This section offers a variety of support organizations for persons with disabilities, family members and anyone who works with a person with a disability.

Association of Retarded Citizens
The ARC of Kentucky
833 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-875-5225
1-800-281-1272
email:  arcofky@aol.com
Website:  http://arcofky.org/

For Local Chapters of ARC
http://arcofky.org/chapters/

Family Information Network on Disabilities (FIND) of Louisville offers a resource center for parents and families of children with disabilities (birth to 21 years old).
FIND of Louisville
1146 South Third Street
Louisville, KY  40203  
Phone (502)-584-1239
Website  http://www.findoflouisville.org/

First Steps Parent Consultants  Each of the Parent Consultants are a parent of a child currently or formerly enrolled in First Steps.  They Provide information and resources to families and offer a parent perspective to other families and providers   They coordinate training and special events for families of children with developmental delays such as Fireside Chats which focus on preparing families for the transition from First Steps to preschool.
Visit this link for contact information for your First Steps Parent Consultant.
http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/program+staff.htm 

HANDS is a voluntary home visitation program for first-time moms and/or dads residing in Kentucky.  Services can begin during pregnancy or anytime before a child is 3 months old.  Families begin by meeting with a HANDS Parent Visitor who will discuss any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a baby's first years. Based on the discussion, all families will receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families will receive further support through home visitation.

HANDS is a program for 1^st time parents.  It is not just for parents of special needs babies.   If interested contact the local health department.  For a list of local health departments click here.

Kentucky Assistive Technology Services (KATS Network) offers technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities of all ages. 
Website:  http://www.katsnet.org/

Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) places emphasis on providing information and training on intervention strategies that are supported by research as being effective with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. While the KATC does not provide direct clinical assessment or intervention services, all activities are designed to have a direct impact on the individual. In addition, KATC staff members work with other agencies to assist them in conducting assessments and providing direct intervention services to individuals. 

KATC Resource Center
Spectrum Building (formerly known as Old Male High)
911 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY   40203
502.852.4631 or 800.334.8635 ext. 852-4631
katc@louisville.edu
http://kyautism.org/

KyCARES is an online services/information directory and guide for Federal, State and Community Providers which can help you connect with providers   http://kycares.ky.gov/    

Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children KPFC is a private, nonprofit children's mental health advocacy organization. KPFC is dedicated to improving the services for children in Kentucky with emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health disabilities. KPFC provides support, education, and advocacy to families that have children with disabilities and to the professionals that serve them.
Phone: (502) 875-1320

Toll Free: (800) 369-0533
Website:  http://www.kypartnership.org

KY Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN)  The mission of KY-SPIN, Inc. is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to effectively advocate for and access needed information, resources and support networks in order to enhance the quality of their lives. SPIN provides training, information and support to people with disabilities, their parents and families, and information on all types of disabilities and topics for all age groups. Through a "Families Training Families" model, consultants conduct community workshops on the issues of laws, rights, listening and communication skills, to promote better understanding of disability issues.
10301-B Deering Rd.
Louisville, KY 40272
Toll Free: 1-800-525-7746
Phone: (502) 937-6894   Fax: (502) 937-6464
E-mail: spininc@kyspin.com
Website: http://www.kyspin.com/

Opportunities for Family Leadership (OFL) is part of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Service.  The goal of OFL is to ensure that the family voice is included in every stage of planning, implementation and evaluation of services for the special populations they serve. Whether it's brain injuries, mental illness, emotional disabilities or mental retardation, they strive to ensure that every family member has the opportunity to offer his or her leadership throughout the Commonwealth. OFL offers various levels of training for both parents and professionals in advocacy, communication, collaboration, mediation, support group development, and school law.  OFL offers a resource line for parents and caregivers. OFL offers small grants to help support family/caregiver support groups. 
http://mhmr.ky.gov/mh/family/  

A Family Liaison’s role is to help create and build-up a network of parents who have children with emotional disabilities.  It is our goal to enhance the systems of care for families throughout the state.  Family Liaisons also develop and provide trainings to parents on such topics as special education, self-esteem, collaboration, parenting skills, etc.  We are also responsible for developing and facilitating the growth of parent support groups within our designated region and serving as a parent voice within our agencies/schools.  Furthermore, we develop and provide trainings to enhance parent professional partnerships and assist caregivers to be a stronger advocate for their children through education, training and support.  The Family Liaison also provides newsletters to parents regarding updates on upcoming workshops, disability information, parent support groups within their community, and special education issues.
OFL Kentucky Family Liaisons:

REGION: 003 GREEN RIVER              
Counties:  Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster
MICHELLE HICKMAN
RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
1100 WALNUT ST.
OWENSBORO, KY 42302                                   
270-689-6634

REGION: 004 BARREN RIVER             
Counties:  Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren
JASON GARRETT
LIFESKILLS SERVICE CENTER
112 SARTIN DRIVE, PO BOX 600
EDMONTON, KY 42129                                    
270-432-4951

REGION: 006J  JEFFERSON              
Counties:  Jefferson 
DENISE SIMPSON
SEVEN COUNTIES SERVICES INC.
914 E. BROADWAY, 3^RD FLOOR
LOUISVILLE, KY 40204                                      
502-589-8615 x 1 KIP (x1547)

REGION: 006S  SALT RIVER                 
Counties:  Shelby, Bullitt, Oldham, Henry, Spencer, Trimble
JOY VARNEY
SALT RIVER RIAC
SEVEN COUNTIES SVCS.
PO BOX 136
SHELBYVILLE, KY 40066-6203                         
502-633-5683

REGION:  007  NORTHERN KY.                      
Counties:  Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton
JOYCE WILLIAMS
NORTH KEY COMMUNITY CARE
19 EAST PIKE ST.
COVINGTON, KY 41011                                
859-491-1361

REGION: 010  FIVCO                              
Counties:  Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence
BARBARA WORDEN
RIAC FAMILY LIAISON
PATHWAYS INC.
PO BOX 790
ASHLAND, KY 41101-0790                                
606-324-4005  Ext. 4515         

 REGION: 011  BIG SANDY                      
Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Pike
LAHOMA AILIFF                           
PO BOX 151
FORT GAY, WV 25514     
304-648-5448

REGION: 012  KY. RIVER                
Counties:  Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe
DOUG HUDSON
JACKSON CITY SCHOOL                                 
KRCC – BRIDGES PROJECT
940 HIGHLAND AVE.
JACKSON, KY 41339
606-666-7475

CAROL RILEY
PERRY ALTERNATIVE COUNTY SCHOOL  
606-487-9357 (Bridges)
Works Wednesday & Thursday & Alt. Friday
HAZARD HIGH SCHOOL                                 
606-487-9823 (Bridges)
Works Monday & Tuesday & Alt. Friday

REGION:  013  CUMBERLAND VALLEY             
Counties: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley
BARBARA GREENE
WILLIAMSBURG INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 
100 MAIN ST.
WILLIAMSBURG, KY 40769 
CUMBERLAND RIVER CCC
PO BOX 568
AMERICAN GREETING RD.
CORBIN, KY 40702
606-549-6044 x 338

REGION 15E:  BLUEGRASS EAST             
Counties:  Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Powell
CHERYL JACKSON
RIAC FAMILY LIAISON
BLUEGRASS IMPACT EAST
570 EAST MAIN ST.
LEXINGTON, KY 40508                                     
859-254-3106

Office of Family Resources and Youth Services Centers  (FRYSC)
The primary goal of these centers is to remove non-cognitive barriers to learning as a means to enhance student academic success.  Each center offers a unique blend of programs and services determined by the needs of the population being served, available resources, location and other local characteristics.  Currently 782 FRYSCs serve 1,143 schools.
Call to locate the center nearest you 502.564.4986

Parent Resource Centers Some Kentucky school districts provide information and support to parents of exceptional children through locally funded and staffed Parent Resource Centers.  For more information about available services, contact your local PRC from the list below. If your district does not have a PRC, and you would like information on other resources for assistance, contact any of  the PRC’s.

Parent Information Network of KY (PiNK) is a statewide, family driven organization focused on linking families together who have children with similar disabilities or special health care needs. This parent to parent support (or family to family) is essential to the well being of the family and child because it provides the referral family with information and resources from the supporting family who has "been there, done there".
www.Kyp2p.org

The Council on Mental Retardation is a private non-profit association of families and friends of persons with mental retardation, has been advocating for persons with mental retardation in Jefferson County since 1952.  Please call us for any assistance concerning your family issues around disabilities.
Services to Families of Persons with Mental Retardation:
Parent Outreach, Guardianship and Planning for the Future , Information and Referral, FIND (Family Information Network on Disabilities), and Find a Future ( www.findafuture.org).

The Council on
Mental Retardation
1146 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 
40203-2997
Phone: (502) 584-1239
Fax: (502) 584-1261
email:  info@councilonmr.org
Website:  http://www.councilonmr.org/

Other Useful Information

Flowchart on Access to Mental Health Services for Children Birth to Age 5 (2005)
Developed to help health professionals understand: the major early childhood programs in Kentucky , who is eligible for evaluations, how to refer children for services, and how to obtain evaluations that may have been conducted on their patients by those programs.

* The sole purpose of this page is to provide families and caregivers information that will allow them to make a more informed decision and to assist them seek services and providers of their choice.  Any inclusion or omission of any provider is not intended to make a statement about that provider or the services offered.

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