KYLEND Trainee Spotlight: Gabriella Martin

Martin is in her fourth year of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Eastern Kentucky University with a goal of becoming a licensed Psychologist. She has a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and is currently a Temporary Licensed Psychological Associate for the state of Kentucky, providing therapeutic and assessment services. She has extensive history working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly those with a diagnosis of autism. 

She has a passion for conducting neuropsychological assessments with medically complex individuals who have or are suspected of having autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Martin is currently enrolled as a trainee in the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s (HDI) Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a five year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. 

These programs share the overall mission of improving the health of infants, children and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. LEND aims to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis, as well as support to individuals and families. 

HDI is currently accepting applications across disciplines for the 2022—2023 academic year. A total of nine trainees will be accepted in the LEND fellowship. The fellowship includes leadership coursework and an array of clinical and community placements each semester. Trainees commit to 15 hours of LEND activities each week.

Applications for the 2022—2023 academic year must be submitted on or before March 4th, 2022. Complete the online application here: www.uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5vAMf2dLWxdaRV4 

Finalists will be interviewed before the selection of nine trainees for a nine month fellowship. All applicants will be notified by April 15th, 2022. Trainees must be one of the following: 

  • Enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate training program in a LEND discipline
  • A family member of an individual with an intellectual/developmental disability
  • An individual with an intellectual or developmental disability

Visit www.hdi.uky.edu/kylend to learn more and apply online. Contact the Kentucky LEND Project Director caroline.gooden@uky.edu with any questions or to schedule an informational session for your department and interested students!

3 people standing in front of book stacks holding books

Kentucky awarded an OSEP Educational Leadership Grant

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 (KDE) focuses on leadership development, recruitment and retention.  In partnership with UK’s Human Development Institute, Kentucky’s Part C, Early Intervention Services, Morehead State University, Western Kentucky University, and Murray State University, the Kentucky Parent Training and Information (PTI) center along with regional and National Technical Assistance Centers, the Kentucky LEADS Academy will address three goals: Goal 1(Recruit):  Increase the number of persons who attain the state’s initial level of Advanced Educational Leader- Director of Special Education certification to ensure that there is an adequate pipeline of eligible applicants to serve as state, regional, and local special education leaders to promote high expectations and improve early childhood and educational outcomes for children with disabilities and their families, Goal 2 (Retain): Increase and nurture the number of persons whose job description includes supervising, directing, administering, or coordinating special education programs who have attained the state’s highest level of Advanced Educational Leader- Director of Special Education certification, Goal 3 (Increase Capacity): Expand and enhance the existing state network to ensure that state,  regional, and local leaders have the knowledge, skills, and access necessary to improve early childhood and educational outcomes for children with disabilities and their families through the systems that serve them. 

Contact Dr. Mike Abell at mike.abell@uky.edu for more information.

black graduation caps being thrown in the sunset sky

Kentucky Post School Outcome Center Begins Data Collection

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 adult service providers to provide exemplary transition planning and increase student success. This is accomplished through the collection and reporting of data related to post school plans and outcomes, and the provision of training and technical assistance.

The Kentucky Department of Education contracts with KyPSO to collect secondary data about students with disabilities to identify factors that may contribute to successful transition planning and outcomes. Data are collected through the “Youth One Year Out (YOYO)” former student interview. The YOYO includes a series of questions about post school employment and education, the student’s personal experiences, involvement with other agencies, living arrangements, and community engagement. The KyPSO staff collect and analyze the data to create reports for district, regional and state-level staff.

Visit www.kypso.org or follow us on and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KyPSO1 to learn more about KyPSO and its resources.

Project Contact:
Tony Lobianco, PhD
Tony.Lobianco@uky.edu

Four female students working together, including one with Down syndrome.

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

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 public education. Dr. Abell predicts these innovations will only increase as time goes on. Examples of some of these innovations include online learning, computer-based remediation, mobile technology, virtual reality, higher education for students with disabilities (SWD), and more affordable higher education. Continue reading

Photo of 4 girls with their arms each other at school, including one girl with Down syndrome.

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

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. He has worked on projects dealing with behavior supports and behavior intervention programs in schools, and he has worked to help school districts incorporate assistive technology and universal design for learning principles in classrooms. Continue reading