The Problem
Many people with developmental disabilities and their families don’t know what services are available or how to access them. Information is often spread across agencies and hard to find, making it difficult for individuals to get the support they need to live, work, and participate in their communities.
Action
The Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities connects people to services through multiple approaches. The Kentucky Partners in Policymaking (KPIP) program brings in at least 16 state agencies and providers each year to share clear information about available supports and resources and how to access them. The Council maintains an easy-to-use, online resource guide that 144 people used. The council shares information through its Exceptional Family publication. 20,000 physical copies are distributed in English and 2,000 in Spanish with availability online and to date, each issue has over 6,000 online access points. The Council supports local leadership—a KPIP graduate partnered with providers to create a community-specific resource guide, two graduates created non-profits in their rural communities to help parents through the IEP process and transition services, and 13 graduates who have been appointed to boards and commissions.
Results
Individuals and families now have clearer, more direct pathways to services. KPIP participants are not only gaining knowledge but also sharing it with others in their communities, expanding the impact. Local resource guides and statewide tools are helping more people find support faster, make informed decisions, and build stronger connections to services.
Unique Role of the Council
The Council turns information into access. By combining leadership development, trusted partnerships, and practical tools, the Council ensures people with developmental disabilities and their families can find and use the services they need to thrive.