Visually Impaired/First Two Years
Provides technical assistance to programs, evaluation and consultation, and training in services for children with visual impairments and their families. Under contract with Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Inc., CHFS seeks to address many of the service needs of this low incidence population.
Contact: Melinda Adkins Phone: (502) 636-3207
1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, KY 40218
Kentucky Assistive Technology Service Network
This project will provide the following assistive technology support service components to First Steps providers and families.
Lending Library of Assistive Technology
Includes assistive technology devices, augmentative communication devices and adapted toys located at all point of entry sites and the three technology sites. Assistive technology centers will assist in appropriate selection of equipment to suit consumer need.
Catalog of Lending Library Equipment
A comprehensive listing of all assistive devices and adapted toys available at each lending library site. Catalogs are available at each point of entry site and at participating assistive technology centers.
Listing also is available as a computer-based database and is online through assistive technology users' group.
Resource Kits
Kits are made up of items that will facilitate the decision-making process in determining appropriate assistive technology for infants and toddlers. These are available at each point of entry site with trained staff.
Training and Technical Support
Provides essential technology training for service providers and consumers. This fiscal year regional workshops were held on assisted technology for infants and toddlers. These workshops were geared toward primary service coordinators, parents, developmental interventionists, speech/language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and others interested in assistive technology for infants and toddlers. Each participant was provided with hands-on experience in addressing the needs of infants and toddlers through assistive technology.
Contact: EnTech (502) 992-2448 or 800-896-8941, ext. 2648
851 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40203
Kentucky Transition Project
The Kentucky Transition Project provides consultation, training and technical assistance to early intervention and preschool programs to ensure the effective transition from early intervention into preschool and preschool to kindergarten. This project has published several handbooks, including resource guides for parents - A Step-by-Step Family Resource for Transition into Preschool; Access: A Guide to Supplemental Services for Families of Young Children; and Families and the Transition Process.
Primary Contact: Beth Rous, Director, STEPS
Human Development Institute
126 Mineral Industries Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506-0051
(859) 257-9115
E-Mail: brous@ihdi.uky.edu
University Preparation Project
Support was given from the Preschool Division and First Steps to nine universities for the development of their interdisciplinary early childhood certification curriculum and to provide for recruitment.