Marshall counties. www.4rbh.org
Ky. River Community Care
3830 Kentucky Highway 15-South, Jackson, Ky., 41339 (606) 666-7591
Serving Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe counties. krccnet.com
Lifeskills
380 Suwanee Trail St., Bowling Green, Ky. 42103 (270) 901-5000
Serving Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren counties. www.lifeskills.com
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center
104 S. Front Ave., Prestonsburg, Ky., 41653 (606) 886-8572
Serving Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, Pike counties. www.mtcomp.org
New Vista
1351 Newtown Pike, Building 5, Lexington, Ky., 40511 (859) 253-1686 / (859) 272-7483
24-hour help line (800) 928-8000
Serving Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford counties. newvista.org
NorthKey Community Care
502 Farrell Drive, Covington, Ky., 41011 (859) 578-3200 / (877) 331-3292
Serving Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton counties. / www.northkey.org Pathways, Inc.
P.O. Box 790, 1212 Bath Ave., Ashland, Ky., 41101 (606) 329-8588
Serving Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan counties. www.pathways-ky.org
Pennyroyal MH / MR Board
3999 Fort Campbell Blvd., Hopkinsville, Ky., 42240 (270) 886-2205
Serving Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg counties. www.pennyroyalcenter.org
RiverValley Behavioral Health, Inc.
1100 Walnut St., Owensboro, Ky., 42302 (270) 689- 6500
Serving Davies, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster counties. / www.rvbh.com
Seven Counties Services
10401 Linn Station Road, Suite 100, Louisville, Ky. 40223 / (502) 589-1100
Serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble counties. / www.sevencounties.org
Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
275 E. Main St., 4W-F, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-4527 / (502) 564-7700
The department oversees services in Kentucky to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use disorders.
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dbhdid/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Early Intervention System
275 E. Main St., HS2WC, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-3756
Kentucky Early Intervention System is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. Kentucky Early Intervention System is Kentucky’s response to the federal Infant-Toddler Program. Kentucky Early Intervention System offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/ecdb/Pages/keis.aspx
Regional Offices: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/ecdb/fs/ POElistingforWebsite.pdf
Barren River District Point of Entry
P.O. Box 6499, 380 Suwannee Trail, Bowling Green, Ky., 42103 / (270) 901-5749 / (800) 643-6233
Counties served: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren
Big Sandy District Point of Entry
104 South Front Ave., Prestonsburg, Ky., 41653 (606) 886-4417 / (800) 230-6011
Counties served: Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, Pike Buffalo Trace District Point of Entry 420 East 2nd St., Maysville, Ky., 41056
(606) 564-3919 / (800) 335-4249
Counties served: Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, Robertson
Cumberland Valley District Point of Entry
175 East Peachtree St., Corbin, Ky., 40701 (606) 523-0229 / (800) 509-9559
Counties served: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley.
FIVCO District Point of Entry
5850 U.S. 60, Box 11 Summit Plaza, Ashland, Ky., 41102 / (606) 929-9155 / (800) 650-1329
Counties served: Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence Gateway District Point of Entry
P.O. Box 290, Owingsville, Ky., 40360 (606) 674-3204 / (800) 942-4358
Counties served: Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan Green River District Point of Entry
1501 Breckenridge St., Owensboro, Ky., 42303 (270) 852-2905 / (888) 686-1414
Counties served: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster
Kentuckiana District Point of Entry
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 020, Louisville, Ky., 40222 / (502) 429-1249 / (800) 422-0087
Counties served: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble
Kentucky River District Point of Entry
115 Rockwood Lane, Hazard, Ky., 41701 (606) 439-1325 / (800) 328-1767
Counties served: Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe
Lake Cumberland District Point of Entry
259 Parkers Mill Road, Somerset, Ky., 42501 (606) 678-2821 / (800) 378-2821
Counties served: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne Lincoln Trail District Point of Entry
2935 Dolphin Drive, Suite 204, Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 (270) 737-5921 / (800) 678-1879
Counties served: Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Washington
New Vista District Point of Entry
1351 Newtown Pike, Building 5, Lexington, Ky., 40511 (859) 271-9448 / (800) 454-2764
Counties served: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford
Northern Kentucky District Point of Entry
NorthKey Community Care: 502 Farrell Drive, Covington, Ky., 41011 / (859) 578-3200
St. Elizabeth: Community Outreach Building
4900 Houston Road, Florence, Ky., 41042 (859) 655-1195
Counties served: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton
Pennyrile District Point of Entry
400A Hammond Plaza, Hopkinsville, Ky., 42240 (270) 886-5186 / (877) 473-7766
Counties served: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg
Purchase District Point of Entry
425 Broadway, Suite 204, Paducah, Ky., 42001
Resource List 2023
23 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Resource List 2023
(270) 442-6223 / (800) 648-6599
Counties served: Ballard, Carlisle, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken.
Kentucky IMPACT Program
275 E. Main St., 4W-G, Frankfort , Ky., 40621 (502) 564-4456
Kentucky IMPACT is a statewide program that coordinates services for children with severe emotional disabilities and their families. IMPACT serves children and youth of all ages.
https://dbhdid.ky.gov/dbh/kyimpact.aspx
The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
The Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero St.,4th floor NE, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4440 / (800) 372-7172
The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence. The organization recognizes and respects the contribution of all individuals as a necessary and vital part of a productive society. https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation
To find a Regional office, visit: https://kcc.ky.gov/Pages/Locations.aspx
Kentucky Transitions (Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant)
275 East Main St., 6 W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-0330 / (877) 564-0330
Kentucky Transitions helps people move out of nursing facilities or institutions and into their own homes. The Department for Medicaid Services developed the program in 2008 with a Money Follows the Person demonstration grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kentucky Transitions has helped more than 750 people leave institutional care. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/kytransitions.aspx
Medicaid Waiver Provider Directory
The Provider Directory is maintained by the Division of Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities. Contact information for provider agencies certified to provide SCL/Michelle P. Medicaid waiver services may be accessed in this interactive map. https://dbhdid.ky.gov/ProviderDirectory/ProviderDirectory.aspx
Division of Community Alternatives
Medicaid Waivers
275 E. Main St., 6W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (855) 459-6328 / (502) 564-1647
If you have a disability or are elderly, you may qualify for a 1915(c) Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver. These waivers provide the support you need to live as independently as possible. The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) offers six waiver programs: ABI Acute and ABI Long-Term Care Waivers; Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver; Model II Waiver (MIIW); Michelle P. Waiver; Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver; Kentucky Transitions. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/default.aspx
Career and Technical Education
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4286
https://education.ky.gov/CTE/Pages/default.aspx
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an essential component of the high school curriculum. It is a critical component in meeting the needs of students in academic achievement, career exploration, career preparation and leadership development.
Personal Care Attendant Program Department for Aging and Independent Living
275 E. Main St., 3E-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-6930 Ext 3477
The Personal Care Attendant Program helps severely physically disabled adults at risk of being institutionalized to live in their own homes and communities by subsidizing costs of personal attendant services. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/pcap.aspx
Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213 / www.ssa.gov
Regional Offices: https://www.benefitsoffices.com/state/index. php?st=KY&page=1
Ashland
1405 Greenup Ave., Room 132, Ashland, Ky., 41101 (866) 269-3993
Bowling Green
2724 Chandler Drive, Bowling Green, Ky., 42104 (877) 801-0817
Campbellsville
101 Hiestand Farm Road, Campbellsville, Ky., 42718 (877) 828-1695
Corbin
159 Future Drive, Corbin, Ky., 40701 / (877) 405-0470
Danville
103 Belinda Blvd., Danville, Ky., 40422 / (877) 512-3850
Elizabethtown
591 Westport Road, Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 (866) 596-7123
Florence
7 Youell St., Florence, Ky., 41042 / (800) 772-1213
Frankfort
140 Flynn Ave., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 / (866) 964-1724
Harlan
189 Village Center, Harlan Ky., 40831 / (888) 590-2707
Hazard
122 Reynolds Lane, Hazard, Ky., 41701 (877) 405-0491
Henderson
2000 North Elm, Henderson Ky., 42420 (855) 628-1593
Hopkinsville
1650 Marie Drive, Hopkinsville, Ky., 42240 (877) 405-7656
Jackson
850 KY-15 N., Jackson, Ky., 41339 / (866) 366-4920
Lexington
2241 Buena Vista Road, Lexington, Ky., 40505 (866) 530-7754
Louisville
10503 Timberwood Circle, Louisville, Ky., 40223 (888) 280-5851
Louisville
601 W. Broadway, Louisville, Ky., 40202 (866) 716-9671
Madisonville
4431 Hanson Road, Madisonville, Ky., 42431 (877) 626-9912
Mayfield
1526 Cuba Road, Mayfield, Ky., 42066 (866) 931-8366
Maysville
509 Market Place Drive, Maysville, Ky., 41056 (855) 807-8802
Middlesboro
10 S.E. Tech Dr., Middlesboro, Ky., 40965 (877) 619-2853
Owensboro
4532 Lucky Strike Loop, Owensboro, Ky., 42303 (866) 836-5834
Paducah
125 Brett Chase Road, Paducah, Ky., 42003 (866) 614-7905
Pikeville
333 Hambley Blvd., Pikeville, Ky., 41501 (888) 676-2942
Prestonsburg
1897 Ky. Route 321, Prestonsburg, Ky., 41653 (888) 450-4538
Richmond
1060 Gibson Bay Drive, Richmond, Ky., 40475 (866) 838-8945
Somerset 3975 U.S.-27, Somerset, Ky., 42501 / (877) 714-0375
ADOPTION AND FOSTERING
Adoption Support for Kentucky
UK College of Social Work, 619 Patterson Office Tower Lexington Ky., 40511 / (859) 257-6650 (888)-44-ASKKY / ask@uky.edu
Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) is an awardwinning program that utilizes innovative training modalities and inclusive support group practices to meet the needs of foster, adoptive, relative, and fictive-kin caregivers throughout the Commonwealth.
https://socialwork.uky.edu/centers-labs/training-resourcecenter/adoption-support-for-kentucky/
The Bair Foundation
2393 Alumni Drive, Suite 205, Lexington, Ky., 40517 (859) 519-3273 / www.bair.org
Bair Foundation is a therapeutic Foster Care agency in the process of getting the certification for caring for medically complex children. Bair Foundation foster care families are specially trained to care for children with medical and behavioral needs. Bair Foundation provides trauma-informed care for all children, helping them face challenging behaviors, and provides them with stable environments while focusing on the child’s strengths.
24 www.lexingtonfamily.com
Benchmark Family Services
Therapeutic Foster Care, Kentucky Administrative Office
160 Burt Road, Lexington, Ky., 40503
(859) 899-9515
Provides quality out-of-home placements for youth in need by working with referring agencies to guarantee the support, treatment and care they deserve. Serves children with emotional, mental and physical disabilities along with youth who have been severely neglected or abused. Therapeutic services include training of foster families. Benchmark Family Services has offices in Berea, Bowling Green, Columbia, Corbin, Elizabethtown, Florence, Hazard, Irvine, Lexington, London, Louisville, Madisonville, Morehead, Owensboro, Owenton, Prestonsburg and Somerset. / www.benchmarkfamilyservices.org
Best Point (Formerly Children’s Home of Cincinnati)
5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45227 (513) 272-2800 / (513) 808-9632
Best Point is a private, non-profit social service agency that improves the lives of children and their families through services in four areas: adoption, early childhood, education and mental health. Best Point serves children of all ages and their families, including adoptive children, new parents needing support and guidance, children with special education needs, and children with mental health diagnoses. / www.tchcincy.org
Kentucky Faces
275 East Main St., 3C-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-7043.
DCBS/Adoption Service
https://prd.webapps.chfs.ky.gov/kyfaces
Key Assets Kentucky
961 Beasley St., Suite 160 &170, Lexington, Ky., 40509 (859) 226-5022
Key Assets provides support for specialized foster parents who care for children with developmental delays or autism. / www.keyassetskentucky.com
THE ARTS
Allegro Dance Project
(715) 252-6137 / info@allegrodanceproject.org
Based in Lexington, Allegro Dance Project is a non-profit contemporary dance company specializing in Inclusive dance outreach for children with Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other specific needs. www.allegrodanceproject.org
Arts for All Kentucky
601 College St., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 792-0023 / programs@artsforallky.org
Non-profit organization dedicated to providing inclusive arts and education programs for children, youth and adults with disabilities, in addition to professional development for artists and teachers in schools and communities statewide. Offers an under-served population equal opportunity to explore the arts in a way that is fully accessible. Through participatory involvement with trained professionals and volunteers, people with disabilities learn new creative and
social skills that open doors to new opportunities. www.artsforallky.org
Latitude Artist Community
740 National Ave., Suite 180, Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 806-0195
Latitude is an art studio that serves all people, with an emphasis on those who are considered to have a disability. The multimodal activities, workshops and community outreach events form a framework that encourages us to recognize our own life’s narrative, and to then choose ways in which we may contribute to the well-being of our community. / www.latitude-arts.com
Lexington Children’s Theatre
418 W. Short St., Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 254-4546
LCT is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to enjoy the magic of theatre. Join LCT for sensory friendly performances that are designed to be a safe environment where young people with sensory sensitivities or disabilities, first-time theatre goers, young children, and their friends and family are free to speak, respond and move around the seating area in reaction to the story. ASL interpretation and audio description are also available. / www.lctonstage.org/tickets/access-at-lct/
The SHINE House
402 North Main St., Somerset, Ky., 42501 (606) 416-5380
The SHINE House is a non-profit community arts center whose goal is to provide instruction in a variety of visual arts forms in a creative educational space developed with inclusion in mind. / www.theshinehouse.com
Wildwood Music Therapy
2375 Professional Heights Dr., Suite 134C Lexington, Ky., 40503 / (270) 869-5165
Board-certified music therapists provide music therapy and adaptive music lesson services for all ages and abilities. Sessions celebrate strengths and help clients achieve their goals. / wildwoodmusictherapy.com
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center 5659 Main St., Thelma, Ky., 41260 (606) 788-7080 / emily.jackson@ky.gov
The mission of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center is that persons will achieve sustainable, competitive, integrated employment, maximize independence, and gain self-respect through the provision of comprehensive services. Consumers may live on campus in dormitory housing or can commute to the Perkins Center each day they are scheduled for classes and/or therapy.
https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/cdpvtc/Pages/ default.aspx
HDI Center for Assistive Technology Services (CATS) 2358 Nicholasville Road, Suite 180, Lexington, Ky.,
40503 / (859) 218-7979
CATS is a non-profit, grassroots organization that assists individuals who have disabilities, their families and service providers in connecting with various technologies and services that provide the gateway to greater independence, productivity and quality of life. CATS is a member of the Alliance for Technology Access, The Eastern Regional Center for the Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network.
https://hdi.uky.edu/hdicats / www.facebook.com/HDICATS
KATS Network Disability Solutions Through Technology Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
8020 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Florence, Ky., 41042 / (800) 327-5287 / Info@katsnet.org
The Kentucky Assistive Technology Locator is a free service of the KATS Network that connects Kentuckians to the AT devices they need to live independently. By registering for an account, you can borrow devices to try, find used devices for free or low-cost, sell used devices, give away devices or place want ads for devices you need. www.katsnet.org
KATS Project CARAT (800) 327-5287
A program of KATS, CARAT enables under-served individuals with disabilities in the Appalachian region of Kentucky by collecting, refurbishing and redistributing assistive technology and durable medical equipment through a collaborative network of partners. The goal of Project CARAT is to make Assistive Technology and Durable Medical Equipment more accessible to those who need it in rural Kentucky. In order to make this happen, Project CARAT is partnering with agencies across the state. To request equipment or for donation information, call the ProjectCARAT Hotline at (800) 327-5287. https://www.katsnet.org/services/at-reuse/
Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corp. Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero St., 1st Floor NE, Frankfort Ky., 40601 (877) 675-0195
The Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) offers low interest loans for qualified applicants with disabilities for assistive technology. Notice:
December 2022: The Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation will be going through a reorganization. As a part of this process, KATLC will be looking for a new lending partner. The Board of Directors anticipate this being a six to nine month process. / www.katlc.ky.gov
Ky. Department of Education
Exceptional Children and Early Learning
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4970 / gretta.hylton@education.ky.gov
The Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) works to improve educational outcomes for diverse and early learners through training and coaching for local district staff and teachers, technical assistance, guidance and policy documents, and providing supports for students and their families.
www.education.ky.gov/specialed/Pages/default.aspx
Resource List 2023
25 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Resource List 2023
Redwood Assistive Technology Center (Easter Seals)
71 Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell, Ky., 41017 (859) 331-0880 / www.redwoodnky.org
Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Center
Wendell Foster’s Campus 815 Triplett St., Owensboro, Ky., 42302 / (270) 683-4517 / https://wendellfoster.org
AUTISM
Autism Society of the Bluegrass
P. O. Box 24212, Lexington, Ky., 40524-2412
Established in 1991 and a chapter of the Autism Society of America, ASBG is an all-volunteer group of families, caregivers and self-advocates. The mission is to provide community, education, advocacy and support to those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASBG hosts monthly meetings with speakers on a wide variety of topics related to autism. It also operates a discussion board and is active on social media. Everyone, including individuals, families, educators, therapists and healthcare providers, are welcome to participate. www.asbg.org / www.youtube.com/user/autismsocietybg www.facebook.com/Autism-Society-of-theBluegrass-122689954438582/
Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati
P.O. Box 75, Milford, Ohio, 45150 (513) 561-2300 / info@autismcincy.org
ASGC works to promote awareness and education about autism. ASGC provides information packets, support groups for families and individuals, newsletters and public speakers. / www.autismcincy.org
Autism Society of Kentuckiana
P.O. Box 21895, Louisville, Ky., 40221-0895
Rebecca Thompson, Kentucky Resident Contact (502) 263-5708 / info@ask-lou.org www.ask-lou.org
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
P.O. Box 66122, Washington, D.C., 20035 info@autisticadvocacy.org
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. / https://autisticadvocacy.org
Capital Area Autism Parents (CAAP) (502) 330-5223 / capitalareaautism@gmail.com
Established in 2013, Capital Area Autism Parents is a support group for parents, caregivers, autistic selfadvocates, and neurodivergent voices. Support group members will find resources, information, opportunities, and friendships. CAAP hosts meetings with speakers and events to bring awareness and education to the Central Kentucky community. CAAP values individuality and the uniqueness of every journey. CAAP believes no one should walk this journey alone and support is essential for every individual. / www.facebook.com/groups/CAAP2
Child & Adolescent Psychological Evaluations
Matt Lowry, LPP
120 Sears Ave., Suite 202, St. Matthews, Ky., 40207 (502) 265-6790
Families for Effective Autism Treatment
1100 E. Market St., Louisville, Ky., 40206 (502) 774-0797
Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Louisville is a non-profit organization that actively supports and funds autism programs for the entire family.
www.featoflouisville.org
Hopebridge
Provides a full range of professional services in one location for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays.
Lexington: 1300 E. New Circle Road, Suite 150, Lexington, Ky. 40505 / (859) 685-1019
Louisville East: 215 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite 213, Louisville, Ky., 40222 / (502) 353-2074 Louisville South: 175 Market Place Drive, Suite A, Louisville, Ky.,40229 / (502) 251-7002 Bowling Green: 2427 Russellville Road, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 936-7472
Edgewood: 2904 Foltz Drive, Edgewood, Ky., 41017 (859) 795-3000
www.hopebridge.com
The Kelly Autism Program Western Kentucky University Clinical Education Complex, 104 Alumni Ave., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 745-4232 cec@wku.edu
The Kelly Autism Program offers educational support through Individual Education Plan assistance, classroom adaptations and tutoring, community involvement through active participation in community activities, social and leisure activities, job coaching, and parent support.
www.wku.edu/kellyautismprogram
Ky. Autism Training Center at Kosair Charities University of Louisville
1405 E. Burnett Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40217 (502) 852-4631 / (800) 334-8635 ext. 852-4631 katc @ louisville.edu
www.louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining
Kentuckiana Autistic Spectrum Alliance (KASA)
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a national organization of autistic people advocating for the rights of autistic people. / kyautisticalliance@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/KASALouisville/
PACT: Police Autism Community Training
PACT is a non-profit program aimed at educating and raising autism awareness within Kentucky’s law enforcement departments. PACT seeks to increase awareness and knowledge through a classroom session focused on improving miscommunication among law enforcement officials and individuals with autism.
www.pactautism.com
CAMPS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Special Populations Division
Kummer Little Recreation Center, 333 College St., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 393-3265
cameron.levis@bgky.org
Programs and services offered provide all individuals, regardless of their ability level, opportunities for recreation and leisure. People with and without disabilities participate side by side in an inclusive environment. Activities include Bowling Green Special Olympics (softball, basketball, flag football, bowling, cheerleading, swimming, and track and field), adapted sports (wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and goal ball), and social gatherings (holiday parties, movie nights, dances and more).
www.bgky.org/bgpr/special-populations
Maysville Initiatives, Inc. Camp Discovery
33 W. Second St., 3rd Floor, Maysville, Ky., 41056 (606) 301-8338 / dsugarbaker@maysvilleinitiatives.com
A free, summer-long day camp for children aged 5-12 at Beechwood Park in Maysville. Swimming, field trips and supervised activities. The camp is open to children with disabilities. / maysvilleinitiatives.com/camp-discovery/
Camp Hendon
1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 108, Louisville, Ky., 40223 / (502) 272-2370 / info@camphendon.org
Camp Hendon is an all-volunteer camp for children (ages 8-17) with Type I diabetes. The camp provides two separate week-long residential camping sessions to empower children to take control of their journey with diabetes. / www.camphendon.org
Cassidy’s Cause Therapeutic Riding Academy
6075 Clinton Road, Paducah, Ky., 42001 (270) 554-4040
Cassidy’s Cause is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide individuals living with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational and recreational activities, while on a horse. www.cassidyscause.org
The Center for Courageous Kids
1501 Burnley Road, Scottsville, Ky., 42164 (270) 618-2900 / info@courageouskids.org
The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is a medical camp where children with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses will experience what a real camp is like, in a setting that is physically safe and medically sound. The camp offers children who are typically watching rather than participating the opportunity to fully engage in camp activities that focus on their abilities. Illness specific summer camps for children (7-15) and illness specific family weekend retreats, free of charge. / www.courageouskids.org
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
4185 Walt Robertson Drive inside the Kentucky Horse
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Park, Lexington, Ky., 40583
(859) 231-7066 / pat@ckrh.org
Operated at the Kentucky Horse Park
Under the guidance of trained teachers, volunteers and medical personnel, disabilities are challenged and new abilities are created. The program has proved successful in helping people with disabilities develop self-esteem, confidence, coordination and a sense of achievement while learning horsemanship and track riding principles. www.ckrh.org
Dream Riders of Kentucky Inc.
4705 Winkler Road, Philpot, Ky., 42366 (270) 613-0079 / dreamridersofkentucky@gmail.com
The mission of Dream Riders is to provide individuals with physical, cognitive, social, and/or emotional needs an opportunity to experience the joy of riding and the therapeutic value of horses. / www.dreamridersofky.org
Easter Seals Adaptive Recreation
2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 367-7217 / cindy.jacobelli@cardinalhill.org
Promotes healthy and active lifestyles for people with physical disabilities through education, exposure to adaptive equipment and adaptive recreation experiences in the community. www.cardinalhill.org/programs/adaptive-recreation
Kamp KESSA
758 Beechridge Road, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 376-4367
A non-profit resident camp serving populations who are at-risk and have special needs. Kamp KESSA provides adventure education and treatment programs utilizing horses and the wilderness. / www.cedarfire.net
Josephine Sculpture Park
3355 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 352-7082 / info@josephinesculpturepark.org
Interact with nearly 70 works of art as you explore 30 acres of walking paths through native meadows. The Park partners with schools and organizations to provide arts and nature programming to individuals with a disability. The Park is committed to making park grounds accessible for those with physical disabilities, and golf carts are available for those who need mobility assistance. (Please call or email before your visit to reserve). https://josephinesculpturepark.org
Legacy All Sports
261 Ruccio Way, Lexington, Ky., 40503 (859) 977-8862
Carousel Kidz is a program to meet your child’s special needs with one-on-one gymnastics lessons. http://legacyallsports.com/about-us/
Lex. Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation
200 E. Main St., Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 425-2255
Therapeutic Recreation programs provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy activities through recreation, leisure and play, and to showcase their talents and abilities. Programs are designed to enhance the overall health, wellness and social needs of individuals with
disabilities. A variety of recreation and sport opportunities are available such as adult fitness, adaptive aquatics, archery, Miracle League Baseball, cooking, summer camps, drama, hand drumming, art, day-trip outings, overnight excursions, bowling, horsemanship, dance class, special events, Zumba, yoga and more. www.lexingtonky.gov/tr
Louisville Parks and Recreation Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation
1300 Heafer Road, Louisville, Ky., 40223 (502) 456-8148
Offers adaptive sports and recreation for people in Jefferson and outlying counties. Programs include the state’s only Paralympics Sports Club, plus health and wellness classes such as nutrition, yoga, and exercise and strength training classes. Sports offerings include wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, bocce ball, pickle ball and wheelchair pickle ball, archery, adaptive golf, goal ball and beep baseball for people with low or no vision. Clinics are offered in track & field, wheelchair lacrosse, sled hockey and more. Louisville is also home to the state wheelchair basketball team, Louisville Spokes & Spires. https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/berrytownrecreation-center-adaptive-and-inclusive-recreation
LYSA’s TOPSoccer Program
Masterson Station Park
3051 Leestown Road, Lexington, Ky., 40511 (859) 223-5632
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based soccer program designed to meet the needs of athletes with physical, developmental, and/or intellectual disabilities. Player participation and development are key elements of the program. TOPSoccer is designed to improve the overall fitness, self-esteem and social skills of your athlete. / www.lysa.org/topsoccer
Special Olympics Kentucky
105 Lakeview Court, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 695-8222 / soky@soky.org
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. / www.soky.org
Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League
Central Lexington YMCA
239 East High St., Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 367-7515
A baseball program for youth and adults with special needs. The leagues play on a specially designed field located at Shillito Park in Lexington. The all-accessible field is the only one of its kind in Kentucky with leagues in both spring and fall.
www.facebook.com/pages/category/Disability-Service/ Toyota-Bluegrass-Miracle-League-59145356197
DOWN SYNDROME
Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky 2265 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 370, Lexington, Ky.,
40504 / (859)
494-7809
DSACK exists to celebrate the Down syndrome community, support individuals with Down syndrome and their families, educate the Central Kentucky community and assist in local and national research efforts. DSACK celebrates that all people are beautiful, capable and loved. Serves Central and Eastern Kentucky.
www.dsack.org
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati 4623 Wesley Ave., Suite A, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45212 (513) 761-5400
By providing families with support, inspiration and information, the Association helps individuals with Down syndrome achieve their maximum potential. Including individuals with Down syndrome in neighborhood schools, community activities and the business world benefits individuals and their respective communities.
www.dsagc.com
Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland
P.O. Box 6402, Elizabethtown, Ky., 42702-6402 (270) 312-1540 / info@dsheartland.org
This organization offers support to individuals with Down syndrome, as well as their families, friends, caregivers, teachers and coworkers. Plus, this organization strives to educate the public-at-large about Down syndrome. It is the desire of Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland for every individual who has been touched by Down syndrome, regardless of age, to have access to support and services that would aid each individual in reaching his or her individual potential. www.dsheartland.org
Green River Area Down Syndrome Association
Owensboro and surrounding area
P.O. Box 2031, Owensboro, Ky., 42302 (270) 993-2192 / info@gradsa.org
GRADSA’s mission is to enable families enriched with Down syndrome connection to share resources, build friendships, and advocate together for the future of individuals with Down syndrome. / www.gradsa.org
Down Syndrome of Louisville
5001 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40291 (502) 495 5088
Down Syndrome of Louisville is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 whose mission is to improve the lives of persons with Down syndrome and their families by providing support, information, education, and advocating for their rights and concerns, enabling individuals to reach their full potential. / https://dsoflou.org
Down Syndrome Association of South Central Ky. 522 State St., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 796-5002 / info@dssky.org / www.dssky.org
Down Syndrome Association of Western Kentucky
P.O. Box 7366, Paducah, Ky., 42002-7366 (270) 559-9026 / upsandowns@dsawk.com
DSAWK promotes public awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome by providing information, resources and support in the community. Generally,
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meetings are on the third Monday of the month at the Heartland Worship Center in Paducah. / www.dsawk.com
National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
30 Mansell Court, Suite 108, Roswell, Georgia, 30076 (770) 604-9500 / info@ndsccenter.org
The NDSC provides up-to-date information on topics of interest to people with Down syndrome, family members, friends, professionals and interested others. The Center works to promote the availability of and accessibility to a full range of opportunities and/or resources that meet individual and family needs. / www.ndsccenter.org
National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
1155 15th Street NW, Suite 540, Washington, D.C., 20005 / (800) 221-4602 / info@ndss.org
The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. / www.ndss.org
EDUCATION
The Council for Exceptional Children
3100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, Va., 22201 (888) 232-7733
The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC is known as the source for information, resources, and professional development for special educators. / www.cec.sped.org
EKU Center for Student Accessibility
521 Lancaster Ave., Whitlock Building, Room 361 CPO 66, Richmond, Ky., 40475 (859) 622-2933 / accessibility@eku.edu
Provides equal access to University resources, coursework, programs and activities by serving qualified individuals, and advocating for equal access for all individuals who qualify. / www.accessibility.eku.edu
Kentucky Department of Education: Special Education Services
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4970 / veronica.sullivan@education.ky.gov
This site includes information on all aspects of special education programs in public schools. We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you need further assistance with finding information on special education programs in Kentucky’s public schools, please contact us. www.education.ky.gov/specialed/excep/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky PTA
148 Consumer Lane, Frankfort Ky., 40601 or P.O. Box 654, Frankfort, Ky., 40602-0654 (502) 226-6607 / support@kypta.org / www.kypta.org
Kentucky State Department of Education
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-3141 education.ky.gov
Ky. State University Office of Disability Services
400 E. Main St., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 Hathaway Hall Office, Suite 107 (502) 597-6041 / phillip.clay@kysu.edu
The vision of the Office of Disability Services is to provide equal access and opportunities throughout the campus to individuals who have a disability, for academic and social success.
www.kysu.edu/academics/disability-svcs/index.php
Maysville Community and Technical College
Office of Disability Support Services
1755 US Hwy. 68, Maysville, Ky., 41056 (606) 759-7141
MCTC assures equal access through services and accommodations for students with disabilities. https://maysville.kctcs.edu/about/student-life/studentsupport-services/accessibility-services.aspx
Morehead State University Disability Service
Adron Doran University Center, Suite 202, Morehead, Ky., 40351 / (606) 783-5188 m.litton@moreheadstate.edu
This office ensures that the university’s programs, activities, services and the campus itself are accessible to all students and visitors. moreheadstate.edu/student-support/disability-services/
Northern Kentucky University Office of Disability Services
Louie B. Nunn Dr., Student Union, Suite 303 Highland Heights, Ky., 41099 (859) 572-5282 / osa@nku.edu
NKU provides learner-centered assistance and resources to students with disabilities in their transition to Northern Kentucky University. / inside.nku.edu/disability.html
Family Resource and Youth Centers
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 E. Main St., 3C-G, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-4986 / mysti.white@ky.gov
Nearly all public schools in the state have Parent Resource Centers, which are divided into 11 Regions. The mission is to remove nonacademic barriers to learning as a means to enhance student academic success. The Centers are also places where families of children with special needs can receive parent-to-parent counseling on special education issues and concerns. Families are welcome to visit and preview materials from the lending library, which has many books, videotapes and periodicals related to disability. The staff can connect parents to resources and support groups and also help with online research. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dfrcvs/dfrysc/Pages/regions.aspx
Regional Offices:
Region 1: Program Manager William Owen (270) 339-2192 / william.owen@ky.gov
Counties Served: Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Graves, Fulton, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg. Plus: Dawson Springs Independent, Fulton Independent, Mayfield Independent, Murray Independent, Paducah Independent.
Region 2: Program Manager Heather McCarty (270) 285-2553 / heather.mccarty@ky.gov
Counties Served: Butler, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Logan, McLean, Ohio, Simpson, Union, Warren, Webster
Region 3A: Program Manager Naela Imanyara (502) 271-7720 / naela.imanyara@ky.gov
Region 3B: Program Manager Andrea Pike-Goff (502) 564-4986/ andrea.pikegoff@ky.gov
County Served: Jefferson
Region 4: Program Manager Betty Pennington (859) 227-8206 / betty.pennington@ky.gov
Counties Served: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Kenton, Oldham, Owen, Shelby, Trimble
Region 5: Program Manager Paul Cookendorfer (859) 230-2104 / paul.cookendorfer@ky.gov
Counties Served: Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Franklin, Grant, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Pendleton, Scott, Woodford
Region 6: Program Manager Maggie Myers (859) 200-7777 / maggie.myers@ky.gov
Counties Served: Bullitt, Boyle, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Lincoln, Marion, McCreary, Nelson, Pulaski, Russell, Spencer, Taylor, Washington, Wayne
Region 7: Program Manager Doug Jones (606) 207-4287 / wdouglas.jones@ky.gov
Counties Served: Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Robertson, Rowan
Region 8: Program Manager Teresa Combs (606) 272-7031 / teresa.combs@ky.gov
Counties Served: Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Wolfe
Region 9: Program Manager Russell Jones (606) 545-2110 / russell.jones@ky.gov
Counties Served: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley
Region 10: Program Manager Lisa McKenzie (859) 661-9629 / lisa.mckenzie@ky.gov
County Served: Fayette
Region 11: Program Manager Sherrie Baughn Martin / (270) 505-6533 / sherrie.martin@ky.gov
Counties Served: Adair, Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe.
Special Needs Homeschooling
A blog written by a mother with children with special needs, the author provides resources she has found helpful in homeschooling her children. www.specialneedshomeschooling.com
University of Kentucky Disability Resource Center 725 Rose St., Multidisciplinary Science Building Suite 407, Lexington, Ky., 40536 (859) 257-2754 / drc@uky.edu
The DRC provides services to the University community so students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of University life.
www.uky.edu/DisabilityResourceCenter
University of Louisville Disability Resource Center 119 Stevenson Hall, Louisville, Ky., 40292 (502) 852-6938 / askdrc@louisville.edu
In recognition of disability as an important part of the diversity of the community, the DRC fosters an inclusive campus climate through education, service, collaboration,
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and outreach to the University of Louisville community. www.louisville.edu/disability
Western Kentucky University
Student Accessibility Resource Center
1906 College Heights Blvd., Suite 21052 Downing Student Union, First Floor, 1074 Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 745-5004 / sarc.connect@wku.edu
The goal of the SARC is to ensure that all students with disabilities are provided access to all facets of the Western Kentucky University experience; to facilitate and coordinate support services and programs that enable students with disabilities to maximize their educational potential; and to increase awareness among all members of the University so that students with disabilities are able to achieve academic success based on their abilities, not their disabilities. / www.wku.edu/sarc
EPILEPSY
Epilepsy Council of Greater Cincinnati 895 Central Ave., Suite 550, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 (513) 721-2905 / (877) 804-2241 eao@epilepsy-ohio.org / www.epilepsy-ohio.org
Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana Kosair Charities Centre, 982 Eastern Parkway Louisville, Ky., 40217 (502) 637-4440 / (866) 275-1078 / www.efky.org
LEARNING DIFFERENCES
Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile 538A Noel Ave., Hopkinsville, Ky., 42240 (270) 885-5804 / www.hopkinsvilledyslexia.com
The International Dyslexia Assn. – Ky. Branch P.O. Box 22006, Louisville., Ky., 40252 (502) 276-5153 / kentuckybranchida@gmail.com ky.dyslexiaida.org
LD Online
The world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD. / www.ldonline.org
Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky
2210 Goldsmith Lane, Suite 118, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (502) 473-1256
This comprehensive mental health professional program includes the “co-morbid” disorders often found with individuals with learning disabilities, including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anger control/ bipolar disorder and ADHD. / www.LDAofky.org
Ohio Valley Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
OVBIDAtutorline@yahoo.com
A non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia. This Branch was formed to increase public awareness of dyslexia in the Southern Ohio, Southeast Indiana, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia areas. ohv.dyslexiaida.org
Progressive Educational Program, Inc.
Cress Certified
212 Venture Way, Somerset, Ky., 42503 (606) 677-2514
contact@progressiveeducationalprogram.com
Dyslexia Tester. Specializing in tutoring children with Dyslexia. / www.progressiveeducationalprogram.com
Wilson Pediatric Therapy & Learning
424 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite B 100, Lexington, Ky., 40503 / (859) 475-4305
Working with children with dyslexia and other learning differences. / www.wilsonpediatric.com
LEGAL & FUTURE’S PLANNING
Children’s Law Center
Covington Office: 1002 Russell St., Covington, Ky., 41011 (859) 431-3313 / info@childrenslawky.org
Lexington Office: c/o Imani Family Life Center
215 W. Short St., Suite 205, Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 253-3353 / info@childrenslawky.org
Provides free legal services for children with educational disabilities, and performs research and policy work, training and education in this area. / www.childrenslawky.org
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children
Kentucky CASA Network, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 108, Louisville, Ky., 40223 / (502) 238-2154
CASA volunteers are everyday citizens appointed by judges to advocate for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. Last year in Kentucky, more than 800 CASA volunteers advocated for the best interest of nearly 3,000 children in Kentucky. CASA has 20 offices throughout the state. To locate one in your area, visit the web site below. / www.kentuckycasanetwork.org
David A. Morris
Financial Planner & Chartered Special Needs Consultant
2086 Cream Ridge Road, Junction City, Ky., 40440 David.morris@tfaconnect.com / (859) 516-1024
Financial strategies for families with children with special needs.
ElderLaw Lexington
McClelland & Associates, PLLC, 1795 Alysheba Way, Suite 2102, Lexington, Ky., 40509 (859) 543-0061
Specializing in aspects of elder law and special needs planning.
www.elderlawlexington.com
Kentucky Division of Protection and Permanency
275 E. Main St., 3E-A, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-6852
If you believe a child is being abused, neglected or is dependent, call the Protection and Permanency office in your county or the Toll Free Child Protection Hot Line. (877) KYSAFE1 or (877) 597-2331. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dpp/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Office of Victims Advocacy
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 200 Frankfort, Ky., 40601 / (502) 696-5312
The Office of Victims Advocacy works to ensure crime victims are treated with respect and dignity as their case proceeds through the criminal justice system. https://ag.ky.gov/about/Office-Divisions/OVA/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Protection & Advocacy
5 Millcreek Park, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (800) 372-2988 / (502) 564-2967
The mission is to protect and promote the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through legally based individual and systemic advocacy and education. Staff includes professional advocates and attorneys. / www.kypa.net
Life Plan of Kentucky, Inc.
230 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 120 Lexington, Ky., 40503 / (859) 523-2323
Life Plan is a pooled special needs trust serving people with disabilities and their families in Kentucky who have countable resources in excess of $2,000 and need to maintain their eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. People can open an account with Life Plan where the funds can be professionally managed, and then requests can be made for expenses that improve the quality of the person’s life. Life Plan provides Trustee services for both individuals with disabilities as well as family members who wish to plan for the future.
www.lifeplanofky.org
Nick Wallace, Financial Planner
Northwestern Mutual 330 E. Main St., Suite, 300, Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 302-1223 / Nick.Wallace@nm.com
Provides financial planning, life insurance, investments for special needs families to fund special needs trusts and retirement.
www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/nick-wallace
MEDICAL AND THERAPY SERVICE PROVIDERS
Associates in Pediatric Therapy
Louisville Area: (502) 633-1007
Lexington Area: (859) 279-0252
Indiana Area: (812) 407-4440
Bowling Green Area: (270) 807-0335
APT’s unique appeal is that it offers a family approach
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with multiple pediatric services including Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Developmental Intervention and Audiology to the patient and family in a team approach. APT strives to provide therapy in a variety of locations that are appealing to the patient and family. www.kidtherapy.org
Blue Sprig Pediatrics
Lexington Autism Therapy Center
1035 Strader Drive, Suite 150, Lexington, Ky., 40505 (859) 899-9200
Georgetown Autism Therapy Center
104 Market Path, Georgetown, Ky., 40324 (502) 632-6241
Techniques and procedures are guided by the science of Applied Behavior Analysis by Board Certified Behavior Analysts. / bluesprigautism.com
Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky
7321 New La Grange Road, Suite 100 Louisville, Ky., 40222 / (502) 493-0609
BIAK is committed to serving those affected by brain injury through advocacy, education, prevention, outreach, service and support. / www.biak.us
Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital
2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 254-5701
https://encompasshealth.com/cardinalhillrehab
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs
3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229 (513) 636-4200 / TTY (800) 344-2462
www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/child/special-needs/ getting-started/about
Early Intervention & Consultation Services, LLC
Leitchfield: 635 S. Main St., Leitchfield, Ky., 42754 (270) 287-0656
Vine Grove: 298 Medley Court, Vine Grove (270) 352-1133
Owensboro: 722 Harvard Drive, Owensboro, Ky., 42301 (270) 240-1842
EICS, founded in 2010, is a pediatric therapy clinic that offers Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA/Applied Behavior Analysis (for those with autism). EICS also offers mental health counseling and case management. EICS has a licensed psychological associate who provides evaluations for different diagnoses such as autism, dyslexia, learning disabilities and behavioral disorders, etc. EICS also offers Michelle P. Waiver services such as Positive Behavior Supports and Community Living Supports. Please call the location nearest you for more information regarding the services offered at that clinic. www.eicsky.com
Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment Special Services (EPSDT)
Dept. of Medicaid Services, Children’s Health Services
275 E. Main St., 6C-C, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (800) 635-2570 / TTY (800) 775-0296
(502) 229-0875
The EPSDT Screening Program provides routine
physicals or well child check-ups for Medicaid eligible children at certain specified ages. EPSDT can also provide speech/language, physical and/or occupation therapy, and specialized durable medical equipment for children who qualify and need those services. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dpqo/dcmb/Pages/ epsdtspecialservices.aspx
Easter Seals Cardinal Hill
2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 367-7217
Promotes healthy and active lifestyles for people with physical disabilities through education, exposure to adaptive equipment and adaptive recreation experiences in the community.
https://cardinalhill.org/about/easter-seals/
Edelson and Associates, PSC
7511 New La Grange Road, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (502) 423-1151
230 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 420, Lexington, Ky., 40503 / (859) 287-0760
Neuropsychological, ADHD, learning disability, autism and psychological disorder evaluations. www.edelsonandassociates.info
Frazier Rehab Institute
UofL Health, 200 Abraham Flexner Way, Louisville, Ky., 40202 / (502) 582-7400 / (502) 587-4011
Known for world-class care in comprehensive acute rehab, Frazier Rehab Institute provides extensive therapy across a number of specialties for inpatient and outpatient rehab needs.
https://uoflhealth.org/locations/frazier-rehabilitation-institute/
HealthPoint Family Care
1401 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 41011 (859) 655-6100
HealthPoint Family Care’s vision is a community where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. The mission is to be the best provider of health services through compassion and innovation. www.healthpointfc.org/location/covington
Heartfelt Solutions
2831 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite A Louisville, Ky., 40220 / (502) 915-8343
Dedicated to improving the quality of life and increasing independence for individuals by providing effective person-centered and evidence-based health services. Those services include adult day training, community living supports, respite, person-centered coaching, supported employment, community access and ABA Therapy for individuals with autism. / www.hfssupportservices.com
Horn and Associates in Rehabilitation
2412 Greatstone Point, Lexington, Ky., 40504 4127 Todds Road, Lexington, Ky. 40509 (859) 224-4081
HRA offers assessments and intervention from a multidisciplinary team, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, developmental intervention, social work and case management. HRA provides independent evaluation and
intervention services.
www.horntherapy.com
Kentucky Children’s Hospital
University of Kentucky, 1000 S. Limestone St., Lexington, Ky., 40536 / (859) 257-1000 / (800) 333-8874
Established in 1957, UK HealthCare consists of the medical, nursing, health sciences, public health, dental and pharmacy patient care activities of the University of Kentucky, and in several off-site locations.
https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/kentucky-childrens-hospital
Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies
982 Eastern Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40217 (502) 635-6397
9810 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40299 (502) 584-9781
Since 1959, the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies has been helping children with special needs. Each week the Center sees more than 300 children facing challenges such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. / www.kidscenterky.org
The Kidz Club
1101 Herr Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (502) 210-5538 / info@thekidzclub.com
Bowling Green: 1347 Kentucky Hwy. 185, Suite 2, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 746-0333
Erlanger: 527 Watson Road, Erlanger, Ky., 41018 (859) 727-0800
Lexington: 2200 Regency Road, Lexington Ky., 40503 (859) 224-0799
Louisville: 7140 Preston Highway, Louisville, Ky., 40219 (502) 368-9318
Louisville: 225 N. 25th St., Louisville, Ky., 40212 (502) 365-2426
Louisville: 1517 Gagel Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40216 (502) 409-5316
The Kidz Club is a prescribed pediatric extended care facility that provides skilled nursing care in a daycare setting for children who are medically fragile. Kidz Club children range from having highly complex medical conditions to kids who simply need to be monitored or have medication delivered. The Kidz Club provides educational enrichment, therapy follow-through, field trips and activities in a fun social setting. Transportation can be provided. Medicaid and private insurance accepted. There are no costs to children or their family. / www.thekidzclub.com
The Kid SpOt Center (Pediatric Therapy)
Campbellsville: 50 Gene Cash Road, Campbellsville, Ky., 42718 / (270) 465-7768
Elizabethtown: 107 Financial Dr., Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 /(270) 763-8225
Bowling Green: 980 Morgantown Road, Bowling Green, Ky., 42104 / (270) 495-1312
Somerset: 200 Tower Circle, Somerset, Ky., 42503 (606) 416-5139
Grayson: 308 Horton Street, Suite B, Grayson, Ky., 41143 / (270) 283-3845
Louisville: 10019 Forest Green Blvd., Louisville, Ky., 40223 / (502) 893-1380
The Kid SpOt Center provides supports to families of children with disabilities. Services include Speech Therapy,
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Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Positive Behavior
Supports, ABA, Mental Health Counseling, Community Living Supports, Social Skills, Targeted Case Management, Medication Management and Neuropsychology Evaluations. / www.thekidspotcenter.com
Kraska & Associates, Inc.
437 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite 120, Lexington, Ky., 40503 / (859) 219-0956
Private practice providing occupational and speech therapy services. Family-centered approach. Areas of specialty include sensory integration, sensory processing disorder, fine motor/handwriting, dyspraxia, autism, Asperger’s, articulation, phonological disorders and reading programs. / www.kraskaandassociates.com
Marshall Pediatric Therapy
Lexington: 3450 Richmond Road, Suite 130 Lexington, Ky., 40509 / (859) 327-3033
Nicholasville: 109 Wind Haven Drive, Suite 100, Nicholasville, Ky., 40356 / (859) 224-2273
Georgetown: 117 East Jefferson, Georgetown, Ky., 40324 / (502) 316-6180
Richmond: 1013 Center Dr., Richmond, Ky., 40475 (859) 444-5330
Offers occupational and speech therapy for Lexington and surrounding counties. The practice accepts EPSDT, most private insurance plans, participates with Kentucky First Steps, and offers payment plans and provides needbased scholarships from birth to age 21. https://marshallpediatrictherapy.com
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Indiana-Kentucky-Tennessee Chapter
214 Overlook Circle, Suite 153 Brentwood, Tenn., 37027 / (800) 344-4867 https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/TNS
NorthKey Community Care
Multiple locations in Northern Kentucky (859) 578-3200 / (877) 331-3292
NorthKey is paving the way to a community that is healthy in mind and spirit in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas with a comprehensive continuum of mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse care. www.northkey.org/services/developmental-disabilities-services
UofL Department of Pediatrics
571 S. Floyd St., Suite 432, Louisville, Ky., 40202 (502) 852-8600
Provides center-based and outreach diagnostic evaluations and treatment to infants and children with, or at risk for, developmental disabilities, autism, organic behavior disorders (ADHD) and learning disabilities. Serves children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and/or feeding disorders. Comprehensive care of children with inborn errors of metabolism is provided through medical and dietary management and enzyme infusion. https://louisville.edu/medicine/departments/pediatrics/ divisions/developmental-behavioral-genetics
Norton Children’s Development Center
411 E. Chestnut St., Louisville, Ky., 40202 (502) 588-0850
Norton Children’s Development Center, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, provides pediatric developmental-behavioral care for children with a wide range of developmental and behavioral conditions. Services include multidisciplinary evaluations for diagnosing complex disorders of behavior and development; feeding therapy; neuropsychological evaluations; behavior therapy with parent coaching; and medication management. https://nortonchildrens.com/services/developmentalbehavioral-pediatrics/
Norton Children’s Hospital
231 E. Chestnut St., Louisville, Ky., 40402 (502) 629-6000
Norton Children’s Hospital is a 253-bed teaching facility and serves as a referral center for central and western Kentucky and southern Indiana. The hospital is also the primary pediatric teaching hospital for the University of Louisville health sciences program. Each year there are approximately 8,000 admissions, 50,000 Emergency Department visits and 10,500 outpatient clinic visits. nortonchildrens.com/location/hospitals/norton-childrens-hospital
Passport Health Plan
5100 Commerce Crossings Drive, Louisville, Ky., 40229 (800) 578-0603 / TDD (800) 691-5566
Passport Health Plan is a Medicaid managed care plan that has been coordinating health services to qualified members since 1997. Passport is community-based and provider-sponsored, and the only non-profit Medicaid health plan available to members in Kentucky. The mission is to “improve the health and quality of life of our members,” which Passport follows every day through exceptional customer service, a large provider network, and case and disease management programs.
www.molinahealthcare.com/members/ky/en-us/Pages/ home.aspx
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass
1300 Sports Center Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 268-0757
This charity exists to create and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and to strengthen families by keeping them together in times of medical need. / www.rmhclexington.com
Shriners Hospitals for Children
110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, Ky., 40508 (859) 266-2101
Shriners Hospitals for Children has a mission to provide the highest quality care to children with orthopedic or neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment. / www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/lexington
SKY Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Mandy Ashley, DMD, MsEd, MS 234 Natchez Trace Ave., Bowling Green, Ky., 42103 (270) 715-5437
Dentistry for children and teens with special needs. www.skypediatricdentistry.com
Square One Specialists in Child and Adolescent Development
Resource List 2023
6440 Dutchmans Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 896-2606 / info@squareonemd.com
Comprehensive medical, psychological, psychiatric, educational, and speech-language evaluations are offered to help understand differences that impact children’s and adolescents’ development, behaviors and emotions. www.squareonemd.com
M ENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
360 Mental Health Services
1517 Nicholasville Rd., Suite 302, Lexington, Ky., 40515 (859) 948-9471 / tim@360mentalhealth.com
Dr. Tim Houchin is one of only approximately 200 physicians triple-board certified in child/adolescent psychiatry, general psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. He believes in a holistic, 360-degree approach to evaluating and treating both children and adults. www.360mentalhealth.com
Build Inclusion, Inc.
P.O. Box 23030, Lexington, Ky., 40523 (859) 221-6689
Build Inclusion promotes intentional inclusion, access, and opportunities through community & family education, engagement, and most of all, meaningful, competitive employment. Build Inclusion facilitates success for individuals in transition to adulthood in preparing for and fully participating in this next stage of their lives. Clinical social work services are also available for the ID/DD population. / www.buildinclusion.org
Children and Family Counseling Associates
100 S. Main St., Harrodsburg, Ky., 40330 (859) 733-9241
Additional offices in Lexington, Danville, Richmond, and Stanford
Children and Family Counseling Associates has been serving adults, children, schools, and families in Central Kentucky for more than 20 years. CAFCA provides a wide variety of mental health services, including individual and group therapy, psychological evaluations and assessments, EMDR therapy, after-school programs, adult day training, case management and more. / www.cafcainc.com
Louisville ADHD / Dr. F. Allen Walker
11405 Park Road, Suite 220, Louisville, Ky., 40223 (502) 384-ADHD (2343) / www.louisvilleadhd.com
Mental Health America
MHA is the nation’s leading community-based non-profit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. The work is driven by a commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.
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Resource List 2023
Regional Offices:
Mental Health America of Kentucky
1588 Leestown Road, Suite 130 #279, Lexington Ky., 40511 / (859) 684-7778 / mhaky@mhaky.org
www.mhaky.org
Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio
1002 Monmouth, Newport, Kentucky 41071 (859) 431-1077 / www.mhanky.org
NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. / www.nami.org
NAMI Kentucky
201 Mechanic St., Suite 219, Lexington, Ky., 40507 (859) 225-6264 / www.namiky.org
Regional Offices:
Ashland
Dinah Adamson: (606) 782-3261
Philip Bloomer: (606) 371-7123
Carol Murilleo: (606) 356-3181
Jeanne Nolan: (606) 615-4068
Charity Ward: (513) 713-4430
Bourborville
Daniel Essek: (606) 545-2019
Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793
Bowling Green
Rebecca Coursey: (270) 772-2779
Buffalo Trace
Sharon Darnell: (606) 584-2716
Dinah Adamson: (606) 782-3261
Butler County
Christy Havens: (270) 999-0633
Deborah Weed & Larry Gregory: (270) 796-2606
Cumberland River
Melony Cunningham: (859) 225-6264
Danville
Kristina Deyo: (859) 608-1728
Susan Rogers: (512) 669-3089
Floyd County
Winnie Hall: (606) 791-3307
Gallatin County
Autsin McQuistion: (513) 706-7093
Green River
Jasmine Cox: (270) 283-2034
Hazard
Nicole Smith: (606) 233-4372
Mary Prater: (606) 253-8039
Heartland
Melony Cunningham: (859) 225-6264
Hopkinsville
Melony Cunningham: (859) 225-6264
Jackson County
Olivia Hays: (606) 344-6090
Jordan Hays: (606) 975-3677
Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793
Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019
Jessamine County
Venkat Sudharshan: (859) 913-1047
Amberosya King: (859) 272-7891
Lexington
Dr. Fareesh Kanga: (859) 229-7128
Phill Gunning: (859) 272-7891
Julie Caudill: (859) 245-4442
London
Shelia Anglin-Stone: (606) 878-8776
Lila Sweet: (606) 401-7410
Steven Hoeck: (606) 231-6817
Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019 / (606) 282-3793
Louisville
Steward Bridgeman: (502) 588-2008
Nancy Brooks: nancy.brooks@namilouisville.org
Rhonda Blandford: (502) 457-6132
Madison County
Myranda McClure: (859) 986-6301
Madisonville
Melony Cunningham: (859) 225-6264
Mayfield
Nicole Champion: (270) 970-7223
Brenda Benson: (270) 748-6133
Montgomery County
Veronica Crump: (859) 398-3710
Morehead
Carol Mauriello: (606) 356-9194
Mountain Region
Mary Prater: (606) 319-3115
Murray
Brenda Benson: (270) 748-6133
Northern Kentucky
Susan Faris: (859) 308-9212
Mitch Haralson: (859) 392-1730
Owensboro
Mindi Peay: (270) 702-6076
Vanessa Roff: (502) 415-3586
Paducah
Jana Wilson: (270) 816-2671
Phyllis Nunn: (270) 519-3414
Nicole Champion: (270) 970-3641
Rachel McCary: (270) 205-0602
Grant McCary: (270) 727-1643
Pike County
Nathan Coleman: (606) 210-0187
Beverly Jones: (270) 635-1492
Jessica Rambo: (276) 614-4522
Scott County
Suzanne Fryman: (859) 221-6879
Nikki Rothwell: (859) 319-9757
Ellen Suter: (859) 200-6642
Somerset
Lisa Hays: (859) 878-6474
Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793
Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019
Union County
Melony Cunningham: (859) 225-6264
Winchester
Brenda Harrington: (859) 749-3702
Wolfe County
Ghedra Dunn: (606) 362-4962
Mary Prater: (606) 253-8039
NAMI University Locations:
Eastern Kentucky University
Megan Thomas: (606) 922-4285
Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793
Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019
Kentucky State University
Anthony Passarette: (631) 252-2850
Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793
Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019
University of Kentucky
Julie Neace: (859) 323-8487
Western Kentucky University
Jana Wilson: (270) 816-2670
New Vista
Regional Office: 1351 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Ky., 40511 / (859) 253-1686 / (859) 272-7483
24-hour help line (800) 928-8000
New Vista serves children and adults in 17 Central Kentucky counties through mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disability and primary care services. Individuals and families receive services at the location nearest to them. New Vista has four anchor centers providing a full range of services in Boyle, Fayette, Madison and Scott Counties. The anchor centers are surrounded by satellite offices in neighboring counties. www.newvista.org
MISCELLANEOUS
Alter UR Ego
P.O. Box 56, Farmers, Ky., 40319 / hello@alterurego.co
Adaptable clothing for people in wheelchairs to be fashionable and functional. For kids, teens and plus sizes. www.alterurego.co
NuMotion
Bowling Green
1960 Louisville Road, Suite 3A, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 904-4934
Lexington 973 Beasley St., Suite 110, Lexington, Ky., 40509 (859) 225-3624
Louisville
11380 Bluegrass Parkway, Jeffersontown, Ky., 40299 (502) 266-9061
With a strong local focus, NuMotion aims to be the most responsive and innovative complex wheelchair company with which to do business. / www.numotion.com
Superior Van & Mobility
761 E. New Circle Road, Lexington, Ky., 40505 (859) 253-1832
1506 Lakeshore Court, Louisville, Ky., 40223 (502) 447-8267
Superior Van & Mobility provides mobility solutions for the consumer and commercial transportation industry. Member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and a participant in NMEDAs Quality Assurance Program, which is recognition reserved for the highest quality mobility dealers. / www.superiorvan.com SCHOOLS
Academy for Individual Excellence
3101 Bluebird Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40299
32 www.lexingtonfamily.com
(502) 267-6187 / awroblewski@Aiexcellence.com www.aiexcellence.com
Child Development Center of the Bluegrass
290 Alumni Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40503 (859) 218-2322
Five-Star rated preschool for children with and without disabilities. Services provided include assessment, evaluations, and speech, physical and occupational therapy. www.cdcbg.org
Christian Academy of Louisville/Providence School
700 S. English Station Road, Louisville, Ky., 40245 (502) 244-3225 ext 1020
Mindy Crawford: (502) 244-3225 ext. 1020
CAL/Providence School serves children preschool through 8th grade with Down syndrome within an inclusive environment to promote language, social and spiritual goals. Students also receive small-group instruction to address individual goals. Curriculum and structure are designed to promote spiritual, cognitive, adaptive, language, motor and self-help skills. A Family Service Plan/ IFSP is written with each family specific to the needs of their child. The school works in relationship with Down Syndrome of Louisville. The school is adding a new grade each school year. Providence will serve K-12 by the 2025-2026 school year.
www.caschools.us/down-syndrome-providence-school
The dePaul School
1925 Duker Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 459-6131
Teaching students with learning differences how to learn, how to become independent, and how to become successful. / www.depaulschool.org
Growing Together Preschool, Inc.
599 Lima Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40511
(859) 255-4056
Has offered nurturing early child care and education services to children with and without disabilities and other special needs in an inclusive environment since 1982. Additional services include developmental screenings and assessment; behavior consultations; and physical, occupational and speech therapy. Teachers have experience working with children of varying abilities and advantages, and integrating recommended therapeutic practices into the classroom. GTP is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, rated 5 STARS through KY ALL STARS, and offers a Kentucky Proud farm to preschool menu. www.gtplex.org
The Kidz Club
1101 Herr Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40222
(502) 210-5538 / info@thekidzclub.com
Bowling Green: 1347 Ky. Hwy. 185, Suite 2 Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 746-0333
Erlanger: 527 Watson Road, Erlanger, Ky., 41018
(859) 727-0800
Lexington: 2200 Regency Road, Lexington Ky., 40503 (859) 224-0799
Louisville: 1517 Gagel Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40216 (502) 409-5316
Louisville: 225 N. 25th St., Louisville, Ky., 40212 (502) 365-2426
Louisville: 7140 Preston Highway, Louisville, Ky., 40219 (502) 368-9318
The Kidz Club is a prescribed pediatric extended care facility that provides skilled nursing care in a day care setting for children who are medically fragile. Kidz Club children range from having highly complex medical conditions to kids that simply need to be monitored or have medication delivered. The Kidz Club provides educational enrichment, therapy follow-through, field trips and activities in a fun, social setting. Transportation can be provided. Medicaid and private insurance accepted. There are no costs to the child or their family.
www.thekidzclub.com
KORE Academy
Tates Creek Christian Church
3150 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 971-7129
School for children with learning differences for grades K-12. / www.koreacademy.org
Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers
9402 Towne Square Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242 (513) 531-7400 / jeff@langsfordcenter.com
2520 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 473-7000
The Langsford difference – what separates the program from traditional “tutoring” programs – is that at Langsford professionals determine and address the underlying learning processes that cause learning difficulties. Langsford helps people of all ages who are doing well in school but exerting disproportional effort, as well as those who have been considered learning disabled or dyslexic. www.langsfordcenter.com
The Lexington School’s The Learning Center
1050 Lane Allen Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 278-0501 / shinard@thelexingtonschool.org
The Learning Center provides a unique and essential service to children with language-based differences by offering an alternative to traditional classrooms. By creating a teaching environment that eliminates the major obstacles to learning, students are able to close the gap between achievement and their potential. Teacher-student ratios of 1:4 allow for individualized instruction in the core areas of greatest need. In addition, low student-teacher ratios will be maintained in other subjects such as science, social studies, computer skills, specials and social skills. www.thelexingtonschool.org/the-learning-center
Meredith-Dunn School
3023 Melbourne Avenue, Louisville, Ky., 40220 (502) 456-5819 / dcrowe@meredithdunnschool.org
Serving families in the Louisville Metro area for over 50 years. Offering prescriptive, multi-sensory instruction for children with learning differences.
www.meredithdunnschool.org
The Provisions School & Family Counseling Center
301 Harvard Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40517 (859) 396-0644
The Provision School is a faith-based, non-profit,
therapeutic learning environment that encompasses the benefits of counseling services and individualized education for students of varying needs and abilities.
www.theprovision.org
Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool
Kosair Charities Center
3701 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40041
Located on the Masonic Homes Kentucky campus (502) 753-8222
Sproutlings is a dual-licensed program and has spaces for medically fragile children and children in traditional day care or preschool. Staffed by Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, teachers and teacher aides, and caring for a wide variety of medical conditions. Medicaid and private insurance are accepted.
www.SproutlingsDayCare.com
Stewart Home School
4200 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 227-4821
Discover a residential school that offers lifelong learning, a postsecondary experience, the opportunity to attain a GED, vocational training and countless social and recreational activities among friends from all around the world.
www.stewarthome.com
Summit Academy of Louisville
11508 Main St., Louisville, Ky., 40243 (502) 244-7090 / dstrothman@summit-academy.org
Summit Academy is an independent, non-profit K-12 school in Louisville. Summit Academy provides a transformative educational experience for students who learn differently by cultivating each student’s academic, social and emotional success in a vibrant and compassionate environment. Summit provides a place where each student’s learning challenges are understood and met using a whole child approach; a place where the school celebrates and develops children’s strengths, as well as addressing their area of difficulty. It’s a safe place where each young learner is treated and educated as an individual – in an atmosphere of caring and respect that allows students to succeed.
www.summit-academy.org
SERVICE DOGS
Paws With Purpose
P.O. Box 5458, Louisville, Ky., 40255 (502) 689-0804 / Info@PawsWithPurpose.org
pawswithpurpose.org
Wildcat Service Dogs University of Kentucky 210 E. High St., P.O. Box 612, Lexington, Ky., 40507 wildcatservicedogs@gmail.com
https://uky.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ wildcatservicedogs
2023
Resource List
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Resource List 2023
SERVICE PROVIDERS (COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL)
For a complete list of Service Providers licensed in Kentucky please see: https://providerdirectory.dbhdid.ky.gov/
BrightSpring Health Services
805 N. Whittington Pkwy, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (800) 866-0860 / (502) 394-2100
Provider of comprehensive home and communitybased health services to complex populations in need of specialized care. www.brightspringhealth.com
Cedar Lake
9505 Williamsburg Plaza, Suite 200 Louisville, Ky., 40222 / (502) 495-4946
Cedar Lake is committed to providing the highest quality of services to the people it supports. To demonstrate its commitment to the development of a compassionate and capable workforce, Cedar Lake has launched a career development program with ongoing educational opportunities to further sharpen people’s skills. In doing so, Cedar Lake employees develop a heightened sensitivity – or compassion – for the people they support and a clear understanding of how they can best support these individuals to live a life filled with abundant possibilities. www.cedarlake.org
Mattingly Edge
1930 Bishop Lane, Suite 1001, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (502) 451-6200
Mattingly Edge cultivates partnerships that enable people with disabilities to thrive at work, at home and in relationships. The mission is based on the belief that people with disabilities have the right to the same privileges and responsibilities as other citizens. Communities are better when everyone is included. “Real Jobs. Real Homes. Real Friends. Real Lives.”
www.mattinglyedge.org
New Perceptions
1 Sperti Drive, Edgewood, Ky., 41017 (859) 344-9322
This non-profit organization has been dedicated to enriching lives of those with intellectual/developmental disabilities since 1952.
newperceptions.org
New Vista
Regional Office: 1351 Newtown Pike Lexington, Ky., 40511
(859) 253-1686 / (859) 272-7483
24-hour help line (800) 928-8000
New Vista serves children and adults in 17 Central Kentucky counties through mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disability and primary care services. Individuals and families receive services at
the location nearest to them. New Vista has four anchor centers providing a full range of services in Boyle, Fayette, Madison and Scott Counties. The anchor centers are surrounded by satellite offices in neighboring counties. newvista.org
Options Unlimited Inc.
205 Castlerock Drive, Shepherdsville, Ky., 40165 (502) 955-7271 / t.carr@optionsunlimitedinc.org
Changing lives by helping people with disabilities become as independent as possible. Services include supported employment, school transitions program/PreETS, TLC training program at UPS, adult day program, deaf & hard of hearing. Serving Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer and Jefferson counties.
www.optionsunlimitedinc.org
Pathways
P.O. Box 790, Ashland, Ky., 41105 (606) 324-1141 / (800) 562-8909
Pathways assists in obtaining individual and familydetermined supports for persons who have developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities. Goals are to serve and enhance opportunities for making choices that promote inclusion as a valued citizen in all meaningful phases of community life.
www.pathways-ky.org
R.E.A.C.H of Louisville 501 Park Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40208 (502) 585-1911
REACH provides an exemplary Supports for Community Living program with support for individuals and families through highly qualified support staff, which includes psychologists, social workers, crisis support managers, recreational specialists and special educators. www.reachoflouisville.com
Easter Seals Redwood
71 Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell, Ky., 41017 (859) 331-0880
A non-profit organization funded by United Way, Redwood guides children and adults with multiple and severe disabilities to achieve independence and to reach their highest potential throughout their lives, by providing enriching educational, therapeutic and vocational services. www.redwoodnky.org
STRIDE
150 Maryland Ave., Winchester, Ky., 40391 (859) 744-0370
STRIDE serves individuals who have a learning or developmental disability and are at least 16 years of age. Daily programming includes cooking classes, dances, Special Olympic activities, daily living skills classes and much more in an effort to improve the quality of life for participants. All participants are expected to live up to their responsibilities at home, work and in the STRIDE program. Motto: “We have an obligation to expect the best out of our participants and try to help them to continue to improve their skills.” / www.strideky.org
Zoom Group
1904 Embassy Square Blvd., Louisville, Ky., 40299
(502) 581-0658
Zoom Group has been providing supports for individuals with disabilities for over 30 years. Zoom Group’s mission is to assist persons with disabilities to explore, create, and realize their journey. Zoom Group strives to create a community that is enriched by including and valuing persons with disabilities. / www.zoomgroup.org
SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND HEARING
Heuser Hearing Institute 117 E. Kentucky St., Louisville, Ky., 40203 (502) 584-3573
Heuser Hearing Institute (HHI) is a multi-specialty nonprofit campus promoting the needs of children and adults with disorders of hearing and balance. The organization has served Louisville and many of the surrounding Kentucky and Indiana communities since 1948.
www.thehearinginstitute.org
Kentucky School for the Deaf
303 South Second St., Danville, Ky., 40422 (859) 239-7017
Ensures that children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing have educational opportunities to develop their potential to become educated, life-long learners and productive citizens.
www.ksd.k12.ky.us
Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
632 Versailles Road, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (800) 372-2907 / kcdhh@mail.state.ky.us
www.kcdhh.ky.gov/
Kentucky Hands & Voices
P.O. Box 43914, Louisville, Ky., 40253 (888) 398-5030 / info@kyhandsandvoices.org
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven national organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The organization is nonbiased about communication methodologies and believes that families can make the best choices for their child if they have access to good information and support. The group consists of parents of ASL signers, cued speech users, kids with cochlear implants and total communicators. www.kyhandsandvoices.org
Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association
838 E. High St., Suite 263, Lexington, Ky., 40502 (800) 837-2446 / khsaoffice@khsa.info
The mission is to enhance the provision of quality services to persons with communication disorders and their families. KSHA provides broad-based education opportunities, public awareness and policy development initiatives, and supports professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology by promoting the highest standards for service providers.
www.ksha.info
34 www.lexingtonfamily.com
Lexington Hearing and Speech Center
350 Henry Clay Blvd., Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 268-4545
Provides diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services for individuals with hearing, speech and language impairments. / https://hscky.org
St. Rita School for the Deaf
1720 Glendale Milford Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45215 (513) 771-7600 / www.srsdeaf.org
SPINA BIFIDA
Cardinal Hill Center for Outpatient Services
2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 254-5701
https://encompasshealth.com/locations/cardinalhillrehab
Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies
982 Eastern Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40217 (502) 635-6397
9810 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40299 (502) 584-9781
Since 1959, the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies has been helping children with special needs. Each week the Center sees more than 300 children facing challenges such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida and cerebral palsy. / www.kidscenterky.org
Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky
Kosair Charities, 982 Eastern Parkway, Suite 18 Louisville, Ky., 40217 (502) 637-7363 / sbak@sbak.org
The Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky is a resource center for children, their families and adults affected by Spina Bifida. SBAK educates parents how to be the best advocate for their child, and helps children and adults overcome physical, cognitive and social challenges to become successful and independent. The mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and enhance the lives of all those affected. www.sbak.org
Shriners Hospitals for Children
110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, Ky., 40508
(859) 266-2101
Shriners Hospitals for Children has a mission to provide the highest quality care to children with orthopedic or neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.
www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/lexington
VISION
(859) 422-6390 / (800) 238-5193 ext. 1010 info@radioeye.org
Louisville: Family Library of Visually Impaired Preschool 1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (502) 509-5184
Eastern Kentucky: (606) 233-1330 sharon.cornett@radioeye.org
Radio Eye broadcasts the reading of current news, public service and general interest programming to listeners and others who are blind and print-disabled. Radio Eye, which serves Lexington, Louisville and parts of Eastern Kentucky, strives to produce high-quality programming designed to help the listening audience lead enriched, productive and independent lives. www.radioeye.org
Cincinnati Association for the Blind
2045 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 (513) 221-8558 / info@cincyblind.org
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is a private, non-profit organization offering comprehensive vision rehabilitation services for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. cincyblind.org/about
Clovernook Center for the Blind/Visually Impaired
7000 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231 (513) 522-3860 / fd@clovernook.org
Clovernook has proudly served women, men and children for more than 100 years. This rich history provides the backdrop for today’s progressive and caring campus-like environment where the Center remains dedicated to adults and youth who are blind or visually impaired. clovernook.org
Children’s Vision and Learning Center
105 Crossfield Drive, Versailles, Ky., 40383 (859) 879-0089
In addition to general optometric services, Family Eyecare offers unique programs such as Vision Therapy for children experiencing difficulty with reading and/or underachievement at school. Children in these programs average more than a 3-year improvement in performance in 10 to 15 weeks.
https://eyedoctor.io/optician/childrens-vision-andlearning-center-psc-versailles-ky/
Kentucky Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind Services Division
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero St., 4th Floor NE, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4440 / (800) 372-7172
https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/BlindServices/Pages/Blind-Services-Division.aspx
Kentucky School for the Blind Division of the Kentucky Department of Education
Office of Special Instructional Services
1867 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40206 (502) 897-1583
A K-12 public school serving Kentucky students who are blind and visually impaired. The school offers a Short Course program (1-12 weeks) of specialized instruction available to students throughout the school year. Summer school programs are offered in June and July.
https://www.ksb.kyschools.us
Kentucky School for the Blind Outreach Services
Available Statewide
1867 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40206 (502) 897-1583 ext. 7714
Outreach works in partnership with the Educational Cooperatives to facilitate expansion of regional services. KSB Outreach Consultants are assigned to each of the Educational Cooperatives as points of contact for services and programs offered by KSB. The Director of Special Education within local school districts may make referrals for services to the assigned KSB Outreach Consultant for their cooperative or by contacting KSB Director of Outreach. The Outreach department supports proficient student performance by assisting local school districts, including KSB and the Kentucky School for the Deaf, in reducing barriers to learning associated with a vision loss. It also provides students access to the general curriculum, the Kentucky Core Academic Standards, and Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments.
www.ksb.kyschools.us/Content/36
Silver Circles, Inc.
2396 New Shepherdsville Road, Bardstown, Ky., 40004 (859) 489-7773 / (812) 273-6986
Catherine C. Barnes, Director & Irlen Diagnostician
The Irlen Method uses colored overlays and precision tinted filters, worn as glasses, to reduce or eliminate perceptual difficulties and light sensitivity. www.silvercirclesinc.com
Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS)
Greater Louisville
1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (888) 636-8477
Central Kentucky
350 Henry Clay Blvd., Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 276-0335 / (888) 254-8477
Radio Eye
Lexington: 1733 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, Ky., 40505
The mission is to provide opportunities for employment and independence to individuals with visual disabilities. The Division serves Kentuckians who are visually impaired or blind and assists individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment, economic self-sufficiency and independence with complete integration into society. The Blind Services Section provides statewide services to all 120 counties and has 10 field offices located throughout Kentucky in Ashland, Bowling Green, Covington, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah, Prestonsburg and Somerset.
The mission of Visually Impaired Preschool Services is to offer appropriate services to infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are visually impaired or blind and to their families; and to maximize each child’s development potential through direct services, advocacy and community education. VIPS staff includes certified teachers who specialize in early childhood education, visual impairment, O&M, and special education. Several staff members are also parents of visually impaired children.
www.vips.org n
35 2023 Exceptional Family KY
Resource List 2023
KENTUCKY PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING LEARN MORE AND CONTACT US: (502) 564-7481 / ccdd@ky.gov www.ccdd.com / facebook.com/kyccdd LEARN MORE! Do you want to influence policy at the community, state and national level? For more information about KPIP, contact Nicole Maher at nicole.maher@ky.gov KPIP Class of 2022 The Partners in Policymaking program is about: • POLICY ADVOCACY • LEGISLATIVE PARTNERSHIPS • DISABILITY TRENDS • DISABILITY BEST PRACTICES For people with developmental disabilities and their family members