KENTUCKY EASTER SEAL SOCIETY INC DBA EASTERSEALS BLUEGRASS

KESS DBA EASTER SEALS CARDINAL HILL'S (KESS) PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN ADULT DAY HEALTH PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES DAILY PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND MEDICAL CARE BY LICENSED NURSING STAFF FOR ADULTS FROM AGE 18 AND UP WITH A VARIETY OF DIAGNOSIS. OUR CLIENTS COULD NOT SAFELY STAY ALONE, AND OUR PROGRAMS ALLOW CAREGIVERS TO PURSUE A CAREER OR CARE FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. SOME OF KESS' ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MIRACLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, A TRIP TO THE MOVIES, GARDENING, OR A SHOPPING TRIP TO PRACTICE MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS, THAT ALLOW THEM TO INTERACT WITH PEERS, LEARN, ENJOY FRIENDSHIPS, AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A DETAILED CONTINUATION OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. KESS' ADAPTIVE RECREATION PROGRAM BRINGS ADAPTIVE KAYAKING, ADAPTIVE SKIING, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, ADAPTIVE GARDENING, SLED HOCKEY, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE A MORE FULFILLING LIFE. OUR STAFF ALSO GO INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO HELP BOTH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND WITHOUT GET A BETTER APPRECIATION FOR THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED POPULATION, AND ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION.CREATIVE BEGINNINGS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROVIDES INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE FOR CHILDREN FROM 6 WEEKS TO KINDERGARTEN. OUR TEACHING METHODS GIVE ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS AND DIFFERENCES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD ENROLLED. WE STRIVE FOR A BLEND OF ROUGHLY 25% CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE DESIRED PERCENTAGE MIRRORS THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT A "NATURAL ENVIRONMENT" FOR LEARNING. THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES TO INCLUSIVE SETTINGS OF CHILDREN WITH OR WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS AS THEY LEARN FROM THEIR TYPICAL PEERS. THIS ALSO FOSTERS UNDERSTANDING IN THE TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILD. FURTHERMORE, THIS MODEL IS HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND A TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILD SO THEY ARE ONLY WORKING WITH ONE FACILITY.SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - INCLUDES CAMP CREATIVE, A SUMMER DAY CARE EXTENSION OF THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM TO SERVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; AND HORSEABILITY, A PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE, WHICH OFFERS DAY CARE AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HORSES AND HORSEBACK RIDING FOR CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WITH BOTH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL NEEDS.PEDIATRIC THERAPY - PROVIDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND SPEECH THERAPY FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES FROM INFANCY THROUGH ADOLESCENCE, THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSES COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD. THE THERAPISTS WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE CHILD'S FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEM, MEDICAL TEAM, EDUCATIONAL TEAM AND OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS AS NEEDED TO ENSURE A WELL-ROUNDED PROGRAM.