State & Community Resources
Disclaimer: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Jefferson County Public Schools or any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation or organization, or individual. Jefferson County Public Schools bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
Statewide Resources
The Kentucky Department of Education offers a special education parent and family resource page.
KY-SPIN, Inc. (Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network) is a statewide 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. The mission of KY-SPIN, Inc. is to link families and individuals with disabilities to valuable resources that will enable them to live productive, fulfilling lives.
The Kentucky Autism Training Center is committed to improving the quality of life for Kentuckians affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. We do this by bridging research to practice through training and collaboration.
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist with entry or re-entry into employment and productivity in the workplace and community.
Kentucky Early Intervention System
Kentucky Early Intervention System is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. Kentucky Early Intervention System is Kentucky's response to the federal Infant-Toddler Program. Kentucky Early Intervention System offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs
The Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN) provides comprehensive care to children and youth with special health care needs who:
are KY residents
are younger than 21
meet medical eligibility
meet financial eligibility
Division of Long-Term Services and Supports
If you are Medicaid-eligible, have a disability and/or are elderly, you may qualify for long-term care services and support. The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) offers a variety of programs to meet each individual's unique needs and goals. Click the link above to learn more about Medicaid waiver programs and how to apply.
Department for Medicaid Services
Kentucky Medicaid is a state and federal program authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide health care for eligible low-income residents including children, families, pregnant women, the aged, and the disabled. Eligibility is determined by a number of factors, including family size, income, and the federal poverty level. Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income recipients, the aged, blind, and disabled are based on additional requirements.
Contact KY Medicaid by phone: 1-855-824-5615
Lee Zimmerman, CEO and Founder of The Kidz Club, recognized the need for children with medical complexities to have access to daily nursing care, therapies, and friends – all in an enriching environment. His goal to positively impact the whole family unit through the care of these special children led to the establishment of The Kidz Club, the first Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care facility in Kentucky.
The Kidz Club was founded out of compassion and a commitment to improve, empower, and enrich the lives of children with medical complexities as well as their families.
Local Resources
The Norton Children’s Autism Center, affiliated with the U of L School of Medicine, provides multidisciplinary, family-centered care for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our treatments and services focus on helping children and families meet their goals, such as increasing communication skills, independence, life skills and much more.
The mission of Down Syndrome of Louisville is to support, educate, and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome; thus enabling them to reach their full potential.
The Council is a small nonprofit with a great big vision: a society that includes, values and empowers children, youth and adults with IDD. Our mission is to initiate positive change on behalf of our constituents.
What is BLOCS?
BLOCS (Building Louisville's Out-of-School Time Coordinated System) is a partnership of Louisville, Kentucky education, government and community impact organizations that strive to improve opportunities for our youth. We’re also instrumental in:
Setting quality standards for out-of-school time programs
Inciting participation by out-of-school time program providers
Motivating out-of-school time program providers to strive for excellence
Greater Louisville Education Cooperative
Greater Louisville Education Cooperative (GLEC) is actively designing resources and delivering professional learning that is aligned with Kentucky’s Comprehensive System of Continuous Improvement. Our focus is professional learning and its impact on students with disabilities (SWDs).
FEAT of Louisville
Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Louisville is a non-profit organization that actively provides support, education and programs for the entire family.
Created for families by families, FEAT of Louisville is dedicated to easing the autism journey through ongoing support, education and programs including the Autism Friendly Business Initiative. The FEAT website includes a categorized directory of businesses who participate in the Initiative with the goal of inclusivity. Much of the work is done by volunteers to assist in growing support programs and services.
Seven Counties Services
Seven Counties Services is a Community Mental Health Center that offers a full range of mental and behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services in a seven-county region in Kentucky. Counties served include Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, and Henry.
Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place is a partnership of Louisville Metro agencies and community residents who have come together to deliver services in a new way. The approach requires a unified action plan among diverse governments, agencies and neighborhood residents. Because agencies are not competing with one another, they are in a position to maximize every resource available to them. The most significant benefit is to the families Neighborhood Place serves.
OUR MISSION
Neighborhood Place works with communities to provide blended and accessible health, education, employment and human services that support children and families in their progress toward self-sufficiency.