Beth Potter – Page 8

Jacob Mason Tina Jackson Story video still with Jacob and Tina during the interview with the caption: "Who are you and why do you want to share your story?"

HDI Launches Storytelling Website

Posted on September 29, 2021 | by Beth Potter

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute Digital Storytelling Initiative highlights the stories and lived experiences of people with disabilities. By recording and collecting stories, the contributions of people with disabilities and their families are amplified to help shape the narrative of how disability impacts society. These stories can be found at HDI Voices, a website that currently includes stories about employment, health, and COVID-19.

The work continues! Do you have a story to tell? HDI staff Patti Logsdon, Adam Potter, and Patti Singleton want to work with you. You can share your story or work with others to record their story in writing, on audio (podcast), or video. If you are interested in adding to the HDI story collection, fill out the form at https://bit.ly/TellMyStoryHDI or contact Patti Logsdon at patti.logsdon@uky.edu or 859 218-1338.

Visit voices.hdiuky.net and share with others who want to improve their work with people with disabilities and their families. This project was made by possible by a HDI Fund for Excellence proposal.

HDI Receives Notice of Awards

Posted on September 27, 2021 | by Beth Potter

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) received notice of award of a five-year grant from the Administration for Community Living to better serve Kentuckians who experience co-occurring mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Kentucky Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (KY-MHIDD) Training Initiative will let us hone our work from the National Training Initiative that was co-lead with Utah State and Alaska. The goal is to increase understanding and improve implementation of person-centered, culturally relevant services and referral systems. Existing supports will be strengthened and integrated, addressing racial, health (including COVID-19 pandemic), and economic inequities in underserved communities. This is a partnership grant that includes people with disabilities, family members, state agencies, organizations and other stakeholders. Kristen Dahl, Dr. Chithra Adams and Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones will represent HDI in this important work.

The HDI is also working with the Child Neurology Foundation to review the materials they provide to help families and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities navigate the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare system. Laura Butler, Bev Harp and contractors with HDI will review print and web-based content to identify accessibility issues and potentially ableist language or images. HDI will also conduct a training for Child Neurology Foundation staff and provide a resource guide for the development of new materials.

Funding Opportunity to Establish a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program

Posted on August 5, 2021 | by Beth Potter

The Human Development Institute (HDI) is inviting applications from Kentucky Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) for a 12-month planning grant to support IHEs in developing a plan to establish and sustain a CTP program for students with intellectual disabilities (ID).

To support the establishment of new CTPs in Kentucky, HDI intends to fund five (5) applications with a one-time award of $20,000. HDI plans to fund up to 3 applications from colleges within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and up to 2 applications from other Kentucky IHEs. If fewer than the established number of applications in one of these categories are chosen for funding, HDI may fund additional applications in the other category.

Learn more, register for an informational webinar, and apply at the KSHEP website. Contact Johnny.Collett@uky.edu with any questions.

Project SCOPE Online Training Series

Posted on July 21, 2021 | by Beth Potter

The UK Human Development Institute Project SCOPE online training series (nine sessions) is for early care staff who work directly with young children who have neonatal abstinence syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or are affected by substance abuse, and their families. Providers from child care, Head Start, preschool, home visiting, and related programs are encouraged to register for this interactive series that will be held on alternate Tuesdays, from August 24 through November 30, 2021, at 3:30-5pm ET. Each session is interactive and engaging, and includes a speaker, presentation of a related challenge from one of the participants, and small group discussion of possible strategies.

KSHEP Website Launch in white text on a dark blue background

Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership Launches Website

Posted on July 14, 2021 | by Beth Potter

The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) launches the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership’s (KSHEP) website. KSHEP is a network of institutions of higher education (IHEs) committed to increasing higher education options, access, and success for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Kentucky.

The IHEs in this network offer inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs. CTP programs support students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue academic or career and technical instruction at a college or university to better prepare for competitive integrated employment and independent living. All IHEs in this network are partners in the effort to increase higher education options, access, and success for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

There are currently three Kentucky IHEs with approved CTP programs: Northern Kentucky University, Murray State University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and the University of Kentucky (application submitted). These are all part of the larger KSHEP network.

The KSHEP network is supported by the statewide technical assistance center (TAC), which is a project of HDI. KSHEP-TAC provides technical assistance and support to IHEs that have established, or may be interested in establishing inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, like CTP programs.

The KSHEP website provides resources for students and families, IHEs interested in starting a CTP program, and educators and community partners. Visit kshep.hdiuky.org to view information sheets, videos, and other resources about Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs in Kentucky. For more information about CTPs, KSHEP, or the TAC, please contact Johnny Collett at Johnny.Collett@uky.edu or Erin Fitzgerald at Erin.Fitzgerald@uky.edu.