Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities

01/30/2026

🚨 Exciting News for First Responders! 🚨

The Kentucky Autism Training Center is launching The Bridge: First Responders & Autism—a quarterly newsletter created specifically for YOU!

This resource will keep first responders across the Commonwealth up to date with the latest safety information, practical strategies, and evidence-based approaches for supporting autistic individuals in our communities.

Each issue of The Bridge will include:
🔴 Critical Safety Alert
🎓 Training Reminder
🟡 Yellow Dot Program Spotlight
📚 Resource Corner
✨ Request a FREE Training

We are grateful for your ongoing commitment to serving all members of our community with dignity and understanding. Your work matters, and we're honored to support you!

📬 Don't miss the first edition! We'll only produce 2-4 issues per year, so we promise we won't fill up your inbox—just valuable, actionable information when you need it.

Sign up today:
👉 tinyurl.com/KATCMAILING

Questions? Visit us at KYAUTISM.org

Together, we're building bridges of understanding and safety across Kentucky.
💙

01/30/2026

More than 1,000 children in Kentucky have a visual impairment, but education advocates say that doesn't mean they should be left behind.

"Often people say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a picture in braille, there aren't enough words," said Dr. Amanda Lannan. Details below.

01/29/2026

Team Kentucky is dedicated to providing quality health care services to all Kentuckians, including the state's most vulnerable residents. In December, the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) hosted an in-person orientation for providers interested in delivering services through the Community Health for Improved Lives and Development (CHILD) waiver program. It's the state's newest 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver. Since this in-person orientation, one provider has been certified for services. If your agency is interested, check out the CHILD Provider Journey Map at https://buff.ly/pdradpK, and contact DMS.

01/29/2026

Louisville and Lexington Kentucky!!!! Please share - you never know who you know that would love to attend this event!

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7594307244569742622?_r=1&_t=ZP-93014FQV5yx&fbclid=IwY2xjawPSZy5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe0mflzckure0Fodj5pdUbwbGtrgPMktfQwUishuAj5y-Jinh1uHiTa6WDnqc_aem_Npleoy1BdIW1Aqag_WpXYg

01/29/2026

📚 You’re Invited to a Virtual Book Release Party!

Join us for the My Silence Roars Zoom Book Release Party on Monday, February 2 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

This virtual event will feature a special interview with author Tina Jackson, led by Kimberly Parsley, host of the Demand and Disrupt podcast. Tina will share insights about her memoir, the inspiration behind it, and the themes explored in My Silence Roars.

🎁 All registered attendees will be entered into a drawing for a free copy of the book.

📍 This event will be held on Zoom. Registration is required.
👉 RSVP here: https://bit.ly/mysilenceroarsparty

Alt Text: Flyer inviting viewers to a virtual My Silence Roars book release party with date, Zoom RSVP, and speaker details.

01/29/2026

❗REMINDER❗ Based on the input received and our evaluation of our network and services, we’ve developed the final preferred alternative for TANK’s future network. Hear the details and ask questions during our online virtual public meeting tonight:

TANK Transit Development Plan Presentation
Wednesday, January 28, at 6 p.m.
Join via a Zoom link here 👉 https://loom.ly/FMC-Cm4
Or dial in to join by phone: 929-436-2866, meeting ID: 854 9683 9881

01/29/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗦
We are seeking models of all ages to participate in the 2026 PossAbilities Expo Fashion Show. This event celebrates confidence, individuality, and all abilities.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥
👉Like and follow our page
👉Post a photo of your model in the comments (Include the model’s first name)

Submission Deadline: February 8 | Contest Begins: February 9

𝙋𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀: 𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.

Please submit only if you are able to attend all of the following events in Bowling Green, KY:
-Model Fitting: March 19–22 (appointment TBD)
-Rehearsal: July 17, 5:00–7:00 PM
-Fashion Show: July 18 (model time slot TBD)

01/28/2026

Check out SILC's new Youth Advisory Council's new web page: https://kysilc.org/yac/
This is a great way to start your advocacy journey if you are 18-24 years old and want to make a difference!

Kentucky SILC Youth Programs Youth Advisory Council Inclusion Includes Us Youth Advisory Council Our Mission To empower youth with disabilities to embrace their identities, advocate for their rights, and lead...

01/27/2026

The Employment 1st Council’s Employer Education & Engagement committee has launched it's Autism Informed Employer 2-minute video series, with quarterly opportunities for discussion. This is a collaborative effort with the E1 Council and Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW.) Watch the first video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1595014201844422

01/27/2026

The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP) has created a great resource to help you on your journey.
The Resource Maps will help you find the right tools fast. They have organized TASP-developed and curated materials into easy-to-browse maps. Pick the map that fits your role or the type of resources you're looking for. This is great for parents and professionals alike.
Check it out here:

[...]Read More... from Resources

01/27/2026

The Department for Medicaid Services is notifying the 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services network that waiver regulations for the Community Health for Improved Lives and Development (CHILD) waiver program are now available for review. The regulations were first released via RegWatch in accordance with KRS 13A.270(3)(c).

Proposed CHILD waiver program regulations are here: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/907/002/
Comments can be submitted through March 31, 2026, using the contact information below.
Krista Quarles, Policy Analyst
Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
275 East Main Street, 5W-A
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
Phone: 502-564-7476
Fax: 502-564-7091
Email: CHFSregs@ky.gov

If requested, an administrative hearing on the proposed regulations will be held on March 23, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Individuals interested in attending this hearing must notify the contact person above no later than March 16, 2026, which is five (5) days prior to the hearing date. If no requests to attend are received by March 16, it may be canceled.
To sign up for notifications about regulation public comment periods, use RegWatch at https://secure.kentucky.gov/regwatch/

01/23/2026

If you have someone with a disability or that is elderly please help make sure they are prepared for the next 3 days!