Exceptional Family Magazine Winter/Spring 2021 by Lexington Family Magazine

WINTER/SPRING

2021 Independence, Integration, Inclusion

features

4 10 12 16

Letter from the CCDD

Morgan Elliston Is Inspired by Her Daughter Chastity Ross: In Memoriam

CCDD Establishes Award in Her Name Year of the Pandemic

Covid-19 Impacts Students in Different Ways KPIP’s First Year Is a Success

Plus: YES! Group Returns to Classroom

Advocacy

18 20 22 24

Works

How to Topple Housing Barriers

Mattingly Edge Helps People Find Solutions All Aboard!

Transportation Initiative Promotes Access Supported Higher Education

HDI Program Helps Open College Doors Resource Directory A to Z

Statewide List Provides Crucial Information

On the Cover: Like other students, Jesse Bray, 19, endured a

topsy-turvy year at Russell County High because of Covid-19. (Please See Story, Page 12)

Editor..........................John Lynch Graphic Artist.......Nick Farr 2

www.lexingtonfamily.com

2021 Exceptional Family Ky is published by Lexington Family Magazine 3529 Cornwall Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503 (859) 494-1140 • john@lexingtonfamily.com

Independence JOIN OUR TEAM integration Inclusion 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.

Come Join Us! 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.

(877) 367-5332

www.ccdd.ky.gov

Letter

Advocacy Works

From the CCDD Morgan Elliston and her daughter Quinn, 9

Inspired by Her Daughter’s Journey

Two days after Quinn was born, we not survive beyond the age of 2. My name is MorWe also learned that the syndrome gan Elliston and I were told that there was no hope for survival and that at best, she had less was discovered in the 1960s, but sadly, serve as a parent than three hours to live. no research has taken place since. representative We were told that Quinn’s lungs were This particular disease has affected on the CommonQuinn in many ways that include sewealth Council on too underdeveloped to be compatible with life and were advised to remove vere growth and intellectual disability, Developmental Disabilities. her from life support. That was not an chronic kidney disease and epilepsy. I live in Frankfort with my husband, option for me. I am grateful for the advancement Philip, and our amazing daughter, We acquired a new team of doctors in medical technology that allows Quinn. I am a former high school speindividuals like Quinn to cial education teacher. survive and thrive today. I left that job in 2015 Quinn’s complex needs in order to homeschool have definitely helped Quinn. to shape me into the I am now a full-time CCDD Council members include people with person and advocate that stay-at-home mom/ developmental disabilities as well as family members teacher and work part and guardians of people with developmental disabilities. I am today. I joined the CCDD Council in 2019, time at Frankfort ReCouncil members are expected to attend quarterly and I thoroughly love gional Medical Center as meetings that last two to three days, and other events representing her and a Licensed Professional throughout the year. providing a voice for her Counselor. A member serves a three-year term and is limited to through my role on the Quinn is 9 years old two terms of service. Council. and comes with a conInfo: www.ccdd.ky.gov or 1-877-367-5332 I was just elected as tagious smile, a love of Chair of the Public music, dancing, shopthat were willing to fight for Quinn, as Policy Committee. I look ping and vacationing. we were. At that point, I learned what forward to all of the things that we are She especially loves trips to Disney working to accomplish in the future World, where she can enjoy parks that the true meaning of advocacy was. I have not stopped advocating for her and especially look forward to educatare inclusive to individuals with all since. ing our legislators and policy makers abilities. Shortly after Quinn turned a year on disability-related issues. Quinn is always learning new things. I hope to bring awareness and Most recently, she showed us that she old, she was diagnosed with WolfHirschhorn Syndrome (otherwise advocate for the individuals with rare has no problem operating a self-initiknown as 4p-). diseases who do not have the capaated power mobility device. A quick Google search told us that bilities to make their own decisions, She never ceases to amaze us with this syndrome affected 1 in 50,000 as these individuals are not always her determination and spirit. She is individuals and that 1 in 3 children do considered. n the absolute center of our universe.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

www.lexingtonfamily.com

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000

IT’S THE LAW! On October 30, 2000, Congress Passed Law 106-402. It States:

Congress finds that – (1) disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of United States society.

OUR MISSION 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: (877) 367-5332 or visit www.ccdd.ky.gov

Reader Survey

Advocacy Works

Children's Book Illustrates Diversity of Horse Industry Jobs

he book, “You Can Do So Many Things!" was written by Kathy Sheppard-Jones of UK's Human Development Institute to get kids and families thinking about connecting interests to careers, and to think broadly about possibilities. Especially in the horse industry. The book tells the story of Flynn as she explores her way through the equine industry. The book was illustrated by Brittany Granville, edited by Caroline J. Gooden and received a Winnie Award from the Equus Film & Arts Festival in 2020. “As a horse loving kid with a disability myself, I wanted to highlight different jobs, different horse breeds, and people doing those jobs who are diverse,”

Sheppard-Jones said. “In Kentucky, when we think about horses, often the first job one might consider is jockey or veterinarian. But that’s a very narrow view.” Sheppard-Jones is proud of the finished work and praises the talent of the illustrator, and a second book – and a series – is in the works. “Ultimately, our hope is to create a series of books that feature different industries and career clusters from a viewpoint that is uniquely Kentucky,” Sheppard-Jones said. The book is available in print and can be viewed or downloaded for free in English and Spanish from the Human Development Institute website (hdi. uky.edu/ecbook). There is also an audio version. n

CCDD SEEKS TO HELP HISPANICS WITH DISABILITIES The Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking adults with disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities in the Hispanic community. The CCDD is interested in learning about barriers you face when advocating for services Info: Please contact Nicole Maher at nicole.maher@ ky.gov or (502) 226-0784. n 6

www.lexingtonfamily.com

WINNER

Vivian Lasley

he winner of a $250 prize in the latest Reader Survey contest for Exceptional Family Magazine is Vivian Lasley, an early childhood special education teacher at Middlesboro Elementary with nearly a quarter century of experience. Lasley, 60, the mother of two with one grandchild, has always had a heart for the disability community, in part because both of her brothers have cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities because of Rh incompatibility issues. Lasley also has two sisters. Lasley knows exactly where her prize money is going. “I can use this money to buy things for my kids at school,” she said. A regular reader of Exceptional Family, Lasley distributes the publication to the families of her students. “I love the resources in the magazine,” she said, “and I love the personal stories because our families that have children with special needs can relate. That’s what they need – somebody who has walked their walk.” n

WE WANT

YOUR FEEDBACK

WIN $250

Be among the first 50 to enter a drawing for $250. To fill out the form online simply follow the link below

www.lexingtonfamily.com/44857-2/ccdd-readers-survey-2021-ws

Having trouble filling out or accessing the form? Contact John Lynch at 859-494-1140 or email john@lexingtonfamily.com

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

Behavioral Health Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

2021

Calendar Quarterly Council Meetings

Medicaid Oversight & Advisory Committee

August 19-20 July 21: 3 p.m. EDT November 18-19 https://ccdd.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Sept. 22: 3 p.m. EDT Oct. 20: 3 p.m. EDT https://legislature.ky.gov/Committees/ Pages/Committee-Details.aspx?Comm itteeRSN=142&CommitteeType=Statu tory%20Committee

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) July 6: 10 a.m.-noon EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 3KwunM Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Sept. 6: 10 a.m.-noon EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 9qwxdz Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Nov. 1: 10 a.m.-noon EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 3ysLAN Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/ tac/Pages/iddtac.aspx 8

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Advisory Council for Medical Assistance

July 7: 1-3 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 4LK4cS Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Sept. 1: 1-3 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 3qF7nK Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Nov. 3: 1-3 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 2qrukr Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/ tac/Pages/bhtac.aspx

Consumer Rights & Client Need Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

July 22: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 7yyYDn Meeting ID: 599250 Info: Phone: 1-713-353-0212 or 1-888-822-7517 Sept. 23: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 6ZP0R3 Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: 1-713-353-0212 or 1-888822-7517 Nov. 18: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST Zoom Meeting. Password: 2a95bV Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: 1-713-353-0212 or 1-888822-7517

Aug. 17: 1:30-3:30 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 9YikK6 Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Oct. 19: 1:30-3:30 p.m. EDT Zoom Meeting. Password: 2kdXwR Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517 Dec. 14: 1:30-3:30 p.m. EST Zoom Meeting. Password: 5V0RcF Meeting ID: 599250 Phone: (713) 353-0212 or (888) 8227517

https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/ mac/Pages/default.aspx

https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/ tac/Pages/crcn.aspx

CCDD Council Welcomes 2 New Members Dr. Casey Allen

Advocacy Works

Mark W. Leach

r. Casey Allen, the superintendent of Ballard County Schools, is a sixth generation educator and the father of three, including daughter Katie, a seventh generation educator who teaches students with moderate to severe disabilities at McCracken County High. Katie, 24, is the biological child of Casey and his wife Teri, who also adopted two children from Guatemala: Lexie, 19, when she was 8 months old, and Bryan, 20, when he was 4 years old. Lexie has had multiple health and disability issues including heart and spinal cord repairs, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, an anxiety disorder and symptoms that qualify her for an autism diagnosis. She is a senior at Ballard Memorial High and is on an alternate assessment track. She also is the inspiration for Katie to become a special education educator. Bryan, a Ballard Memorial High graduate, is studying for an associate’s degree in industrial maintenance at Western Kentucky Community & Technical College and also works as a maintenance intern at a manufacturing facility. He is deaf in one ear, and was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Casey Allen – along with being an educator – is an advocate for his children and served on the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children before he was appointed to the CCDD Board. “I have a passion for disability issues because of my family, and I will let leadership of the CCDD Board know that I have relationships with legislators,” Allen said. “But my goal is to be of service in any way they need me.” n

ark W. Leach, an attorney in Louisville, 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, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. After the Air Force, he practiced law at Stites & Harbison where he worked with fellow attorney Andy Beshear, who as governor appointed Leach to the Board of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. In 2015, Leach opened his own law firm with a practice emphasizing healthcare law, public procurement and business litigation. He also has earned a master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Louisville and is the bioethics specialist for the National Center for Prenatal & Postnatal Resources at UK’s Human Development Institute. He has served as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations, including Kentucky Protection & Advocacy, which are devoted to providing education, support and health care to individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has two children, Juliet, 16, and James, 15, and says, “My daughter is endowed with Down syndrome and my son is endowed with curly blond hair.” Leach embraces the mission of the CCDD and is excited to join the Board, saying, “I hope to work on improving opportunities for people with disabilities to be included in their communities. I also want to educate legislators and state officials about best practices and policies for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” n

List of CCDD Council Members Self -Advocates & Parent Representatives

Casey Allen, Ballard County David Allgood, Louisville David DeSanctis, Louisville Morgan Elliston, Frankfort Grant Gupton, Simpsonville Paul Hitchcock, Morehead Mark Leach, Louisville Sherry Pickett, Russell Springs Mark Rothel, Lexington

Norb Ryan, Versailles Kathy Salazar, New Concord Erin Tiemeier, Fort Thomas Laureen Vassil, Lexington State Agency Representatives

Andrea Bartholomew, Dept. of Education Laura Smith Butler, HDI Camille Collins, Protection & Advocacy Scott Collins, Department of Aging

and Independent Living Blaire Handshoe, Department of Medicaid Tammie Isenberg, Department of Public Health Claudia Johnson, Behavioral Health Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Laura Lyle, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation n 2021 Exceptional Family KY

IN MEMORIAM

Advocacy Works

Chastity Ross: 1977-2020 CCDD Will Establish Award in Her Name

By John Lynch or those who knew and loved her, nothing can fill the hole in their lives left after Chastity Yvonne Smith Ross – advocate, self-advocate, CCDD Board chair, case manager, colleague, choir director, churchgoer, mother, wife and friend – died June 23, 2020, all too soon at the age of 43. The CCDD is doing its best to fill that void by preserving her memory with the Chastity Ross SelfAdvocate Memorial Award, which will honor annually a self-advocate in Kentucky who exemplifies strength in leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the disability community.

Recipients will receive a plaque and a stipend so they can attend a conference of their choice in Kentucky. The first recipient will be selected in 2022. “The CCDD will choose a self-advocate who exemplifies her characteristics, her zest for life and her zeal for fairness,” said Carol Ann Tudor, the CCDD’s operations manager. “Chas was so much fun, so intelligent and had such good insights on life. I’ll miss her forever.” That sentiment is shared by so many in the disability community who knew her as a tireless but upbeat advocate for those in need. Born with only one leg and one arm, Chas spent much of her youth at Shriners Hospital in Lexington where she learned the value of independence and self-reliance. She was a graduate of Model Laboratory School and Eastern Kentucky University, and worked as a case 10

www.lexingtonfamily.com

manager, including the Chastity Ross in 2015 with her children last six years at A1 Case Hunter, now 18, and Julien, 14. Management. She also learned American Sign on the Eastern Progress Media Language along the way. Network. She also was co-director An avid music lover, Chas sang of God’s Melody Children’s Choir at in the choir at church and in high Richmond First United Methodist school, performed the national Church and the Youth Choir at Richanthem at school ballgames and mond First Christian Church. insisted on staying in the choir and But her many accomplishments turning pages for the pianist even only begin to capture the impact after one of her many surgeries reChas made on those around her. The quired her mouth to be wired shut. following comments from colleagues Along with her career in case manand friends (often they were one agement, Chas was three times the in the same) describe a remarkable Chair of the Commonwealth Council woman whose memory they cherish. on Developmental Disabilities and sat on the state Board of the Office ike many, Claudia Johnson of Vocational Rehabilitation, Kenmet Chas as a colleague and tucky Registry of Election Finance, they quickly became friends. Johnand the non-profit Build Inclusion, son is the Director for the Division Inc. of Developmental and Intellectual She spoke often at schools, uniDisabilities and served on the CCDD versities and Girl Scout groups, and Council for many years with Chas. co-hosted the podcast, “The Mix,”

Advocacy Works “She was a great council chair and made sure everyone’s voice was heard,” Johnson said. Johnson describes Chas as “small but mighty,” a person who combined blunt, genuine talk with a beguiling sense of humor. “She was an incredible person, always cheerful and glad to see you. She had a way of making people feel special,” Johnson said. “She faced every challenge in her life and pushed forward with no selfpity. She was fearless and a fearless advocate for others. Chastity left this world too soon and is missed dearly.”

s the executive director of A1 Case Management, Tina Scott hired Chas as a case manager in 2015 but had known her since 2005. Scott admired the way Chas could manage any room, defusing tensions or adversity with her warmth and humor. Chas also had a delicate touch with children. When Scott’s daughter Layla, 11, first met Chas as a 6-year-old, she stared at Chas, curious about her lack of an arm and a leg. “Chas stopped our conversation when she noticed my daughter’s curiosity and said to her, ‘You can touch my empty sleeve.’ That won my daughter over right there,” Scott said. As her supervisor, Scott welcomed Chas’s frankness. If Scott needed to change something about her leadership, Chas let her know. “I really miss that about her,” Scott said. “She could be direct but handled all situations with kindness and love. My whole team misses her.”

ela Hale is a service coordinator at Christian Care Communities/Chapel House in Hopkinsville and followed Chas as Chair of

Cause of Death: Sepsis

n the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2020, Chastity Yvonne Smith Ross suddenly dropped to the floor in her bedroom. Her breathing was labored, she couldn’t move and she was gripped with overwhelming fatigue. Her wife Millie Velazquez rushed her to the hospital. Chas was so frail she couldn’t be moved to the ICU. Even though she was born with only one arm and one leg, Chas had enjoyed good health. Two years earlier, she underwent a hernia repair, the first since a similar procedure she had as an infant. That repair lasted 40 years. The second was expected to last just as long. Unfortunately, the hernia mesh ripped open and her stomach and intestines moved to her lungs. She died less than 24 hours since taking ill. The official cause of death was sepsis.

the CCDD Board, which they both agreed would be a “big SHOE to fill.” Chas was just very witty like that. In fact, five minutes after they first met, Hale felt as though the two had always been friends. “Chas never met a stranger,” Hale said. “She could relate to anybody on any level. It made no difference what walk of life you came from, what color you are. She could talk to anybody about anything. And she was genuine. What you saw is what you got. “I miss her presence in the world. She had an enormous personality. She was such a little person, but she left such a big hole in this world.”

has was the mother of Hunter, 18, whom she adopted with her husband Raymond Gregory Ross, and then Chas got pregnant and she and Greg welcomed Julien, 14, into the world. As Chas evolved, she embraced being gay and met and married Millie Velazquez in 2015. Chas trained Millie as a case manager, and Millie knew during their first session that she had encountered an exceptional person.

Their first client was a non-verbal older man with cerebral palsy and partial paralysis. He was apprehensive about the meeting, and as Chas explained the purpose of the session, she handed him an application. He took it with his left hand. “Oh, you’re a lefty too, just like me,” Chas said. Said Millie: “Well, he just loved that. A smile came to his face and he sat up straighter in his chair. He just opened up, and he felt so good about that small interaction.” Millie is gratified that the CCDD has named an annual award after Chas, and Tudor of the CCDD is honored to help implement it.

or Carol Ann Tudor of the CCDD, Chas was more than a colleague — she felt like part of her family. Tudor’s daughter Kendyl, 22, is gay and texted regularly with Chas, who served as a mentor to her. “Kendyl called Chas her gay mother,” Tudor said. “Chas advocated for people in the disability community, for the black community and the LGBTQ community. She wore so many hats and fit in everywhere.” n 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

Covid’s Impact on Students

e’ve all been through an experience like none other this past year or more. Covid-19 has killed and it has disrupted. Along with loved ones lost and businesses devastated, Covid took its toll on students and their schooling. We know that as the pandemic fades and the rhythms and comforts of our previous lives return, historians and authors will attempt to analyze and contextualize the Covid-19 experience. In that spirit, we have reached out to the families of five Kentucky students ranging from preschoolers to high schoolers to chronicle their pandemic experience. Just as the disease was unpredictable and capricious, its effect on students varied as well. The following are their stories.

Jesse Bray, Russell County High

Stories By John Lynch

ife at Russell County High this past school year Jesse is very social, loves to make other students laugh exemplifies the unpredictability of the pandemic. and participates in Special Olympics. His events are the Students started the school year learning virtu100-meter dash and the softball throw. ally and then returned to school part-time one week He’s also a huge fan of radio and follows all the local after fall break only to see Covid cases spike in the area. stations. He has visited many of them and can tell you After only one week of attendall the call letters. ing school, students returned to He follows their programming virtual learning. closely. If a station veers from After the Christmas break, its published schedule, he jumps students again attended school on Facebook to correct them. two days a week, and then in Jesse will live at home after March the school week consisted high school and hopes to volunof four days in person and one teer at a radio station. day virtual. The pandemic has been a Jesse Bray, the 19-year-old son mixed bag for Jesse. He actually of Jennifer and Kevin, did his caught a mild case in October best to adapt to the ever changbut recovered quickly. ing school schedule. A senior, His studies have been about Jesse has graduated with an the same. Maybe even better, his alternative diploma. mother said. Because of global neurological “Jesse is an attention seeker Sign of the times: Jesse Bray of delayed dysfunction with hearso he hasn’t gotten as distracted Russell County learns virtually ing loss, Jesse studies in a class while working virtually,” she for students who are labeled as said. functionally mentally disabled. In some subjects, Jesse Said Jesse: “I like the assignments that the teachers works at a first and second grade level. gave us. A lot of them are learning games. I like playing Jennifer continued to work during the pandemic as the games and it didn’t feel like I am doing math and an administrative assistant at a printing company, and reading. They are really fun.” Kevin, who is disabled because of back injuries and miBut he missed the social interaction of school, especialgraines, stayed home with Jesse. Continued on Page 15 12

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Year Kennedy Jones, Bowling Green High

of the

Pandemic

Addonis Omar, Highlands Middle School

s a freshman at Bowling Green High, Kennedy Jones, the 16-year-old daughter of Lindsay, really blossomed. She found her confidence and made lots of friends. She knew her way around the school and was popular. In fact, she was voted Miss Congeniality. “Her grades were great and she was off to a fabulous start,” Lindsay Jones said. Then came Covid. Kennedy was born with GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, a rate genetic disorder that causes seizures and motor and social delays, and mild intellectual disabilities. Although she struggles with social skills, she is witty with a bright personality. She studies in a resource room at school, and her work is modified. Kennedy is on a career path at school and loves animals. Kennedy’s progress screeched to a halt when schools were closed in March 2020. She’s a hands-on learner – to learn math, she always has relied on manipulatives – so virtual learning didn’t work for her. During virtual learning, she would sit at the computer and not say a word. She’s an only child and couldn’t interact with kids in the neighborhood so her social skills regressed. She took everything hard. She would cry often, and with each announcement of an extension of the quarantine from school, Kennedy would cry even more. Lindsay worked from home during the pandemic and witnessed her daughter’s struggles firsthand. “Seeing her struggle, it was really hard to watch,” Lindsay Jones said. “Even I was having a hard time with it. When your kid is crying because she can’t go to school, and it’s difficult to explain to her what is going on, that’s hard for a parent.” Finally, students returned to school full time after the Christmas break. Kennedy was happy again, delighted to be back in the classroom and seeing her friends. But with all the disruptions, Kennedy has not progressed academically. With her support system shut down and the failure of online learning for Kennedy, she

hen Louisville Public Schools shut down in March 2020, everything stopped for Addonis Omar, the 13-year-old son of Aisha and Addonis Sr. For the family, it felt like they had moved back to Square One. “Everything we fought for, the team concept that had helped our son, it almost felt like it was all for nothing,” Aisha said. No school for Addonis meant not only no classes but no therapy and no extracurricular activities such as the baseball team, art club and black student association. Plus, the community center near his neighborhood closed. Addonis has autism with speech delays. He needs speech therapy and can use words but sparingly. Academically, his comprehension is low and focus is difficult, but he is on a diploma track at school. With appropriate accommodations he was making it work in the general population at Highland Middle School. Until Covid hit. Aisha was unimpressed – to say the least – with LPS’s initial non-traditional instruction program. “It was horrible,” she said. “The Wi-Fi was always crashing. There was a lot of busy work and teachers were learning on the fly.” Meanwhile, Addonis was adjusting to Dad being the primary assistant with his studies. Once the summer came, things really deteriorated for Addonis, who lapsed into a deep depression. He wouldn’t get out of bed, eat his favorite foods, watch TV or even play video games. “For three weeks, it was like radio silence,” Aisha said. “It was really scary.” Addonis eventually pulled himself out of the depression in time for the new school year. Louisville’s release of NTI 2.0 was vastly improved, Aisha said. “It mimicked more of the school day,” she said. “The work was better and everything didn’t feel so chaotic.” Still, Addonis was at home, a hands-on learner with only a screen to interact with. He missed his friends at school, and arranging therapy was a challenge.

Continued on Page 15

Continued on Page 15 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Year

of the

Pandemic

Liam Orduna, Fayette County Preschool

ike many other students, Liam Orduna suffered most during the pandemic because he couldn’t see his friends. The 5-year-old son of Maria and Agustin Orduna, Liam was born with Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), a rare metabolic disorder caused by a defect in the enzyme system. He was born healthy but when he started to eat he suffered seizures because of NKH. Those seizures are mostly under control, but Liam is nonverbal, still doesn’t walk and has little use of his hands. He also requires help with eating, changing and other activities of daily living. At 3, he entered the preschool run by Fayette County Public Schools where his needs were met. At school, he uses a walker and an activity chair, and he worked with occupational, speech, physical and visual therapists. He has a cortical vision impairment and can’t focus on a screen. So when schools were closed in March 2020, everything stopped for him. As a certified nurse assistant, Maria was an essential worker, and Agustin, a Toyota employee, stayed home with Liam. The lack of a structured schedule hit Liam hard. “He’s like a little clock. He needs more structure than other kids do,” Maria said. “It was difficult to get him to understand why he wasn’t going to school or having therapy.” In August, he attended preschool only for his therapy in a room to himself. That was an improvement but he still lacked peer interaction. “Liam is a people person, and we lost human interaction,” Maria said. “He didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to friends and teachers. He misses seeing the kids.” In February of this year, FCPS allowed their therapists to treat Liam at home. But still no playmates. His older brother Dylan, 9, returned to school but because of his fragile health, Liam stayed home for the rest of the 202021 school year. “Academically, we don’t know how much he learns, but watching his peers he gets motivated,” Maria said. “When other kids laugh, he laughs. When they run, he wants to. Continued on Page 15 14

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Henry Wilson, Clays Mill Elementary

n some ways, the pandemic was a blessing for Henry Wilson, the 10-year-old son of Lori and Stephen Wilson of Lexington. Until last year, school and Henry, who will enter fifth grade in the fall, clashed, sometimes violently. Henry has an autism with ADHD diagnosis. He’s bright, verbal and social, but has issues with his behavior. When he’s sad, stressed, scared or even hungry, he gets angry. And he’s big for his age. In preschool, he was biting, hitting, kicking and stimming. At 2, he was kicked out of his first preschool. Then, he enrolled at Child Development Center of the Bluegrass, which specializes in children with learning issues and disabilities. Henry received occupational and speech therapy there and his school experience improved. Then came Kindergarten at Clays Mill Elementary and a new, much bigger environment. “We heard horror stories about him punching teachers, flipping over bookshelves, and we couldn’t believe it,” Lori Wilson said. “But then I was visiting the school and heard him in his classroom and, sure enough, he was distressed and got angry.” But Wilson adds quickly, “We’re a success story at Fayette County Public Schools. The school did a great job with him.” Henry has always had a paraeducator in class, and as school staff learned more about him they found more resources to help him succeed. Then things got even better. Lori calls it magical. In January, 2020 at Henry’s regular Admission and Release Committee meeting, the District’s special education leadership team, including Adam Liechty and Christina Grace, introduced a pilot program. Six to eight students would meet in a special classroom at Clays Mill Elementary and work one-on-one with school teachers and graduate students at UK. The guiding principle of the program is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a data-driven system that relies on positive reinforcement and tracking to pinpoint specific triggers for students. The Wilsons were thrilled. Then Covid hit. The proContinued on Page 15

Year Jesse Bray, Russell County High ly extracurricular activities such as pep rallies, sporting events and school assemblies. He also missed attending gym class, going to the library and visiting job sites. “It has been a lot different and kind of lonely,” he said. “I miss everyone – the teachers, my classmates and peer tutors.” Fortunately, Jesse is a happy person, seemingly immune to feelings of depression, so his mood never changed during the pandemic. He just missed going to school. But the school year ended on a good note. Jesse attended Project Graduation where his peer tutors took him under their wing to play games, and enjoy inflatables and dancing. During the giveaways, Jesse won two gift cards and a 32” TV. How’s that for a happy ending? n

Kennedy Jones, Bowling Green High couldn’t progress. She can be a junior in the fall or repeat her sophomore year under the do-over provisions offered by the school. That puts parents like Lindsay in a bind. Junior year means prom and other social perks, but would her daughter benefit academically from a do-over? “I’m really conflicted, still on the fence,” Lindsay said. “Other parents feel the same way. It’s a tough decision. Overall, this whole experience has just been hell for our family.” n

of the

Pandemic

Liam Orduna, Fayette County Preschool He doesn’t have that now. We did lose that.” He is enrolled in Kindergarten for next school year, a cause for excitement and apprehension for the family. Another new environment for Liam, with new friends, new teachers, new therapists. “This is another big adjustment and it will be interesting to see how he adapts. But we’re looking forward to it,” Maria said. Overall, she gives the school district high marks for how it handled the pandemic. “We have a healthy kid at home and a medically fragile kid at home,” Maria said. “We’re grateful the district gave the option for kids to stay at home if parents thought it wasn’t safe for their child to go to school. And we’re grateful that his therapists wanted to work with Liam. “Parents were frustrated and we were too, but I think the district was trying to do its best.” n

Addonis Omar, Highlands Middle School When school reopened in the spring, he wanted to return but Aisha kept him home over concerns for his health. All the good news about the vaccine made Aisha nervous because Addonis fears needles. Still, she expects him to return to school in the fall when he will enter eighth grade. “I’m still tentative and we have a lot to recalibrate,” she said. “It feels like the pandemic is ending but for us it’s only a piece of light at the end of the tunnel. Still, I’m hopeful that he will do well in the fall.” n

Henry Wilson, Clays Mill Elementary gram and partnership with UK were postponed. FCPS shut down schools in March 2020 and kept them shut for a year. But during the pandemic, Henry was among select students with disabilities who returned to school twice a week for individualized instruction. “Henry had it all, and that’s when we saw the magic happen,” Lori said. Joining Henry’s team with his teacher, Meredith Davis, were his ABA therapist Jessika Vance-Morgan and behavior technician Kevin Tillery. In essence, he received three-on-one instruction. “We’ve seen more emotional and cognitive growth in the past six months than in his entire life,” Lori said. “His principal, Grant Davis, said it was one the biggest improvements he’s ever seen.”

Henry now loves his teachers and attending school. His reading jumped from first grade level to early fourth grade. His hitting has almost disappeared. This summer, Henry is working with his ABA therapist, and the Wilsons are optimistic about next school year, which will be a test of his social skills. Henry spent little time with his peers during the pandemic. Fortunately, Lori Wilson says, her son will be in Fayette County Public Schools. “I can’t say enough about his school,” she said. “Everyone we’ve dealt with is truly trying to do what is best for my child. Henry has always had paraeducators and therapists, and the school has provided inclusive, team support. “No private school comes close to meeting the needs of my child. This is absolutely the best option for us.” n 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

KPIP’s 1st Year Is a Success By John Lynch

he results are in and the CCDD’s Kentucky Partners in Policymaking program achieved its goal: all 25 graduate are now warriors for advocacy. KPIP completed its first year (20192020) of nine meetings even though the year was interrupted by the pandemic. The group met seven times in person in Frankfort and finished out the year online. The CCDD will use a similar hybrid model for its second class, which starts in the fall – three meetings in person and six virtual. “Meeting online makes it easier for people throughout the state to participate without having travel to Frankfort,” said Nicole Maher, co-facilitator of the program with fellow CCDD staffer Katie Bentley. “Not having to house everyone for every meeting also saves the program money.” Of course, there is nothing like meeting in person but either face to face or on Zoom participants still receive unique training to become change agents in their communities.

KPIP is the only program of its kind in the state and it enjoys an international reputation for excellence. heard and how to educate legislators “This program is tried and true, and about the disability community.” the curriculum has a little bit of everyParticipants felt the same way. thing addressing different components “I would recommend KPIP to any of disability culture,” Maher said. individual looking for resources locally, Each session features nationally state or federally,” said Aisha Omar of known speakers and experts, exposing Louisville. “I received a lot from the advocates and self-advocates to nation- program, one of the main things was wide best practices. tools and resources to help my advoStatewide leaders teach in their areas cacy arsenal.” of expertise, giving advocates contacts Said Tim Moore of Frankfort: “KPIP within the state to utilize in the future. taught me a great deal about advocacy KPIP graduates can then bring those as well as other topics in the field of best practices back to their communities. disability. I learned a great deal from Another focus is teaching skills to the class and I highly recommend help advocates better influence legislaKPIP.” tors. The goal is to help self advocates Fortified by success, the CCDD is become leaders and empower them excited by year two of the program, and family members to speak up and hoping to form a class of 30. Applicabe knowledgeable about issues around tions are now being accepted. n disability. “I felt like the The CCDD is accepting applications for the 2021-22 program was a huge success,” set of nine sessions that will begin in September. Maher said. For information, call (502) 564-7841 or visit “People learned so many skills https://ccdd.ky.gov/projects/Pages/default.aspx like how to be

YES! Group Returns Triumphantly to Classroom By John Lynch

espite the closing of schools because of the pandemic, the high school students in the Young Empowered Self-Advocates! group (YES!) continued to meet this past school year, if only in cyberspace. That was a victory in and of itself for the program, which brings high school students with disabilities together for monthly meetings. The program, which is sponsored by the CCDD, is governed by three goals for its members – selfawareness, self-determination and self-advocacy. The program, which also includes a monthly community meeting for people with disabilities of all ages, started in 2008 and has been run for the past seven years by Donna 16

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Fox. She also is the Youth Transition Coordinator for the Center for Accessible Living in Louisville. In April, after a year of virtual meetings, the YES! high school program got a shot in the arm – to use the relevant metaphor of our times – when two high schools in Bullitt County allowed their groups to meet in person. A return to the classroom revitalized everyone involved. “It was phenomenal,” Fox said. “The enthusiasm of the students was amazing. You could tell they were happy to be there. It was a very different look and feel than when seeing them virtually. Our staff felt it too.” The bottom line? “We missed them,” Fox said. The YES! meetings at Bullitt Central and Bullitt East

New Laws Benefit Disability Community

By Katie Bentley

he 2021 Regular Session ended March 30, capping off a session in which the Kentucky General Assembly created a one year budget, approved a plan to continue telehealth services, expanded broadband access and implemented new election procedures. Of more than 1,000 bills filed, more than 200 bills passed during the short, unconventional 30-day budget session. These are a few of the bills in this session. Telehealth: House Bill 140 will permit telehealth services that were expand due to the COVID-19 pandemic to remain in place even after the pandemic ends. Medicaid Copays: Senate Bill 55 eliminates the copays for those receiving Medicaid. Copay Accumulator Adjuster: Senate Bill 45 prohibits an insurer or pharmacy benefit manager from excluding any cost-sharing amount paid by or on behalf of an insured when calculating the insured’s contribution to any applicable cost-sharing requirement. Diabetes: House Bill 95 will help those with diabetes by capping cost-sharing requirements for prescription insulin at $30 per 30-day supply for state-regulated health plans. Elections: House Bill 574 will make permanent some of the election procedures implemented last year to accommodate voting during the pandemic. The measure will offer

energized Fox about what lies ahead for the upcoming school year and inspired her to create another component for the program. Currently, the YES! program works with students from the following schools: 11 in Jefferson County, two in Bullitt County plus one each in Calloway, Murray, Glasgow and Barren counties. Fox plans to expand the community meeting idea with a new group, YES! Youth Oasis, which is for high school students only outside of the school setting. The program will start this summer. “This will be a sanctuary for high school students, a safe place for discussion,” Fox said. “We’ll have a virtual option, but we also plan to meet at a local park.” While she plans the new program, Fox is still inspired by the in-person

Advocacy Works

Kentuckians three days–including a Saturday–leading up to an election day for early, in-person voting. It will allow county clerks to continue to offer ballot drop boxes for those who do not wish to send their ballots back by mail. It will also allow counties to offer voting centers where any registered voter in the county can vote. Interim Session: The General Assembly will resume with the Interim Session in June when interim joint committees are formed from the standing committees of both houses. For instance, the Education Committee of the Senate and the Education Committee of the House become the Interim Joint Committee on Education after the regular session. Interim committees, besides discussing and studying issues in-depth, draft and approve bills for prefiling for the next regular session. This enables bills to be introduced at the beginning of the session and standing committees to become active immediately. All interim committees, which are subcommittees of the Legislative Research Commission (LRC), are open to the public and the press so that people have an opportunity to express views on areas the proposed legislation will affect. You will find information on these bills, legislators, and calendars at https://legislature.ky.gov. The calendar has been posted for the 2021 Interim Session. n

meetings in Bullitt County. That’s a big turnaround from the way she felt when Covid-19 shut down schools in March 2020. “Last summer, I feared that we wouldn’t have a program this year,” Fox said. “I thought teachers would say no, it’s too much. But when we reached out to our teachers, they all said yes.” That impressed Fox, who has marveled at the fortitude shown by teachers during the pandemic, saying, “If you know a teacher who has worked this past year, you need to say thank you.” Still, life in cyberspace took its toll on the program and students. On the plus side, with students participating from home, parents and caregivers learned about the program and were pleased after seeing it up close and

personal. Also, some students thrived at home, speaking up more in sessions. But the biggest minus was screen fatigue. As the school year wore on, many students struggled to stay focused. In turn, that hurt attendance. By the sixth and seventh month of the school year, some sessions drew only a handful of students. Then came the Bullitt County sessions. Attendance was 100% at Bullitt Central and 70% at Bullitt East. And student participation was way up as well. “They all wanted to talk with us and the sessions were very interactive,” Fox said. “Students were engaged. They laughed a lot. There was no comparison to the virtual sessions. “This was everything we hoped it would be and more.” n 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

Home Sweet Home

With Grant From CCDD, Mattingly Edge Is Developing Successful Housing Models For People With Disabilities By John Lynch

Graham Maupin, 26, of Louisville sits in front of his home that he will one day own after following the advice of Mattingly Edge

fter Graham Maupin of Louisville graduated from high school eight years ago, the family faced a common problem in the disability community: Now what? “When he left school all his supports dried up,” Robin Maupin said about her youngest son. “I was desperate.” Graham has cerebral palsy with a mild intellectual disability. He lined up a job at the Louisville Slugger Museum after high school but that turned out to be a summer job only. He then tried a day program at the Mattingly Center but he didn’t like it. At the same time, Mattingly Center was shifting toward a new name (Mattingly Edge) and a new mission away from day programs to one that assists people individually to work, enjoy a home of one’s 18

www.lexingtonfamily.com

own, and build their social networks. The agency quickly ran into the complex housing issues that people with disabilities face, including affordability, accessibility, and safe neighborhoods. Hope Leet Dittmeier, the executive director at Mattingly Edge for the past seven years, knows those problems all too well. “So much of the model is broken,” she said. “Too many people with disabilities have no autonomy and no privacy. In some settings, residents don’t even have a key to their home. They go to a day program and want to come home early, they can’t get into their house. “Adults need to have a place of their own where they decide when it’s meal time, when you go to bed, what’s on TV. The standard in the state now is something

that none of us would accept. “There is a shortage of affordable and accessible housing in safe neighborhoods that are close to public transportation.” Mattingly Edge was a godsend for the Maupin family. Folks from the non-profit agency met with the family for more than a year, troubleshooting Graham’s situation before devising a plan that helped Graham move into his own home that he will own himself. How can that happen? Robin Maupin had the same question “I had no idea this was possible,” she said. “When we first met with Mattingly Edge, they were our new best friends. We followed what they suggested. I’m still amazed that this is happening.” Here’s the plan: The family purchased a home for Graham nearly five years ago

and he pays them rent that covers the mortgage using his Section 8 housing allowance of $960 per month. Section 8 also allows him to have a three-bedroom house: one for him, one for his adaptive equipment and a third for a roommate who lives rent free as long as he is home by 10 p.m. five nights a week. Graham, 26, has improved his credit score to 750 and is enrolled in home ownership classes to learn how to buy the house. “If it wasn’t for Covid, Graham would own that house now,” Robin said. For Graham, who receives Michelle P. Waiver services of 40 hours of support a week, his quality of life has improved dramatically since he moved out on his own. “Little by little, we could see the changes in him,” Robin said. “He came into his own and made his own friends. His confidence got better and that really made the difference. Boy, was it great! “He had wanted his own independence and has experienced freedom. He comes to our house on weekends and he can’t wait to go home.” Said Graham: “I really like living here because I’m independent and can make my own rules. I’ve made a lot of progress in lot of areas, and I’m really excited about owning this house.”

attingly Edge is working to create more success stories like Graham’s and got a boost when the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities awarded the agency a grant to develop housing models and create a guidebook of best practices for others to follow. CCDD Executive Director Kellie McCain learned of Mattingly Edge when she moved to Kentucky in 2017. She was impressed with the positive mission and goals of the agency. So was the CCDD Council when Dittmeier and her team made a presentation to the Council. The grant was then awarded. Dittmeier realizes the task is mighty. “The housing world and disability world don’t really intersect,” she said. “And people with disabilities are at the bottom of the list behind the homeless, veterans, families with children and so on.” Mattingly Edge is working with eight people, including Graham, with diverse

Advocacy Works

Cohousing Community: Another Housing Answer For People With Disabilities With a grant from the CCDD, Mattingly Edge is working on an even more ambitious project to develop housing solutions for the disability community. In conjunction with a Louisville architecture firm, the agency is developing a co-housing project. Cohousing is a community intentionally designed with ample common spaces surrounded by private homes. Communities typically include a common house with a large kitchen and dining room, laundry, and recreational areas and outdoor walkways, open space, gardens and parking. Neighbors use these spaces to play together, cook for one another, share tools, and work collaboratively. Common property is managed and maintained by community members. Mattingly Edge’s goal is to build in the next few years a cohousing community on three to five acres with 30 households with no more than five homes reserved for people with disabilities. The community would be diverse, multi-generational, mixed income and everybody, including people with disabilities, would be expected to contribute to the community. “This kind of neighborhood, where people consciously and intentionally help each other out, is perfect for people with disabilities,” Hope Dittmeier of Mattingly Edge said. To learn more about the cohousing project, contact Maegan Pirtle, Housing Solutions Manager, at mcpirtle@mattinglyedge.org.

needs and circumstances to develop models that work for each of them. Here are some of the examples. u Shanae is a woman with cerebral palsy who has a Section 8 voucher but couldn’t find a home. Mattingly Edge found a private citizen who planned to sell his home but instead rented it to Shanae. The agency then mobilized community volunteers to renovate the house to make it accessible. u Sebastian has autism and a Supports for Community Living Waiver. He lives with his single mom who was nervous about him moving out on his own. She now is transforming the lower level of her home into a stand-alone apartment. u Ann is an older woman with an intellectual disability who now uses a wheelchair and receives social security and has a SCL Waiver. She owned her own home for more than 30 years, but it was more house than she

needed. She sold her home, created a trust and now rents an apartment. The trust also pays rent for the next door neighbor who helps support Ann. “We’re working with eight people now but I think we can work with more to show more diversity in our models,” Dittmeier said. “The goal is to create something different for people who are unhappy with their current living situation and services, and show that there are a variety of ways people can obtain homes of their own. By doing this, we must break through barriers that currently exist.” Early results show that those barriers might be falling. “When I first learned about Mattingly

Edge, I knew right away that they were doing things right,” Kellie McCain of the CCDD said. “They are intentionally planning good lives for people.” Just ask the Maupins. n 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

ALL ABOARD Transportation Initiative Promotes Access By Maria Kemplin

he Transportation Initiative is a project of the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute and made possible through a grant from the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. The goal of the Transportation Initiative is to provide information and resources on transportation options to assist Kentuckians with disabilities. Transportation advocate Frankie Huffman of Pendleton County served as a consultant to the project, explaining “One of the biggest issues that people with a disability face is transportation. “Like everyone else, we want to work and be involved in our community, but this can be a problem, especially for people who use a wheelchair that does not fold or collapse, because we can only be transported in an accessible van or bus.” Transportation is a necessary part of daily life for all of us. From going to school, health care appointments, buying groceries, getting to work, attending religious services, visiting friends and family, and participating in the community – so much of our lives depend on being able to get from place to place. Through this initiative, we have shared information on a variety of transportation services such as Medicaid NEMT, public transit, ADA paratransit, travel training, accessible vehicle loan programs, driver training 20

www.lexingtonfamily.com

programs, accessible transportation grants, and others. The above programs are explained on the Transportation Initiative’s website, https://transportation.hdiuky. org, which also includes educational videos, audio files and printable resource guides. Our goal was to create training material that is easy to understand and breaks things down into smaller steps, so identifying and applying for a service is less intimidating. The website is fully accessible – we wanted to make sure that anyone would be able to get the information they need.

n addition to the website, we have been presenting at conferences and online webinars to get the information out there. We presented at a workshop at the 2020 Kentucky Systems of Care Academy, an annual event that brings together approximately 500 participants from across the system of care: primary care providers, clinicians, prevention specialists, educators, child care providers, Family Resource and Youth Services Centers staff, juvenile justice staff, community-based services staff, public health staff, families, transition-age youth, and interested community members. Many people talk to us afterward and say they had no idea there were options to provide accessible transportation or how to go about applying. One example of a transportation ser-

vice available across the state is Medicaid NEMT, a free service for Medicaid beneficiaries who lack transportation to get to qualifying appointments and activities. Those who are not eligible for transportation through Medicaid may be able to use low-cost, accessible community transportation. These public transit providers may run on a scheduled route or operate through scheduled trips known as demand-response. Knowing what is available in your area is where it all starts. The Transportation Initiative website provides access to the state list of public transit providers by county. In any Community Assessment Survey, transportation is always at the top of the list of needs identified by the people of the community, especially in rural areas. Kentucky currently ranks 44th in the U.S. in total state dollars spent on public transit systems. Public transit is an investment in economic development and job growth. Ask any employer, and you will hear that transportation problems are a recurring issue. Research indicates that every $1 invested in public transportation yields a $4 increase in economic returns in communities. Working with Project E3, the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Targeted Communities, the Transportation Initiative participated in a series of community conversations in Breathitt County over

the course of a year. These focus groups included city and county government, community organizations, representatives from the school system, service agencies and involved citizens. This partnership allowed us to share resources and collaborate on expanding transportation through available state transportation grants.

MOCO Transit was made possible through a grant from the Department of Transportation and monetary support from the mayor, city council, judge executive and fiscal court. MOCO Transit offers door-to-door transportation, with drivers trained for passenger assistance. The service is available to all, wheelchair accessible, and covers the whole county for $1 per ride. For riders unable to pay the $1 fee per trip, Montgomery County business partners have stepped up to offer

Advocacy Works

ridership visited medical or medically related facilities that included a clinic, pharmacy, therapy, hospitals, dental and vision offices,” she said. “In the area of nutrition, 22% visited food banks and other food-related assistance, including grocery stores. Finally, 39% regained their independence and ability to manage their health, mental health and nutritional he Transportation Initianeeds as a result of their access to a tive also offered transporpublic transit system.” tation training I grew up in Mt. Sterling and technical assistance and am incredibly proud of in tandem with Kentuckywhat Gateway Community Works (https://kentucky“Many people talk to us and say Action, Montgomery Counworks.org), a collaborative they had no idea there were options ty and MOCO Transit has effort between the Human accomplished. Not only did Development Institute, the to provide accessible transportation the county make the investCommonwealth Council on or how to go about applying.” ment in public transit, but Developmental Disabilities, businesses, organizations the Kentucky Office of and community members Vocational Rehabilitation stepped up to support this (OVR), the Kentucky Deservice. It is a model that we hope can partment of Education, the Kentucky free ride tickets. be replicated in other communities. Division of Developmental and IntelIn only seven months of service, The Transportation Initiative will lectual Disabilities, Kentucky DepartMOCO Transit has traveled over 4,000 continue to inform people with disment for Aging and Independent miles, providing more than 1,000 abilities, their families and those who Living (DAIL), Kentucky Protection & trips for 326 riders. Even with the support them about transportation Advocacy, Kentucky Community and challenges of the COVID restrictions resources. Technical College System, the Kenplaced on the number of riders being This year, we hope to begin a new tucky Governor’s Office of Early Child- transported at one time, the program initiative that will support the creation hood (GOEC), the Kentucky Office has grown and realized positive comof ride-sharing networks that work of Autism, and the Kentucky Autism munity outcomes. though an app. Training Center. Leah Kohr, the Director of CommuMost important on our agenda is The KentuckyWorks collaborative nity Initiatives at Gateway Community ensuring that families recognize that helps youth with disabilities achieve Action, outlined the positive commutransportation is an essential skill their potential and get meaningful nity outcomes attained in just a few or service that is needed across the work after high school. months of operation. lifespan. n Partnering with KentuckyWorks, “In the area of health, 17% of our the Transportation Initiative offered a transportation training to staff at Maria Kemplin directs the Transportation Montgomery County High school. We also worked one-on-one with individu- Initiative at the Human Development Institute. als needing transportation technical Maria has a degree in education and is apassistance in the community. proaching her 20th year of employment at the In the last year, groups in MontgomUniversity of Kentucky. She enjoys reading, ery County came together to launch a public transportation service called gardening, and participating in autistic advoMOCO Transit, operated through the cacy events with her 16-year-old son. Gateway Community Action agency.

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

Paying It

FORWARD Former Student Now Serves As Consultant at KSHEP, Which Helps College Students Succeed By John Lynch

ne of the most valuable members of the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership is 31-year-old Rebecca Gregory, who serves as a consultant to the program. KSHEP is administered by the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI) and supported through funding made available in the Kentucky state budget. KSHEP formed in 2008 when federal legislation created Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTP). (For more details, please see story on facing page.) Gregory grew up in Flemingsburg and now lives in Lexington – on her own after spending much of her life in group homes. Along with her job as a consultant, she has two other jobs: Full Circle Supports, a service agency for people who have a developmental disability in Nicholasville, and at McLeod’s Coffee House in Lexington. Gregory is a well-liked and productive employee at both those places. Brewster McLeod, who hired Rebecca two years ago when he opened his 22

www.lexingtonfamily.com

coffee shop where furniture and artwork are for sale, calls her an excellent employee. “She was a great greeter and she’s even better behind the Rebecca Gregory shows off one of her counter,” he said. “She paintings that are on display at the coffee also brings her artshop where she works in Lexington work to the shop. Her paintings are bright and colorful, and you things that did and didn’t work well. should see her Disney Princesses. I She fits that role perfectly.” bought them and they now hang in Gregory, who was hired a year ago, my house.” works closely with Erin Fitzgerald, In 2012, Gregory attended BlueUK’s CTP Coordinator since Decemgrass Community & Technical College ber 2020. Fitzgerald echoed Butler’s in Lexington as a student member of comments about Gregory’s value to its CTP program. It is that experience the program. that makes her so crucial to the folks “She offers perspective on things at HDI. like what it was like when she was “The perspective that Rebecca preparing for college,” Fitzgerald said. brings is invaluable,” said Laura “She shares what her successes and Smith Butler, who has worked on frustrations were with her own colinclusive higher education projects at lege experience. This is really helpful HDI for more than 10 years. in guiding us to develop a more sup“None of us has gone through the portive and considerate program.” program so Rebecca lets us know

Advocacy Works

KSHEP Aids College Students With Intellectual Disabilities

By Laura Smith Butler

ore than a decade ago, staff at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI) began thinking about higher education opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. That conversation grew into the HDI’s Postsecondary Opportunities Work Group, an initiative that included other agencies, as well as self-advocates and families. Today that seed of an idea has blossomed into a network of colleges and universities across the state, each providing high quality education to those not previously able to access it. In 2008, federal legislation created Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) which allow approved institutes of higher education to offer students with intellectual disabilities access to financial aid for those who did not earn a standard high school diploma and are not seeking a typical college degree. There are currently three active CTPs in Kentucky: Northern Kentucky University, Murray State University, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The University of Kentucky has submitted its application to become a CTP. Upon approval, this program – which will be known as UK-SHEP (University of Kentucky Supported Higher EduGregory’s contributions are especially valuable in two areas: presentations to prospective students and families, and identifying what makes a good mentor. Said: Fitzgerald: “Presentations can be formal and sound academic so we’ve asked Rebecca, ‘How do we say this as if we’re talking to a friend?’ She gives us that informal language that people relate to better.” As for mentors, Gregory says, the key to the relationship is equality. Mentor-mentee is not a one-way relationship. Each partner learns from the other. “Mentors also should be reliable, keep their word and know the subject matter,” she said.

cation Partnership) – will begin accepting applications for admission. These colleges and universities are supported by HDI’s Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership-Technical Assistance Center (KSHEP-TAC), a project funded by the Kentucky legislature. Additionally, the legislature supported inclusive higher education in the Commonwealth by amending legislation governing the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) in 2013 and again in 2016. This allowed students enrolled in CTPs to access the same funds available to other students. KSHEP-TAC provides assistance to colleges/universities that have or may be interested in establishing inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as CTPs, as well as to school systems and other agencies and organizations. For information about the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership program, contact: Erin Fitzgerald at Erin.Fitzgerald@uky.edu or visit https://kshep.hdiuky.org/ Laura Smith Butler has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. She has worked on inclusive higher education projects at the Human Development Institute (HDI) for over 10 years. n

While acknowledging the help she provides, Gregory is quick to praise the program for the support she received as a student. She enjoyed her time at BCTC, especially math and theater classes, adding, “I couldn’t have done it by myself.” “They made sure I had what I needed to succeed like good tutors and mentors,” she said. When she ran into trouble with bureaucratic paperwork, HDI was there to help. “I’m grateful to all the people there,” she said. “They told me that I can do this and one day I will live on my own. And now I do.” And now she gets to pay that gratitude forward. n

“Disney Princesses” as painted by Rebecca Gregory 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021

General Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities 656 Chamberlin Ave., Suite C, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (877) 367-5332 / (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

www.lexingtonfamily.com

The Arc of Kentucky is the largest statewide communitybased volunteer organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities I/ DD and their families. The Arc works tirelessly to uphold our 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 Ashland: Toni Mullins / (606) 694-1797 toni@guidedlivingllc.com Barren County: James Cheely / (270) 590-9013 Central Kentucky: Alva M. Covington / (312) 5028217 Floyd County/Prestonsburg: Deborah Hall (606) 268-0808 Hardin County: Clara Harrison / (270) 300-6659 Lake Cumberland: Pending Logan County: Thomas Thompson / (270) 726-2218 Louisville Area: Serena Jacobs / (502) 939-8273 Meade County: Mary Greenwell / (270) 980-0150 Northern Kentucky The Point: Judi Gerding (859) 491-9191 Owensboro: Sally Phillips / (270) 577-8866 Office / (270)-685-2976 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 Ashland: Toni Mullins / (606) 694-1797 Self Empowerment Network The Arc of Greater Louisville Area: Dale Arnett / (606) 224-0240 Best Buddies Kentucky 3044 Bardstown Road, #1274, Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 536-7876 www.bestbuddies.org/kentucky/ 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. 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 Bluegrass

Providing meaningful experiences and opportunities for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

At New Vista our goal is to help individuals live and participate in their community. We promote person-centered care, providing services that support an individual’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being We see the good ahead.

24-Hour Helpline 1.800.928.8000 | newvista.org | Joint Commission Accredited

24-Hour Helpline 1.800.928.8000 | newvista.org

Resource List 2021 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, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (877) 588-2300 / (502) 587-0494 / www.bbbsky.org Madisonville-Hopkins County 1 South Main Street, Madisonville, Ky., 42431 (270) 821-0688 / www.Madisonvillebbbs.org Tristate 1505 Carter Ave., Suite 301, Ashland, Ky., 41105 (606) 329-8799 / www.bbbstristate.org Bluegrass Care Navigators 1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (855) 492-0812 / www.hospicebg.org 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.. 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) 2216689 Build Inclusion promotes intentional inclusion, access, and opportunities through community & family education, engagement, and most of all, meaningful, competitive employment. We facilitate success for individuals in transition to adulthood in preparing for and fully participating in this next stage of their lives. www.buildinclusion.org Centers 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

www.lexingtonfamily.com

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 Cerebral Palsy Group 13506 Summerport Village Parkway, Windermere, Fla., 34786 / (866) 510-0717 Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, brain injuries or birth injuries. The goal is to continue to provide the most up-to-date information from trusted sources as it becomes available. / cerebralpalsygroup.com Children’s Home of Cincinnati 5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45227 (513) 272-2800 / (513) 808-9632 The Children’s Home of Cincinnati is a private, nonprofit social service agency that improves the lives of children and their families through services in four areas: adoption, early childhood, education and mental health. The Home 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 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 101 Burch Court, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (800) 456-3452 / (502) 875-5863 Community Action Kentucky (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.kaca.org Easter Seals Cardinal Hill 2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 367-7217 / www.cardinalhill.org West Kentucky 801 N. 29th St., Paducah, Ky., 42001 (270) 444-9687 / www.eswky.easterseals.com 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

assist people with disabilities to achieve their potential for community inclusion through improving access and equal opportunity. / www.ipky.org 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 promote the inclusion, independence and contributions of people with disabilities and their families throughout the life span. HDI achieves that mission through education, research and evaluation, information sharing, leadership and advocacy across the state and the nation. Learn more at www.hdi.uky.edu 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 kpfc@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

Resource List 2021 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 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 Kerrington’s Heart, Inc. P.O. Box 911074, Lexington, Ky., 40591 (859) 509-9857 Dedicated to the education, support and encouragement of children with heart disease, their families and caregivers.

P encouraging E inclusion optimizing O supports promoting P choice lifting L expectations educating E communities

The Autism Society of the Bluegrass serves as resource and support for people in Central Kentucky who care about autism.

www.kerringtonsheart.org The Molly Johnson Foundation P.O. Box 215, Fisherville, Ky., 40023 (502) 724-0067 The Molly Johnson Foundation was created to assist families of children with special needs in a variety of ways, including financial help, supplying medical equipment, home accommodations and travel expenses for services. The Molly Johnson Foundation desires to make a difference in the lives of these families in the best way possible. www.themollyjohnsonfoundation.org A Mother’s Rest 32 W. Main St., New Market, Md., 21774 Organizes year-round small group respite retreats for families with children (youth or adult) with disabilities. Locations include Versailles and Mammoth Cave. www.amothersrest.org Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky 801 Corporate Drive, Suite 120, Lexington, Ky., 40503 (859) 225-8879 / 1-800-CHILDREN pcaky@pcaky.org / www.pcaky.org

es Conferenc nal & Educatio s Lecture

Monthly Meetings Monday of Held the last 6:30pm each month, l’s at St. Michae urch Episcopal Ch te Dr. n 2025 Bellefo Lexington

Reso ur Lend ce ing Libra ry

Bluegrass Autism Walk

visit our website or facebook page

asbg.org • facebook.com/Autism-Society-of-the-Bluegrass THE ARC OF KENTUCKY is a statewide grassroots advocacy organization that works to ensure a quality life for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

protecting rights

The Arc of Kentucky 706 East Main, Suite A Frankfort, KY 40601 / (502) 875-5225 www.arcofky.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.

Achieve with Us:

Advocate Educate Empower

Encourage for Change

The Arc of Kentucky Statewide Conference Best Practices for People with Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities www.arcofky.org

Conference Is Held Annually 2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021 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. 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) 8645759 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 1255 23rd St., NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C., 20037 / (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, 1117 S. Limestone St., Lexington Ky., 40536 / (859) 323-1153 www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/safekids Kentucky Coalition Kentucky Department of Health, 275 E. Main St., HS2W-A, Suite 242, Frankfort, KY 40621 (502) 564-2154 ext 4459 tara.tucker@ky.gov, Louisville and Jefferson County Coalition Norton Children’s Hospital, 231 E. Chestnut St., Louisville, Ky., 40202 / (502) 629-7335 Special Persons Advocacy Network 1007 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg, Ky., 40330 bobbie.hancock@uky.edu / (859) 734-4378

www.lexingtonfamily.com

SPAN seeks to support individuals with disabilities and their families by facilitating community involvement and support groups. TASH Disability Advocacy Worldwide 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 206, Washington D.C., 20005 / (202)-817-3264 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 www.tash.org/chapters/kentucky-tash/ Tourette Syndrome Association Lexington Support Group: (270) 317-3046 Louisville Support Group: (502) 235-0704 www.tsa-usa.org United Way Bluegrass 651 Perimeter Dr. Suite 510, Lexington, Ky., 40517 211 Information Line / (859) 977-7391 www.uwbg.org Kentucky P.O. Box 4653, Louisville, Ky., 40204 334 E. Broadway, Suite 308, Louisville, Ky., 40204 (502) 589-6897 / www.uwky.org Metro 334 E. Broadway, P.O. Box 4488, Louisville, Ky., 40204 (502) 583-2821 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 / (800) 592-1117 Serves those affected by brain injury through advocacy, education, prevention, service and support. www.biak.us Cabinet for Health and Family Services Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs The Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs has received a grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to create Family to Family Health Information Centers throughout the commission offices. The centers are staffed by mentors who are parents of children with special needs, and they provide support to families of individuals with special needs. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to connect with another parent or caregiver with a similar situation or special health care need. 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, 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 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

Resource List 2021 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 400 Park Ave., Bldg. D, Paducah, Ky., 42001 (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, 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. Family to Family Health Information Centers 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, selfdirected services that are available to children with special needs. Sondra Gilbert 1600 Breckenridge St., Owensboro, 42302 Sondra.GIlbert@ky.gov / 270-687-7038 ext. 3 or 502-782-8781 or 270-993-9430 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 The Hart-Supported Living program is for Kentuckians with disabilities to request grants so they can live in, contribute to and participate in their communities. Any Kentuckian with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is eligible to apply for a Hart-Supported Living grant. Coordinators Region 1: Rachel Phelan P.O. Box 548, Bardwell, Ky., 42023 (502) 229-9110 / rachel.phelan@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: Natalie Rawlings P.O. Box 206037, Louisville, Ky., 40220 (502) 229-6500 / natalie.rawlings@ky.gov Counties: Bullitt, Jefferson and Spencer. Region 4: Denise Poynter-Shook P.O. Box 33, Richmond, Ky., 40476 (502) 229-2102 / mpoyntershook@ky.gov Counties: Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Montgomery, Powell, Scott, Washington and Woodford. Region 5: Contact main office at (502) 564-6930 Counties: Bell, Boyle, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Garrard, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Lincoln, McCreary, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne and Whitley. Region 6: Caryn Turvey P.O. Box 498, Ironton, Ohio, 45638 (502) 229-6863 / caryn.turvey@ky.gov Counties: Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Breathitt, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Morgan, Nicholas, Perry, Pike, Robertson, Rowan and Wolfe. Region 7: Jennifer Rush P.O. Box 797, Lancaster, Ky., 40444 (502) 229-5015 / jennifer.rush@ky.gov Counties: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Henry, Kenton, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Shelby and Trimble. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/hslp.aspx Home and Community-Based Waiver (HCB) 275 E. Main St. 6W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-5560 The Home and Community-Based Waiver program provides Medicaid coverage to eligible persons who are aged or disabled and would otherwise require nursing facility level of care. Services include but are not limited to the following: assessment and reassessment, case management, homemaker services, personal care services, respite care, minor home adaptations, attendant care and adult day health care. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/hcb-waiver. aspx Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corp. Mayo-Underwood Building 500 Mero St., 4th 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. KATLC can provide loans for modified vehicles, hearing aids,

adapted computers, mobility devices, augmentative communication devices or any other type of equipment or home modification that will improve the quality of life or increase the independence of Kentuckians with disabilities. / www.katlc.ky.gov Kentucky Education & Workforce Development 500 Mero Street., 4th floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-0372 Providing Kentuckians from all across the Commonwealth 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 (V/TTY) / (800) 372-2907 (V/TTY, in Kentucky only) / kcdhh@mail.state.ky.us www.kcdhh.ky.gov Kentucky Community Mental Health Centers 275 E. Main St. 6W-D, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-6890 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 multi-county region. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dpo/bpb/Pages/cmhc.aspx Regional Offices: Adanta MH / MR Board 130 Southern School Road, Somerset, Ky., 42501

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Advocacy Works

Meet the CCDD Staff

Kellie McCain - Executive Director Kellie.McCain@ky.gov | 502-782-8601 After working 16 years in the office of the Commissioner of DIDD services in Tennessee, Kellie joined the Council in 2017. She manages and directs Council activities based on the goals and objectives in compliance with federal laws and requirements. She leads Council staff in implementing the Five Year Plan and assists in developing the Council’s public policy, advocacy agenda and strategies, state and federal government relations, and other operations. She also manages the Council’s budget and hires and manages the Council staff. She has a master’s degree in Civic Leadership and has over 30 years of experience in the disability and mental health field. She has experience in various capacities supporting people with disabilities including direct care worker, case manager, quality surveyor, Medicaid Waiver operations and program administration.

Vicki Goins - Fiscal Manager 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 PPR (Program Performance Report), and Annual Work Plans. She facilitates the Council work teams to help them achieve the goals and objectives in the Five Year Plan. Jen has been with the Council for 5 years. Prior to 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.

Nicole Maher - Self-Advocacy 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 and objectives in the Five Year Plan. She has been with the Council for 3 years and has worked in the disability field for 15 years in a variety of different capacities. Nicole has a daughter who has Down syndrome.

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. 30 30

www.lexingtonfamily.com www.lexingtonfamily.com

Resource List 2021 (606) 679-4782 / (606) 679-9425 Ext. 2272 Serving Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne counties. www.adanta.org Seven Counties Services 10401 Linn Station Road, Suite 100, Louisville, Ky. 40223 / (502) 589-8600 Serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble counties. / www.sevencounties.org Communicare, Inc. 1311 North Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 (270) 765-2605 Serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Washington counties. www.communicare.org Comprehend, Inc. 611 Forest Ave., Maysville, Ky., 41056 (606) 564-4016 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., P.O. Box 6499, 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, P.O. Box 2680, 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., 8th floor, Ashland, Ky., 41101 / (606) 329-8588 ext. 4078 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., P.O. Box 1637, Owensboro, Ky., 42302 / (270) 689 6500 Serving Davies, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster counties. / www.rvbh.com 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 First Steps State Lead Agency 275 E. Main St., HS2WC, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-3756 First Steps is a statewide intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. Administered by the Department for Public Health in the

Cabinet for Health and Family Services, First Steps offers comprehensive services through community agencies and service disciplines. Children who participate in early intervention have significant improvement in development and learning. Helping to decrease the problems early in a child’s development can reduce or prevent costly educational programs in the future. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/ecdb/Pages/ firststeps.aspx Regional Offices: www.kyfirststeps.org/find_my_poe.html 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 P.O. Box 568, Corbin, Ky., 40702 (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

Carol.Tudor@ky.gov | 502-782-8606 Carol Ann has been with the Council since 2005. She 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. Carol Ann also coordinates meeting logistics and supports Council members in making meeting arrangements and reimbursement. She also serves as staff to the Council Affairs Committee. Prior to working for the Council, she worked in the Office of Exceptional Children. 2021 Exceptional Exceptional Family Family KY KY 2021

Meet the CCDD Staff

Carol Ann Tudor - Policy Analyst and Operations

31 31

Resource List 2021 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, Building 2, 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 343 Waller Ave., Suite 201, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (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: 12 East 5th St., Newport, Ky., 41071 / (859) 308-5963 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 (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.

www.lexingtonfamily.com

https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation Regional Offices: Ashland: (606) 920-2338 Bluegrass: (859) 246-2537 / (888) 211-7276 Bowling Green: (270) 746-7489 / (800) 443-6055 Carl D. Perkins Center: (800) 443-2187 Covington: (859) 292-6513 / (866) 380-3450 Danville: (859) 239-7885 / (800) 795-8481 Elizabethtown: (270) 766-5121 / (866) 883-0001 Florence: (859) 371-9450 / (877) 371-9451 Lexington: (859) 246-2185 / (859) 246-2540 (877) 246-2185 Louisville: (502) 595-4173 / (800) 456-3334 East Jefferson District: (502) 420-5952 (866) 304-1958 Owensboro: (270) 687-7308 / (888) 640-2811 Paducah District: (270) 575-7304 Prestonsburg District: (606) 889-1689 (877) 398-6656 Whitesburg: (606) 633-2568 Kentucky Transitions (Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant) 275 East Main St. 6 W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-0330 / (877) 564-0330 Using funding from the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant, the Department for Medicaid Services assists eligible individuals to transition from institutional settings back into the community. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/ kytransitions.aspx Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services Division of Community Alternatives If you are elderly, have a physical, intellectual or developmental disability or are ventilator dependent, you may qualify for Medicaid waiver services. Known as 1915(c) Home- and Community-Based Services waivers, these services provide the support you need to continue to live at home. https://public.medicaid.gov/connect.ti/public.comments/ view?objectId=3217936 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 Michelle P. Waiver Division of Community Alternatives 275 E. Main St. 6 W-B, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (855) 459-6328 / (502) 564-1647 / (502) 564-4527 A Medicaid program that helps people live in the community or return to the community after living in an institution. The Michelle P. Waiver is for anyone with an intellectual or a developmental disability who is eligible to receive services at an Intermediate Care Facility. chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/default.aspx

Pathways to Careers and Special Programs 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4286 Pamela Moore https://education.ky.gov/CTE/Pages/default.aspx Personal Care Attendant Program Department for Aging and Independent Living 275 E. Main St. 3E-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-6930 Ext 3477 Attendant services are provided for people 18 and older with functional loss of two or more limbs and who have the ability to hire and supervise an attendant. Services include assistance with personal care, housekeeping, shopping, travel, self-care procedures, meal preparation, and other daily activities. 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 Bowling Green 2724 Chandler Drive, Bowling Green, Ky., 42104 Campbellsville 101 Hiestand Farm Road, Campbellsville, Ky., 42718 Corbin 159 Future Drive, Corbin, Ky., 40701 Danville 103 Belinda Blvd., Danville, Ky., 40422 Elizabethtown 591 Westport Road, Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 Florence 7 Youell St., Florence, Ky., 41042 Frankfort 140 Flynn Ave., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 Hazard 122 Reynolds Lane, Hazard, Ky., 41701 Hopkinsville 1650 Marie Drive, Hopkinsville, Ky., 42240 Jackson 850 KY-15 N., Jackson, Ky., 41339 Lexington 2241 Buena Vista Road, Suite 110, Lexington, Ky., 40505 Louisville 10503 Timberwood Circle, Suite 50, Louisville, Ky., 40223 Madisonville 4431 Hanson Road, Madisonville, Ky., 42431 Maysville 509 Market Place Drive, Maysville, Ky., 41056 Owensboro 4532 Lucky Strike Loop, Owensboro, Ky., 42303 Paducah 125 Brett Chase Road, Paducah, Ky., 42003 Prestonsburg 1897 Ky. Route 321, Prestonsburg, Ky., 41653 Richmond

Resource List 2021 1060 Gibson Bay Drive, Richmond, Ky., 40475 Somerset 3975 US-27, Somerset, Ky., 42501 Supports for Community Living Waiver Branch 275 E. Main Street, 4CF, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-7700 The Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver Branch of the Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DDID) provides staff support for and oversight of the Supports for Community Living waiver program. The SCL waiver program is a home- and communitybased program funded by the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services and administered by DDID. dbhdid.ky.gov/ddid/scl.aspx

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING

Adoption Support for Kentucky UK College of Social Work, 1500 Bull Lea Road Suite 194, Lexington Ky., 40511 (859) 257-7361 Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) is a statewide program that specializes in the utilization of support groups to offer pre- and post-adoptive support and services to both foster and adoptive parents. ASK provides the opportunity to share resources, suggestions, frustrations and successes with those who share this unique experience. ASK strives to prevent pre-adoption disruption and post-adoption dissolution through peer-led support and training. There is no cost and any and all are welcome. / www.uky.edu/trc/ask The Bair Foundation 2393 Alumni Drive, Suite 205, Lexington, Ky., 40517 (859) 519-3273 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. www.bair.org 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, Lexington, Louisville, Madisonville, Morehead, Owensboro, Owenton, Paducah, Prestonsburg, and Somerset. www.benchmarkfamilyservices.org Children’s Home of Cincinnati 5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45227 (513) 272-2800 / (513) 808-9632 The Children’s Home of Cincinnati is a private, nonprofit social service agency that improves the lives of children and their families through services in four areas: adoption, early childhood, education and mental health. The Home 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.thechildrenshomecinti.org Key Assets Kentucky 961 Beasley St., Suite 160, Lexington, Ky., 40509 (859) 286-5744 Key Assets provides support for specialized foster parents who care for children with developmental delays or autism. / www.keyassetskentucky.com Kentucky Adoption Profile Exchange (Formerly Special Needs Adoption Program) 275 East Main St. 3C-E, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502)564-7043 DCBS/Adoption Service prdweb.chfs.ky.gov/kape/index.aspx

THE ARTS All Abilities Drama Camp Jessamine Early Learning Village, 851 Wilmore Road, Nicholasville, Ky., 40356 aadramacamp@gmail.com Embracing the gifts of all campers through the arts by celebrating difference, skills, personalities and abilities. www.allabilitiescamp.blogspot.com Allegro Dance Project (715) 252-6137 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 P.O. Box 3320, Bowling Green, Ky., 42102 (270) 792-0023 / programs@artsforallky.org Nonprofit 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 Street, Somerset, Ky., 42501 (606) 416-5380 The SHINE House is a nonprofit 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

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center 5659 Main St., Thelma, Ky., 41260 (606) 788-7080 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 Enabling Technologies of Kentuckiana (enTECH) at Spalding University 812 S. Second St., Louisville, Ky., 40203 (502) 992-2448 / www.entech.spalding.edu

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021 HDI Center for Assistive Technology Services 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. www.hdi.uky.edu/HDICATS / www.facebook.com/ HDICATS KATS (Ky. Assistive Technology Service Network Coordinating Center) 8412 Westport Road, Louisville, Ky., 40242 (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 underserved 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) 3275287. https://www.katsnet.org/services/at-reuse/ Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corp. Mayo-Underwood Building 500 Mero St., 4th 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. KATLC can provide loans for modified vehicles, hearing aids, adapted computers, mobility devices, augmentative communication devices or any other type of equipment or home modification that will improve the quality of life or increase the independence of Kentuckians with disabilities. www.katlc.ky.gov Ky. Department of Education Exceptional Children 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4970 www.education.ky.gov/specialed/Pages/default.aspx

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Kentucky Assistive Technology Guidelines 8412 Westport Road, Louisville Ky., 40242 (800) 327-5287 www.katsnet.org/resources/web-accessibility/ky-ait-law/ Redwood Assistive Technology Center 71 Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell, Ky., 41017 (800) 728-9807 / 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 The Kelly Autism Program Western Kentucky University Clinical Education Complex, 104 Alumni Ave., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 745-4KAP (4527) www.wku.edu/kellyautismprogram Wendell Foster’s Kelly Autism Program 815 Triplett St. / P.O. Box 1668, Owensboro, Ky., 42303 (877) 932-2678 https://wendellfoster.org 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 www.ask-lou.org Families for Effective Autism Treatment 1100 E. Market St., Louisville, Ky., 40206 (502) 774-0797 / www.featoflouisville.org

Hopebridge 1300 E. New Circle Road, Suite 150, Lexington, Ky. 40505 / (859) 685-1019 5215 Commerce Crossings Drive, Louisville, Ky., 40229 (502) 251-7002 2427 Russellville Road, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 936-7472 Provides a full range of professional services in one location for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays. www.hopebridge.com 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 www.louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining 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 Norton Child Development and Genetic Center 411 E. Chestnut, Louisville, Ky., 40202 (502) 588-0850 Provides center-based and outreach diagnostic evaluations and treatment to infants and children with, or at risk for, developmental disabilities, congenital anomalies, genetic disorders, autism, organic behavior disorders (ADHD) and learning disabilities, as well as genetic counseling to adults. http://louisville.edu/medicine/departments/pediatrics/ divisions/developmental-behavioral-genetics louisville.edu/medicine/departments/pediatrics/divisions/ weisskopf

CAMPS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Special Populations Division 225 E. Third Ave., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 393-3549 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,

Resource List 2021 dances and more). www.bgky.org/bgpr/special-populations Camp Discovery 33 W. Second St., 3rd Floor, Maysville, Ky., 41056 (606) 301-8338 A three-day, all-female camp designed to teach women in wheelchairs physical fitness and how to form lasting relationships. Sports such as wheelchair tennis, SCUBA diving and horseback riding as well as whole body wellness such as art therapy, nutrition classes, cooking and massage are all incorporated throughout the weekend. maysvilleinitiatives.com/camp-discovery/ Camp Hendon 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 108, Louisville, Ky., 40223 / (502) 272-2370 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 / 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 P.O. Box 13155, Lexington, Ky., 40583 (859) 231-7066 / lauriston@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 Easter Seals Adaptive Recreation 2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, Ky., 40504 (859) 246-8816 / 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 Dunbar Community Center, 545 N. Upper St., Lexington, Ky., 40508 / (859) 288-2900 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/

P.O. Box 23481, Lexington, Ky., 40523 (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 / (800) 633-7403 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 Street, Lexington, Ky. 40507 (859) 254-9622 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 1050 Chinoe Road, Suite 204, Lexington, Ky., 40502 (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) 723-4548 / info@dsheartland.org This organization offers support to individuals with

LYSA’s TOPSoccer Program

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021 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.facebook.com/321heartland/ Green River Area Down Syndrome Association Owensboro and surrounding area P.O. Box 2031, Owensboro, Ky., 42302 (270) 681-5313 / 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. www.downsyndromeoflouisville.org

individuals with Down syndrome by providing information, resources and support in the community. Generally, 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) (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

Down Syndrome Association of South Central Ky. 522 State St., Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 (270) 796-5002 / info@dssky.org / www.dssky.org

The Council for Exceptional Children 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, Va., 22201 (888) 232-7733 / TTY (866) 915-5000 The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. / www.cec.sped.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

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,

Are We Missing 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: Division of Exceptional Services 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4970 Oversees funding, special education programs, data collection, personnel development, monitoring of school districts, curriculum development and more. 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 kentuckypta@bellsouth.net www.kypta.org Kentucky State Department of Education 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-3141 education.ky.gov Kentucky State University Disability Resource Center 400 E. Main St., Frankfort, Ky., 40601 Hathaway Hall Office #107 (502) 597-6041 / phillip.clay@kysu.edu 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/student-support-services/ accessibility-services.aspx

ur goal at Exceptional Family Magazine is to provide a comprehensive, statewide list of resources for folks with disabilities. Since we first published this magazine in 2009, we have updated and expanded our list of resources many times. Help 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. To add to this Resource Directory, simply contact Editor John Lynch by phone (859) 494-1140 or email at john@lexingtonfamily.com. n 36

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Morehead State University Disability Service Adron Doran University Center, Suite 202, Morehead, Ky., 40351 / (606) 783-5188 e.day@moreheadstate.edu This office ensures that the university’s programs, activities, services and the campus itself are accessible to all students and visitors. www.moreheadstate.edu/disability 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

Resource List 2021 assistance and resources to students with disabilities in their transition to Northern Kentucky University. inside.nku.edu/disability.html Public School Parent Resource Centers, Cabinet for Health and Family Services 275 E. Main St., 3C-G, Frankfort, Ky., 40621 (502) 564-4986 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 3: Program Manager Naela Imanyara and Andrea Pike-Goff (502) 271-7720 / naela.imanyara@ky.gov (270) 9809134 / 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 Barbara Pettus (859) 200-7777 / barbara.pettus@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 Gay (859) 661-9629 / lisa.gay@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 special needs children, 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 Resources for prospective and current students and parents. www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/DisabilityResourceCenter University of Louisville Disability Resource Center 119 Stevenson Hall, Louisville, Ky., 40292 (502) 852-6938 / askdrc@louisville.edu UofL provides support for students with documented disabilities by promoting equal access to all programs and services. www.louisville.edu/disability Western Kentucky University Student Accessibility Resource Center 1906 College Heights Blvd., Suite 21052 Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 Downing Student Union, First Floor, 1074 (270) 745-5004 / SARC.CONNECT@WKU.EDU WKU coordinates services and accommodations for students with documented 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 538 A 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. ldonline@weta.org www.ldonline.org/ldresources/local_org/kentucky 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 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 Attorney Karen L. Perch 230 Lexington Green Circle Suite 120, Lexington, Ky.,

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021 40503 / (859) 224-0513 Karen Perch and her staff are dedicated to helping clients with legal matters regarding Wills, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, including Special Needs Trusts, Qualifying Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) and Family Trusts and Estate Administration. / www.lifeplanofky.org 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 $2000.00 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 Attorney Robert McClelland, LLM, CELA McClelland & Associates, PLLC, 1795 Alysheba Way, Suite 2102, Lexington, Ky., 40509 (859) 543-0061 / (800) 773-4040 Robert L. McClelland is a certified elder law attorney, special needs trustee and guardian with Elder Law Lexington, the firm of McClelland & Associates, PLLC. He is a member of the Special Needs Alliance, a national alliance of special needs attorneys who focus their practice on benefits planning and caring for those with family members who have special needs. www.elderlawlexington.com 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 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

www.lexingtonfamily.com

dependent, call the Protection and Permanency office in your county or the Toll Free Child Protection Hot Line. 1-877-KYSAFE1 or 1-877-597-2331. 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 Nick Wallace, Financial Planner Northwestern Mutual 330 E. Main Street 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.nickwallace.nm.com

MEDICAL AND THERAPY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Associates in Pediatric Therapy Louisville Area: (502) 633-1007 Lexington Area: (859) 899-2022 Indiana Area: (812) 542-2771 Bowling Green Area: (270) 467-7700 APT’s unique appeal is that it offers a family approach 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 The Kid SpOt Center (Pediatric Therapy) Locations 50 Gene Cash Road, Campbellsville, Ky., 42718 (270) 465-SPOT (465-7768) 107 Financial Dr., Elizabethtown, Ky., 42701 (270) 763-8225 944 Fields Drive, Suite 102, Bowling Green, Ky., 42104 (270) 495-1312 200 Tower Circle, Somerset, Ky., 42503 (606) 416-5139

308 Horton Street, Suite B, Grayson, Ky., 41143 (270) 283-3845 The Kid SpOt Center provides supports to families of children with disabilities. Services include Speech Therapy, 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 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 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 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/ 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. www.kentuckyonehealth.org/rehabilitationcarefrazier

Resource List 2021 Health Point 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/ 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, 800 Rose 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. www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/KCH 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 Bowling Green: 1347 Kentucky Hwy 185, Suite 2, Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 746-0333 Erlanger: 527 Watson Road, Erlanger, Ky., 41018 (859) 727-0700 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 for children who are medically fragile in a daycare setting. 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 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 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 NCC 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-disabilitiesservices/ 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.passporthealthplan.com 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 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 Edelson and Associates, PSC 7511 New La Grange Road, Louisville, Ky., 40222 (502) 423-1151 / www.edelsonandassociates.info Neuropsychological, ADHD, Learning Disability, Autism and Psychological Disorder Evaluations. 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-childrenshospital/ Blue Sprig Pediatrics Lexington Autism Therapy Center 1035 Strader Drive, 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. / https://bluesprigautism.com/

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021

MENTAL 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 Louisville ADHD / Dr. F. Allen Walker 11405 Park Road, Suite 220, Louisville, Ky., 40223 (502) 384-ADHD (2343) / www.louisvilleadhd.com The Kentucky Association of Regional Programs 3459 Buckhorn Drive, Suite 100, Lexington, Ky., 40503 (859) 272-6700 A state association whose members are 11 of the 14 community mental health centers in Kentucky. KARP can connect citizens to their local community mental health center for information about services and support. www.sites.google.com/site/kentuckycmhcs Mental Health America MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit 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. 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 912 Scott St., Covington, Ky., 41011 (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

www.lexingtonfamily.com

Bourborville Daniel Essek: (606) 545-2019 Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793 Bowling Green Deborah Weed & Larry Gregory: (270) 796-2600 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 Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793 Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019 Danville Suzanne Fryman: (859) 221-6879 Nikki Rothwell: (859) 319-9757 Ellen Suters: (859) 200-6642 Jonathan Taylor: (859) 319-4113 Gallatin County Autsin McQuistion: (513) 706-7093 Green River Jasmine Cox: (270) 283-2034 / Jeff Cox: (270) 619-2461 Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019 Steven Hoeck: (606) 282-3793 Hazard Nicole Smith: (606) 233-4372 / Mary Prater: (606) 253-8039 Heartland Brenda Harrington: (859) 550-6628 Hopkinsville Gayla Lockhart: (270) 776-4004 Beverly Jones: (270) 635-1492 Jessica Rambo: (276) 614-4522 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) 282-3793 Daniel Esseck: (606) 545-2019 Louisville Steward Bridgeman: (502) 588-2008 Madison County Suzanne Fryman: (859) 221-6879 Myranda McClure: (859) 986-6301 Rob Milde: (859) 893-5279 Nikki Rothwell: (859) 319-9757 Ellen Suters: (859) 200-6642 Margaret Suters: (859) 582-2613 Madisonville Linda Pierce: (270) 836-3445 Larry Pierce: (270) 836-7087

Beverly Jones: (270) 635-1492 Jessica Rambo: (276) 614-4522 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 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 Beverly Jones: (270) 635-1492 Jessica Rambo Dixon: (276) 614-4522 Winchester Brenda Harrington: (859) 749-3702 Wolfe County Ghedra Dunn: (606) 362-4962 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 with services in mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities. 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

MISCELLANEOUS

Alter UR Ego P.O. Box 56, Farmers, Ky., 40319 / hello@alterurego.co

Resource List 2021 Adaptable clothing for people in wheelchairs to be fashionable and functional. For kids, teens and plus sizes. www.alterurego.co NuMotion Bowling Green 1017 Shive Lane, Suite E, Bowling Green, Ky., 42103 (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 (502) 267-6187 / 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 Creative Learning Center Woodland Early Learning Center 575 Woodland Ave., Lexington, Ky., 40508 (859) 255-3444 www.kindercare.com/our-centers/lexington/ky/301376 The dePaul School 1925 Duker Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40205 (502) 459-6131 / 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 Bowling Green: 1347 Ky. HWY 185, Suite 2 Bowling Green, Ky., 42101 / (270) 746-0333 Erlanger: 527 Watson Road, Erlanger, Ky., 41018 (859) 727-0700 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 for children who are medically fragile in a day care setting. 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 Porter Memorial Church, 4300 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, Ky., 40515 / (859) 971-7129 School for children with learning differences for grades 3-12. / www.koreacademy.org

9402 Towne Square Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242 (513) 531-7400 Louisville Locations: (502) 473-7000 2520 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky., 40205 2805 N. Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, Ky., 40223 St. Francis School, 11000 W. U.S. Hwy 42 Goshen, Ky., 40026 Kentucky Country Day School, 4100 Springdale Road, Louisville, Ky., 40241 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 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 studentteacher ratios will be maintained in other subjects such as science, social studies, computer skills, specials and social skills./ www.thelexingtonschool.org Meredith Dunn School 3023 Melbourne Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40220 (502) 456-5819 / www.meredithdunnschool.org The Provisions School & Family Counseling Center 301 Harvard Drive, Lexington, Ky., 40517 (859) 396-0644 / www.theprovision.org Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool Kosair Charities Center Located on the Masonic Homes Kentucky campus 3800 Tom Larimore Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40041 (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 is 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

The Langsford Center

2021 Exceptional Family KY

Resource List 2021 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 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 4 Paws for Ability UnUniversity of Kentucky / UK4PAWS@gmail.com www.facebook.com/4PawsatUK 4pawsforability.org/ Paws With Purpose P.O. Box 5458, Louisville, Ky., 40255 (502) 689-0804 / Info@PawsWithPurpose.org pawswithpurpose.org Wildcat Service Dogs University of Kentucky wsdpres@gmail.com / www.wildcatservicedogs.org

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

www.lexingtonfamily.com

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 New Perceptions 1 Sperti Drive, Edgewood, Ky., 41017 (859) 344-9322 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 with services in mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities. 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 Pathways P.O. Box 790, Ashland, Ky., 41105 (606) 324-1141 / (800) 562-8909 Pathways assists in obtaining individual and family-determined 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 SCL 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 Redwood Rehabilitation Center 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 “EMPOWER, EDUCATE AND EMPLOY” people of all abilities. 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 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 non-biased 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,

Resource List 2021 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 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, Box 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 Hospital for Children 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, Ky., 40508 (859) 266-2101 www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/lexington

VISION Radio Eye 1733 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, Ky., 40505 (859) 422-6390 / 800-238-5193 ext. 1010 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 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 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 campuslike environment where the Center remains dedicated to adults and youth who are blind or visually impaired. clovernook.org/ Family Eyecare Associates & Children’s Vision and Learning Center, Dr. Rick Graebe 105 Crossfield Drive, Versailles, Ky., 40383 (859) 879-3665 / (855) 686-2020 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. www.myfamilyvision.com Kentucky Office for the Blind Mayo-Underwood Building 500 Mero St., 4th Floor NE, Frankfort, Ky., 40601 (502) 564-4440 / (800) 372-7172 The Kentucky Office for the Blind consolidated services in October 2018 with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The mission of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation/Blind Services Division 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. https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/Blind%20 Services/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 x 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 www.silvercirclesinc.com 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. Visually Impaired Preschool Service (VIPS) Greater Louisville 1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, Ky., 40218 (502) 636-3207 / (888) 636-8477 Central Kentucky 350 Henry Clay Blvd., Lexington, Ky., 40502 (859) 276-0335 / (888) 254-8477 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

2021 Exceptional Family KY

KENTUCKY PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING

Graduates of KPIP 2019

APPLY NOW! 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

LEARN MORE AND CONTACT US: (502) 564-7481 / ccdd@ky.gov www.ccdd.com / facebook.com/kyccdd

Do you want to influence policy at the community, state and national level? Then apply now for the 2021-22 KPIP sessions.