KY-SPIN, Inc.

Executive Director: Paulette Logsdon

Service Description: Provide training, information and support to people with disabilities, their parents and families; and information on all types of disabilities and topics for all age groups.

Mission Statement: The mission of KY-SPIN, Inc. is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to effectively advocate for and access needed information, resources and support networks in order to enhance the quality of their lives.

Membership Fee: None

Eligibility Requirements: None

Area Served: Kentucky

Hours of Operation/Schedule: 9:00 to 3:0o p.m.

Services Offered: Training, information and support

History: KY-SPIN, Inc. (Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network, Inc.) began in 1988, with the receipt of its’ first Parent Training and Information (PTI) grant from the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. That initial grant for three years set in place a statewide center for families of persons of any age with any type of disability. Beginning in 1988 with those funds, and the desire of one parent to help another, the organization has grown by leaps and bounds. Staffed by parents or family members of persons with disabilities, SPIN PTI, is unique in the nationwide network of over 70 Parent Training Projects in the United States and its’ territories. On a state level, no other parent oriented organization exists to meet the needs of families of persons of any age with any type disability. Since it’s beginning, well over 10,,000 parents and professionals have attended SPIN workshops each year. Information is provided to thousands of others, through mail-outs and use of a nationwide toll-free phone line. KY-SPIN, Inc. is a 501 C (3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting programs which will enable persons with disabilities and their families to enhance their quality of life. The purpose of this organization is to help ensure that families have the assistance they need in order to effectively help their children with disabilities achieve their dreams in all areas of life. While the initial focus of KY-SPIN, Inc. has been training and information dissemination, we realize that the needs of families with disabilities are diverse and encompass every life domain. Disability within the family has a direct impact on the entire family, including siblings, grandparents, and extended family members, and crosses all life domains. No other organization in Kentucky looks at the needs of the entire family. We are dedicated to making life better for those families of persons with disabilities. KY-SPIN, Inc. currently operates several programs for families: SPIN PTI (SPIN Parent Training & Information Project), the Kentucky Family Support Project, P.A.S.S. (Parents Accessing Systems of Support), collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education’s State Improvement Grant (S.I.G.), and collaboration with Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs . Through these established family to family networks, training is made available and information is shared regarding best practices with the ultimate goal of fostering cooperative relationships among families and professionals and connecting families to other organizations representing individuals with disabilities. Parents and professionals are offered a variety of workshops of interest to families with children with disabilities. These include Special Education Law, Communication Skills, IEP (Individual Education Programs), Stress Management, Building Self-Esteem, Early Childhood and Transition. Specialized workshops meeting the needs of specific disabilities or other requests from families are also available. These include Understanding Your Child’s Disability, SSI, Recreation, Health Issues and Estate Planning.

Detailed Organization Information:

www.kyspin.com