Early Childhood & Education News

Ross makes her stage debut

Suzanne Ross Staff Photo
It’s never too late to discover a passion, as Suzanne Ross can attest. At 62, she’s trying something new and loving every minute of it ...

Dr. Rachel Womack joins HDI!

Staff photo Rachel Womack
HDI’s new training director worked with the organization before, and it had a profound impact on her life. Now, she’ll be working with some of the ...

HDI Staff Spotlight on Adam Potter

Young man with fair skin and dark hair wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes
For much of his college career, Adam Potter struggled to find the right path. Despite being an avid musician, he didn’t feel like his initial ...

Making Connections

two people talking and laughing
As Executive Director Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones tells it, 2023 was a year of connections for the Human Development Institute. Connections, according to Sheppard-Jones, are a ...

She got her wish! A staff spotlight on Bethany Hughes

Staff Spotlight Bethany Hughes
Bethany Hughes always knew to some degree where her life was headed. “People always say, Hey, I always wanted to be a firefighter,” Hughes said ...

She wears many hats! A staff spotlight on Chelsea Bocard

staff spotlight Chelsea Bocard
Chelsea Bocard wears enough hats, she could open her own hatter. Bocard’s technical job title is Disability Program Assistant, but it doesn’t get across exactly ...

Applications being accepted for the 2024 Summer Leadership Experience

group photo of summer leadership campers at UK
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation present the Summer Leadership Experience (SLE) in July 2024. All Kentucky ...

Kindness is Free. A Staff Spotlight on Dr. Angela Cooper

Staff Spotlight Angela Cooper
After earning her associate’s degree, Angela Cooper decided it was enough…until she wanted to learn just a bit more. She kept learning just a bit ...

HDI Staff and Students Attend AUCD Annual Conference

six HDI staff and students standing in front of the AUCD conference banner
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) staff and students attend the 2023 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) conference. The theme of this ...

UK expands training to help substance-exposed children

baby playing with blocks
Educators from the University of KY are providing a unique service to address a desperate need- training students to work with babies born substance exposed ...

Quilting a Life of Learning. A staff spotlight on Sally Dannenberg

Staff Photo of Sally Dannenburg, UK HDI Logo top left
Sally Dannenberg loves to learn and watch people learn. Maybe that has something to do with why she enjoys working with children so much - ...

Summer Leadership Experience 2023

Group picture of camp attendees at the UK Student Center steps
What comes next after you graduate high school? When students toss their caps in the air, a whole new world opens up and they’re faced ...

HDI Photo Library Available Now!

Four people smiling and laughing with their arms around each other. Trees are in the background.
Stock photography lacks disability representation. The photos are often staged and use models without disabilities resulting in misrepresentation and unnatural scenes. Staff from the University ...

HDI’s Preservice Health Training Stands the Test of Time

HDI’s Preservice Health Training Stands the Test of Time
Medical knowledge can advance so quickly that it’s a wonder when any tool stands the test of more than a few years. HDI’s Preservice Training ...

From Hollywood to HDI

man wearing a striped shirt, sunglasses, and a hat standing in front of trees
Gregory Bow loves using his art to tell stories. For a while, that meant working in Hollywood in the animation industry. Now, it means working ...

A Semi-Brief Fascinating History of American Sign Language + Resources for Learning

ASL
There is a vast misconception among hearing Americans that American Sign Language is English on the hands, but in fact, it is a full language ...

Lifetime access pass to national parks and recreational land offers accessible options to Americans with disabilities  

rock formations with bright horizon, with a circular body of bright blue water in the middle, and a tall rock formation in the center or the water
Spring sunshine continues to taunt summer loving Kentuckians with its promise of the radiant afternoon rays that fade into calm evening glow. It’s a great ...

“Can You Read My Lips?” Ten Things to Know Before You Ask

Illustration of lips followed by text: "Can you read my lips?" Here's what you should know before you ask.
Lip reading is a communication technique in which a person who does not have full access to sound closely watches the mouth of a speaker ...

Child Care Aware of Kentucky Block Project

A group of wooden blocks in various shapes and colors
It might be surprising to learn that one of the most powerful tools for teaching children during early development is the humble building block. And ...

New HDI project to use Universal Design to create inclusive student environments

Five high school kids are gathered round a table collaborating on a robotics project. Wires and white rolled poster paper are visible on the table.
Over the past several years, the mental health of students has declined. According to the CDC, the pandemic saw mental health concerns reach a crisis ...

A look into the Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design

series of gears and other design elements
Universal Design affects everyone—students of all disciplines, people with disabilities, and any other community members. Universal design creates spaces and products that are as usable ...

Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities Student Spotlight: Ruhiyyih Henderson

Ruhiyyih Hendeson student spotlight graphic, she is wearing a white dress and a white flower crown, smiling for the picture
Meet Ruhiyyih Henderson: a student in the Human Development Institute’s Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities program! Ruhiyyih has worked with people with a wide range ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Micah Peace Urquilla

Micah's graphic. They are wearing a floral top and have short, brown hair. They're smiling at the camera
Meet Micah Peace Urquilla! Micah is a 28 year old Queer, Autistic, and multiply Disabled self-advocate. Micah lives in Louisville with their husband Manny and ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Clare Andres

Clare Andres trainee spotlight graphic. She has long, blonde hair and is wearing a green t-shirt and grey cardigan
Meet Clare Andres! Clare is a third-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at the University of Kentucky. Clare recently completed her ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Gabby Imfeld

Gabby Imfeld graphic; she is smiling at the camera, has dark, coily hair and is wearing a white long sleeve shirt, holding up a green mechanical pencil
Meet Gabby Imfeld! Gabby is currently a third-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at the University of Kentucky. Gabby initially found ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Drummond USAF

Jon Drummond spotlight image; he is wearing a black t-shirt, wearing glasses, and has short, grey hair
Meet Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jonathan Drummond USAF (retired)! Jon comes to the University of Kentucky with an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Kansas State University) ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Nicholas Hoffman

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Nicholas Hoffman
Meet Nicholas Hoffman! Nicholas is a fourth-year student at Eastern Kentucky University’s Doctor of Psychology program and is currently enrolled in classes and accruing hours ...

ASL Team delivers services at Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness

ASL Team standing in front of SERID Conference poster
This past October, the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Team, housed at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Hope Leet Dittmeier

LEND Trainee Spotlight: Meet Hope Leet Dittmeier
Meet Hope Leet Dittmeier! Hope has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over forty years. Hope has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation from ...

Kentucky DeafBlind Project Connects Youth from Across the State for a Week of Hands-On Education and Fun

Campers showing their goofy side by making faces
For each of the past seven summers, DeafBlind young adults across Kentucky have come together for Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Week, a five-day recreational learning ...

KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Cameron Tyrrell

Meet Cameron Tyrrell: He has short blonde hair and is wearing a black t-shirt looking to the side
Cameron Tyrell is a second-year doctoral student in the Special Education program at the University of Kentucky with an emphasis in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education ...

The State of HDI Episode 1: Inclusive Higher Education in Kentucky Supported Higher Education Project

A smiling female student standing next to a screen displaying information about the UK-SHEP project
Date: 9/7/2022 Description: Students with intellectual disabilities have been significantly underrepresented in higher education. Learn more about inclusive higher education programs supporting students with education ...

Going beyond the requirements, UK HDI’s Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center sets exemplary standard for improving students with disabilities transitional outcomes after high school

KYPSO Logo
In 2020, Kentucky students with disabilities who had exited high school in the previous year were asked which resource in high school had continued to ...

UK Human Development Institute Resources Formally Recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics for Families of Infants with Down Syndrome

Mother and father with a baby with Down syndrome
In a clinical report released on April 18, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended resources administered by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute to ...

UK Human Development Institute Welcomes Kentucky High School Upperclassmen with Disabilities to Apply to its Summer Leadership Experience Camp 

A group of high school campers sitting in UK Student Center
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute will host its Summer Leadership Experience camp for its sixth consecutive summer. The transitional experience camp, which will ...

Funding Opportunity to Establish a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program

Students at University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is inviting applications from Kentucky institutions of higher education for 12-month planning funds to support them in ...

HDI Staff and Students Selected to present at National Conferences

microphone with chairs in the foreground
Congratulations to HDI Staff selected to present at the 2022 National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference in San Diego, California in March. Evaluating the Stress-Appraisal-Coping ...

Taylor Tucker named “Hometown Hero”

Lynne Tucker Staff Photo
Congratulations to Taylor Tucker, a Quality Coach for Child Care Aware of Kentucky in the Two Rivers region. Tucker was recently named a Hometown Hero ...

University of Kentucky Human Development Institute releases 2022-2023 Strategic Plan

University of Kentucky Human Development Institute releases 2022-2023 Strategic Plan
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is pleased to announce the release of its 2022-2023 Strategic Plan. As Kentucky’s University Center on Disability, ...

HDI Staff to Present at Annual AUCD Conference

AUCD Conference ad.
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) staff are preparing to present sessions and posters at the 2021 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) ...

Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design Student Spotlight: Victoria Cabral

Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design Student Spotlight: Victoria Cabral
By: Amanda Corbin Victoria Cabral is a busy junior with a double major in Spanish and Computer Science who also started coursework in the Undergraduate ...

HDI Launches Storytelling Website

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?"
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 ...

HDI Receives Notice of Awards

Photo of Mineral Industries Building with UK blue overlay and UK HDI logo in white
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 ...

Funding Opportunity to Establish a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program

Students at University of Kentucky
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 ...

Project SCOPE Online Training Series

b/w photo of infant with black hair
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 ...

Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership Launches Website

KSHEP Website Launch in white text on a dark blue background
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 ...

Child Care Aware of Kentucky Regional Administrator selected for 2021 Exchange Leadership Initiative

Hans Peterson staff photo. He has short brown hair and is wearing black glasses with a red flannel and smiling at the camera.
Hans Peterson, Regional Administrator of the Jefferson region of Child Care Aware (CCA) of Kentucky has been selected to participate in the 2021 Exchange Leadership ...

Addressing Education and Postsecondary Inequities for Kentucky Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Photo of Mineral Industries Building with UK blue overlay and UK HDI logo in white
On May 20, 2021, the University of Kentucky submitted application to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid to establish a Comprehensive ...

2021 Summer Leadership Experience Accepting Applications

Summer Leadership Camp Experience Group Picture
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation present the Summer Leadership Experience on July 7–10, 2021 ...

Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities Student Spotlight: Emma Foret

woman standing in front of trees is smiling has blonde hair and is wearing a red sweater
Music therapy is gaining popularity as an effective approach for enhancing communication and social skills for people with developmental disabilities. This year’s cohort of Graduate ...

Koeller named WKU Child Studies 2021 Alumnus of the Year

Staff Photo of Stephanie Koeller
Western Kentucky University has named Stephanie Koeller the Child Studies 2021 Alumnus of the Year. Stephanie is a Professional Development Coach with Child Care Aware ...

The Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center Takes on a New Look

KYPSO Logo
The Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center (KYPSO) has a new project logo. KYPSO, a project of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, introduces a ...

Delivering on the Promise of Employment First for Students with Significant Disabilities

Employment First Kentucky Logo
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute - HDI, the Kentucky Department of Education, and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation are pleased to announce ...

Kentucky awarded an OSEP Educational Leadership Grant

3 people standing in front of book stacks holding books
The Kentucky LEADS (Leading, Educating, Advocating-Directors of Special Education) Academy grant from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to the Kentucky Department of Education ...

The Kentucky Alternate Assessment Project

Jaci Norman Staff Photo
The Kentucky Alternate Assessment Project (KAAP) is a result of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) of 1990 and is designed to include students with ...

Percussion Empowerment Project

Haley wearing a black shirt smiling at the camera in front of a blue mural
A UK Human Development Institute (HDI) Fund for Excellence award has been given to Haley Potter, BA, to fund a pilot project aimed at teaching ...

Hausman and Howard to lead Kentucky’s Act Early Network

b/w photo of infant with black hair
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has received a 2020 Act Early State and Territorial Team COVID-19 Response Initiative grant funded through an ...

HDI Program Administrator to serve as Co-Investigator for IMLS National Libraries Leadership Award

Caroline Gooden Staff Photo
Dr. Caroline Gooden, Disability Program Administrator at the UK Human Development Institute, will serve as a Co-Investigator for the “Services for Children of All Abilities ...

Supporting Kentucky’s Child Care Programs

Two young preschool-aged boys working with a teacher on a puzzle.
As part of Kentucky’s response to COVID-19, up to 38,000 Kentucky childcare providers will complete mandatory training to fulfill requirements to re-open their programs. Child ...

Mary Howard selected a Children’s Mental Health Champion

boy in wheat field with sun shining brightly
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) with support from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has selected Mary Howard, HDI Research and Development ...

Eagle Scout Project Supports Alternative Communication

Young man with brown hair and beard wearing a black coat and brown flannel shirt seated at a library table in front of books. Multi-colored 3D printed objects are on the table.
Nate Slack, a senior at West Jessamine High School and member of Boy Scout Troop 473 at the Nicholasville United Methodist Church, completed his Eagle ...

Summer Leadership Experience

Woman with long brown hair wearing blue tshirt presenting to a class
The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation invites Kentucky high school students with disabilities entering their ...

Kentucky Post School Outcome Center Begins Data Collection

black graduation caps being thrown in the sunset sky
The UK Human Development Institute (HDI) houses the Kentucky Post School Outcome Center (KyPSO) to increase the capacity of local school districts, teachers, parents, and ...

HDI Awarded Project to Support Children and Families of the Opioid Epidemic

b/w photo of infant with black hair
The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) has been selected as a primary lead program for Project Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic ...

Administration for Community Living funds Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities

Pregnant woman with toddler on a beach
The Administration for Community Living has awarded the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities a $1.5 million grant to lead eight national partners, ...

HDI partnership receives AUCD grant to support Kentucky families

Woman in black dress
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) has awarded the UK Human Development Institute (HDI) the Innovative Community of Practice (CoP) on Parenting, Behavioral ...

HDI Reaches Notable Milestone with 100 Online Courses!

Computer with HDI Learning on it
HDI has reached a notable milestone of 100 online courses, including 4 in development! HDI launched online learning initiative for early childhood in 2004 with ...

Latest Fund for Excellence Awards: March 2019

Mother and father with a baby with Down syndrome
The Human Development Institute (HDI) established the Fund for Excellence for the development of innovative programs, services or products to address the needs of individuals ...

HDI Projects for Education & an Insider Perspective from Mike Abell: Part 2

Four female students working together, including one with Down syndrome.
by Amanda Corbin Innovations in Education For students age three to 21, in both special education and general education, we are already seeing innovation in ...

HDI Projects for Education & an Insider Perspective from Mike Abell: Part 1

Photo of 4 girls with their arms each other at school, including one girl with Down syndrome.
Amanda Kelley Corbin Dr. Mike Abell has worked in special education since 1991 and has experience with students with disabilities from preschool to post-secondary transition ...

Supported Training Experiences Post-Secondary (STEPS) Helps Students with Disabilities Thrive in College

Five STEPS students sitting on a wall.
by Amanda Corbin The Supported Training Experiences Post-Secondary (STEPS) case study project provides leadership skill-building opportunities for college freshmen with disabilities who participated in the ...

Fall Seminar: School Bullying, Students with Disabilities, and School Safety

Girls at elementary school, including student with Down syndrome
“If it takes a village to raise a child, then it may take a village to help prevent and eliminate bullying of our children. Bullying ...

HDI Speakers Featured at Post-Secondary Education Workshop in Louisville

Emma Keyser and Brooke Wray
On Thursday, October 11,  HDI's Teresa Belluscio and her two STEPS students, Emma Keyser and Brooke Wray, co-presented at a "Build Your Future" workshop at ...

Fund for Excellence Awarded for Teacher Effectiveness Study

Two young preschool-aged boys working with a teacher on a puzzle.
We’re excited to share that HDI is offering a Fund for Excellence grant this year entitled “Teacher Effectiveness Pilot,” led by Dr. Caroline Gooden, Growing Together ...

HDI and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) Work to Create School Ready Libraries

Photo of two children playing together at the library.
By Mary Howard and Stephanie Meredith HDI and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) have worked for the past three years to prepare ...

KentuckyWorks Post-Secondary Community Conversation

Men with Down syndrome at work.
by Amanda Corbin Nearly 100 people attended a community conversation on May 21 for self-advocates, families, and professionals to discuss how to increase post-secondary opportunities ...

Research Brief Winter 2018

Photo of girl with Down syndrome and friend eating ice-cream.
A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Peer Networks and Peer Support Arrangements in Project Pilot Schools by Patti Logsdon, Mark Samudre, & Harold Kleinert Photo ...