Community Inclusion

06/19/2026

✊🏾 CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH: FREEDOM, REFLECTION, & TRUE INCLUSION ✨

Today, we pause to honor Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, major general orders were read in Galveston, Texas, finally bringing the news of freedom to enslaved Black Americans, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today is about more than just looking back. It is about recognizing that true liberation and community inclusion are deeply intertwined.

True inclusion means:
🔹 Breaking down systemic barriers that limit equity and opportunity.
🔹 Listening to, elevating, and centering Black voices, leaders, and advocates.
🔹 Ensuring that every individual in our community has the autonomy, dignity, and support to live a fully self-determined life.

Today, we celebrate the profound resilience, culture, and structural contributions of Black Americans. Tomorrow, and every day after, we continue the shared work of building a community where "inclusion" isn't just a goal—it is a lived reality for everyone.

How are you honoring Juneteenth in your local community today? Let us know in the comments. 👇🏾

06/19/2026

We know that true equity means ensuring everyone has access to culturally affirming resources that honor their unique experiences. 🖤✨

This Juneteenth, we want to point you to an incredible resource guide from Mental Health America. They have compiled a vital list of Black-led mental health organizations conducting groundbreaking work to support the emotional and psychological well-being of Black communities.

👇 Check out their original post/hub linked below to find, support, and amplify these incredible organizations today and every day!

🔗 View MHA’s Full Resource Hub: https://mhanational.org/resources/communities-african-descent/

Today is !

The holiday, which originated in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This day represents freedom and justice for Black Americans and serves as an opportunity for all of us to educate ourselves about the continued impact of trauma caused by slavery.

Today, we’re focusing on uplifting Black voices in mental health by highlighting Black-led mental health organizations. We hope you’ll celebrate Juneteenth by supporting their work. ♥️

AAKOMA PROJECT
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)
Black Girls Smile Inc.
Black Men Heal
Black Mental Health Alliance for Education & Consultation, Inc.
Black Mental Wellness
Call Blackline (www.callblackline.com | 1-800-604-5841)
The Loveland Foundation
Therapy For Black Girls
TherapyForBlackMen.org

Find more resources on Black and African American mental health at https://mhanational.org/reso.../communities-african-descent/

06/18/2026

💡 BEYOND A SINGLE CLINIC: PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID

As an organization dedicated to community inclusion, our eyes are always on the horizon. We are committed to being the strongest advocates possible for individuals with disabilities—not just for what they need today, but for what will sustain them for the rest of their lives.

Right now, that future is facing its most significant challenge in years.

Recently, the Kentucky General Assembly passed sweeping overhauls to our state's Medicaid program under House Bill 2. We aren't just looking at minor policy shifts; we are seeing a structural reduction in how healthcare is funded, managed, and delivered to our most vulnerable neighbors.

The most immediate, devastating sign of this systemic pullback is happening right now at the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville, which is facing a massive budget cut that threatens vital dental and specialized medical services for over 1,000 patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).

🛑 THE BIG PICTURE: WHY THIS IMPACTS EVERYONE
A threat to specialized care for one of us is a threat to the quality of life for all of us. When the state alters Medicaid structures, introduces stricter eligibility barriers, and slashes funding for dedicated facilities, the entire safety net frays.

🔹 The Loss of Expertise: For many families, specialized clinics are the ONLY places where individuals with ID/DD receive care from professionals who understand complex sensory, physical, and behavioral needs.
🔹 The Ripple Effect: When specialized Medicaid services disappear, families are forced to travel hours for basic care, face impossible wait times, or go without routine exams entirely.
🔹 Systemic Strain: Delayed diagnoses and untreated medical conditions lead to worsening health, unnecessary suffering, and avoidable medical crises—which ultimately drive up healthcare costs for the entire state.

This is not simply a fiscal policy issue. It is a human issue. It is about protecting the dignity, health, safety, and quality of life of Kentuckians with disabilities who deserve access to compassionate, specialized medical care as a fundamental right.

📢 HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY
We need our collective voice to be louder than the budget cuts. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to protect Kentucky Medicaid funding and restore critical services for the disability community.

➡️ Call the Legislative Message Line: 1-800-372-7181 (Leave a message for your local State Representative and Senator).

➡️ Attend In-Person Advocacy: Join us at the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, June 24, at 1:00 PM in Room 154 of the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

➡️ Review the Materials: legislature.ky.gov/Committees/Pages/

➡️ Watch from Home: Can't make it to Frankfort? Watch the live stream here: legislature.ky.gov/Cookie/PIO/Pages/Live-Streams.aspx

We are keeping a close watch on these Medicaid shifts, and we will not stop speaking up. Please join us in making sure our state leaders understand that specialized healthcare is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. 🤝✨

06/18/2026

Strategic planning is about more than setting goals; it's about creating amazing opportunities and building a brighter future for the individuals and families we serve.

As our leadership team came together this week, our conversations centered around one question: How can we continue advocating for you, expanding access to quality supports, and creating more opportunities for people to live, work, and thrive in their communities?

The future is full of possibilities, and we're committed to ensuring individuals and families have the resources, support, and partnerships they need to achieve their goals.

Advocating for you. Creating amazing opportunities. Building a brighter future—together.

06/15/2026

Greetings from Louisville! 👋

Our leadership team is thrilled to be at the Kentucky Behavior Institute conference today! We are spending the next couple of days diving into evidence-based strategies, attending clinical sessions, and collaborating with fellow professionals to better meet the emotional and behavioral health needs of individuals across our community.

Representing us today are Brittany Parsons (Director of Business Development), Paige Rayburn (Waiver Director), and Amber Riddle (Access to Care Director).

Huge thanks to KY Council for Children with Behavior Disorders- CCBD - for hosting such an impactful event. We’re excited to bring these insights back home!

06/15/2026

Congratulations, Class of 2026! ✨

We are incredibly proud of your dedication and achievements:
Naomi, Cameron, Casey, Eon, & Richard

We can't wait to see the amazing things you'll do next! 🎉

06/12/2026

Time to settle a highly important, totally serious debate. 🤔👇

Think about it: it’s a filling enveloped in dough.

So... Is a Pop-Tart a calzone or a ravioli? Are we dealing with breakfast pasta or a miniature Italian turnover here?

Cast your vote in the comments and give us your best defense! 👇

06/11/2026

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes to keep our participants healthy, safe, and fully supported? Our incredible medical team works around the clock to provide top-tier care, coordination, and education for our entire community.

Take a look at their core responsibilities below to see just a few ways they make a difference every single day:
• Medication Management – Conducting monthly audits and precise tracking to ensure 100% accuracy.
• 24/7 On-Call Support – Offering dedicated team availability for emergencies and peace of mind whenever it's needed.
• Medical Care Coordination – Handling the heavy lifting of scheduling appointments and managing vital medical records.
• Patient Home Visits – Providing specialized, compassionate, home-based care directly to our participants.
• DDID Compliance – Ensuring our agency strictly adheres to all KY DDID rules and regulations for top-quality service.
• Medication Administration – Leading the classroom to teach and certify all of our new hires for safe care.

We are so deeply grateful for their expertise, round-the-clock dedication, and the immense value they bring to our participants, families, and staff. Thank you for all that you do Ali Zornes-Ezeagabu, Courtney Harris, and Toni Mullins ❤️

06/11/2026

True independence means taking charge of your own safety and peace of mind! 🚙✨

As a licensed driver and her own guardian, Brooke Schmidt was already used to navigating the roads. However, she wanted to better understand the exact process of a traffic stop to help ease some lingering anxiety about what to do if she’s ever pulled over.

Because she took the initiative to ask, we teamed up with the wonderful folks at the Madison County Sheriff's Office to set up a mock traffic stop. This hands-on practice gave her a clear, step-by-step understanding of what's involved, completely demystifying the process and lowering her anxiety.

We are so proud of Brooke for actively seeking out the knowledge she needs to feel confident and secure behind the wheel! A huge thank you to the Madison County Sheriff's Office for partnering with us to make this safe, educational experience happen. 💙👮‍♂️