Overview

Protection and Advocacy

The Developmental Disabilities Act, which came into existence in 1975, made it possible for the Governor of each state to designate a specific entity for Protection and Advocacy. The Protection and Advocacy agency in Kentucky was established in 1979. The Governor also provided assurances that the Protection and Advocacy system would remain independent of other service providers/systems.

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy (P&A) has one office, located in Frankfort, comprised of 28 employees, which includes support staff, advocates, and attorneys.

The demand for representation from P & A exceeds financial resources/staff availability; therefore priorities for case acceptance are set each fiscal year. Protection and Advocacy has two consumer advisory bodies – Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) advisory council and Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) advisory board. Both of these councils assist/guide the priority setting process.

P & A holds two public forums each year and solicits written comments from the public throughout the year. In addition, the agency provides information and referral, individual advocacy, systemic and legal advocacy and education.

Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) was authorized by Executive Order of the Governor, in accordance with Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The mission of the KCDD is to create change through visionary leadership and advocacy so that people have choices and control over their own lives.

The KCDD is comprised of 26 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the Governor. The makeup of the KCDD is unique in that 60 percent of the members are individuals with developmental disabilities or are parents or guardians of individuals with disabilities. The remaining members are representatives of each major state agency that serves people with developmental disabilities in Kentucky.

KCDD believes that people with developmental disabilities are citizens with the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens. In an effort to make these rights a reality, the KCDD has chosen to focus on the areas of emphasis of Child Care, Education, Employment Health, Transportation, Quality Assurance, and Formal and Informal Community Supports.

Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute

The Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service, focuses its efforts on improving lifelong opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community.

The Institute provides a strong foundation for more than 30 research, training and service projects. IHDI is a member institution of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a network of interdisciplinary Centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.

Projects within the Institute address a wide range of topics and issues in the areas of Early Care and Education, School Age, Adult Services and Life span topics.

IHDI has a Consumer Advisory Council, composed in the majority of persons with disabilities and family members, who meet four times per year to provide overall guidance to the Institute and to evaluate the impact of the Institute's activities.