KATC Parent Summit Partnership in Hazard and London, KY

By Heidi Cooley-Cook

The Kentucky Autism Training Center partnered with the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, and the Office of Autism to host a 2-day Parent Summit in Hazard April 15 & 16.  Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals came from all over the eastern portion of the Commonwealth to participate in the event – Strategies & Resources for Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond. Participants noted that it was a ‘Great Summit Overall’ and that they loved learning about Supported Employment, Meeting Sensory Needs and Increasing Communication and Appropriate Behaviors in the Home.

Following the success of the event in Hazard, the KATC was asked to assist with the planning and organization of an event in London.  Together the KATC, the Southeast South Central Educational Cooperative, the Office of Autism, Action for Autism, and Kentucky SPIN hosted Partnering for Exceptional Outcomes – 2 half days of trainings/resource gathering.  The dates and times for this event coincided with a local summer camp so that parents and caregivers could attend while their child/children were off having fun!  Again, participants were able to learn from Roundtable Hosts and breakout sessions.  Attendees noted that they loved the networking with other participants and learning from the Roundtable Hosts and the presenters of the breakout sessions.

Did you miss out on these training opportunities?  The Kentucky Autism Training Center is part of the Kentucky Statewide Family Support Coalition – led by The Arc of Kentucky and the Coalition is organizing 5 Regional Resource Fairs.  These will be FREE and offered in Elizabethtown (June 27), Lexington (June 30), Paducah (July 18), Owensboro (July 19), and Grayson/Ashland (July 26).  The format will be very similar to the events the previously mentioned events.  We welcome you to join us for an afternoon of resource gathering, networking, and learning.

12:00 – 1:15 pm          Exhibits & Lunch

1:15 – 2:45 pm            Breakout Sessions

Futures Planning or Behavior in the Home/Community

2:45 – 3:00 pm            Break

3:00 – 4:30 pm            Resource Roundtables

4:30 – 5:00 pm            Networking

Please do not forget to register for the Regional Resource Fair as lunch will be provided.  You may register by calling The Arc of Kentucky 1-800-281-1272 or 502-875-5225