KY Family to Family Health Information Center

01/17/2026

Learn more in our bio or visit: https://linktr.ee/kyf2fhic

01/14/2026

Welcome our new East Region Director! Andrea brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to this work. As a parent of a child with ADHD and hearing loss, she understands firsthand the barriers that families can face—even when needs are not always visible. Her personal journey navigating educational systems, building support networks, and advocating for her daughter’s social and emotional well-being has deepened her empathy and commitment to serving other families walking a similar path.

Professionally, Andrea has spent over a decade developing inclusive, bilingual family engagement programs and resources. She most recently volunteered with The Be Kind People Project, creating culturally responsive SEL toolkits for K–12 families. She also serves as a Lab Associate with Boise State University’s Process Management Lab, where she supports nonprofits in improving systems and operations. Andrea started her career as a Music Therapist working with children and older adults. Her additional roles included managing a bilingual grief support program, teaching Spanish to 2e learners, and designing various training and curriculum programs.

She is a mom of three, with a deep love of community theater, youth sports, and crafting.
We are thrilled to have Andrea bring her voice, vision, and lived expertise to the team.

01/12/2026

Learn more about our services and how to reach out at https://linktr.ee/kyf2fhic

01/07/2026

ℹ️ Learn more here: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/child.aspx

The Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services is pleased to announce a new program that will move us toward Team Kentucky's vision of a Commonwealth where every Kentuckian reaches their full human potential. The Community Health for Improved Lives and Development (CHILD) waiver offers home and community-based support for children and youth up to age 21 who have serious behavioral health or developmental needs. The program's goal is to help them live full, meaningful lives at home. Learn more about the program and whether your child might qualify at https://buff.ly/YXkr8QW.

11/14/2025

🩵 Writing your Representatives makes a difference 🩵 Have your voice heard 🎤 Family to Family Health Information Centers are staffed by parents and caregivers of special health care needs who provide peer to peer support and resources to families of children with special healthcare needs. This network is a necessity for families navigating complex health systems and impacts hundreds of families. If you’ve been impacted by F2F, please consider sharing your story and support.

The shutdown hasn’t stopped our advocacy. Join us in a letter-writing campaign! Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F) provide free support to families of children with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in all 50 states, 5 US territories and 3 tribal nations. If an F2F has supported your family or your professional work, please visit democracy.io and select your senators or representative. Tell them why the F2Fs are crucial to supporting CYSHCN in your state/community.

11/11/2025

Great information!

🌟 Becoming a Critical Consumer of Autism Information 🌟

With so much information about autism shared online and through social media, it can be hard to know what’s accurate. Unfortunately, some sources promote misinformation or “quick fixes” that aren’t supported by evidence.

At the Kentucky Autism Training Center, we encourage families, educators, and community members to become critical consumers of autism information. Reliable, evidence-based practices make a real difference in supporting autistic individuals.

Here are a few tips to help evaluate what you read or hear:
✅ Consider the Source – Check credentials, intent, and bias.
✅ Read Beyond the Headline – Headlines can mislead; read the full story.
✅ Evaluate the Evidence – Look for rigorous research, not just testimonials.
✅ Check Against Reliable Sources – Confirm with expert consensus.

🧠 Prevent misinformation from sticking—stay informed through trusted sources like KYAUTISM.org

📄 Check out this helpful resource from the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD): “Becoming a Critical Consumer of Autism Information” (developed by Fleury, 2025).

10/23/2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SNAP Benefit Update

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to operate during October 2025 and individuals will receive their October benefits as usual.

Because of the federal government shutdown, Kentucky has been told that November 2025 SNAP benefits may be delayed if the shutdown continues. It is not yet known whether November benefits will be loaded on EBT cards on time, or at all, while the shutdown continues.

What SNAP participants should know:

• You will still get your October benefits.
• You can keep using any benefits already on your EBT card.
• This issue does not affect your eligibility for SNAP.
• DCBS offices are open and still taking applications. This includes benefits from the Simplified Assistance for the Elderly (SAFE) and Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) programs.

For the latest updates, visit chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs, check your kynect.ky.gov account, or watch for official DCBS texts or emails.

10/22/2025

💼 Did You Know? Kentucky Has an Employment First Policy!

Employment First means that competitive integrated employment in the general workforce is considered the first and primary option for people with disabilities of working age who want to work—including autistic individuals.

Why does this matter?
Currently, only 37.9% of Kentuckians with disabilities are employed, compared to 78.2% of Kentuckians without disabilities. That's a gap we can—and must—close!

Signed into law on March 24, 2022, Kentucky's Employment First Policy is working to:
✅ Build a more inclusive workforce
✅ Strengthen Kentucky's economy
✅ Improve quality of life for citizens with disabilities across the Commonwealth

This impacts everyone:
Employers – Consider inclusive recruitment and retention practices
Educators – Incorporate employment goals into transition planning and IEPs
Service Providers – Center employment in goal setting and service delivery
Individuals with Disabilities – Know your rights and pursue your employment goals
Policy Makers – Advance workforce development with inclusion in mind

Employment First is about presuming competence and creating opportunities for ALL Kentuckians to contribute their talents and skills to the workforce.

Learn more: www.employmentfirstky.org

10/20/2025

We 💛 the Yellow Dot initiative 🟡 from Kentucky Autism Training Center!

🚗💛 Stay Safe with the Yellow Dot Program Sponsored by the Kentucky Autism Training Center! 💛🚗

The Yellow Dot Program is a FREE safety initiative designed to help first responders access vital medical information during an emergency. This program can be especially helpful for:

✅ People with autism, disabilities, or chronic health conditions
✅ Older adults
✅ Caregivers and support professionals
✅ Anyone preparing for emergency interactions

How it works:
1️⃣ Place the Yellow Dot decal on the lower-left corner of your rear vehicle window (driver’s side).
2️⃣ Complete your personal information form and keep it in your glove box.
3️⃣ Make sure each driver and passenger has their own completed form.

📦 Materials are FREE for Kentucky residents. Each set costs nearly $2.00 to print and ship — by requesting only what you need, you’re helping us share this life-saving resource with more people across the state!

👉 Request your FREE Yellow Dot Program materials today by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting: www.kyautism.org

Together, we can make Kentucky’s roads safer for everyone. 💙

10/20/2025

If you or someone you care for may qualify for medical cannabis, the Office for Medical Cannabis can help.

Learn More here:

The Patient and Caregiver Registry Portal is open for applications as of January 1, 2025. You can access the portal here​.

10/12/2025

Building your knowledge in special education strengthens your ability to be an advocate. Join the Bridging the Gap series this fall and gain tools around IDEA, ADA, 504 plans, IHPs, and procedural safeguards. Morning and evening times every week make it convenient for everyone to attend.
https://tinyurl.com/547uuakt

10/09/2025

📢 Register for montly Medicaid information meetings here ➡️ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rmtBFvYqQUyVIwJR4ioI3w

There's still time left to register for Kentucky Medicaid's virtual monthly meeting for this month! Join us as we discuss important topics and updates related to Medicaid. Participants will have the chance to ask questions.

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rmtBFvYqQUyVIwJR4ioI3w