The Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership will be hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, May 26 at 2:00 PM. Next Steps Beyond the CTP Experience, A resource webinar for CTP students, Families and CTP Programs. Webinar Details Tuesday, May 26, 20263:00 PM Speakers Exploring services that pertain to CTP students and familiesJonathan White – Assistant Director of VR Field Services Living independentlyMegan Kuhlwein- Executive Director, Statewide Independent Living Council Competitive integrated employmentKatie Whaley – Chair, Kentucky Employment First Council Click here to register

In this episode, Brooklynn interviews Pam Dorrel, the Community Manager of the Lexington Writer’s Room, a coworking space for active writers in the Lexington area. Transcript [Narrator] Hello and welcome to the Community Spotlight Podcast. Each episode highlights something interesting in the community of Lexington or surrounding areas of Kentucky. The podcast was started by students in the College and Career Studies program at the University of Kentucky. Thanks for listening. [Brooklynn] My name is Brooklynn and I am going to interview Pam Dorrel, the community manager for the Lexington Writer’s Room. Hi, Pam, how are you doing today? [Pam] Hi. I’m doing great. [Brooklynn] All right. So my first question is going to be: So, I got to visit the Lexington Writer’s Room recently. And it is a really cool space. Can you talk a little bit about what the organization is and how it got started? [Pam] Well,

In Kentucky, 19% of students with disabilities, across disability categories, enrolled in a college or university in the year following their exit from high school. For students with an intellectual disability, it was 9%. (2024 Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center) The Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership (KSHEP) is a network of Institutions of Higher Education across the state offering higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as CTP programs. Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs support students with intellectual disabilities (ID) who want to continue academic or career and technical instruction at an institution of higher education to better prepare for competitive integrated employment and independent living. Before 2020, when the Kentucky General Assembly started investing dollars for programslike CTPs, Kentucky had only 3 U.S. Department of Education approved CTP programs. Since 2020, Kentucky has doubled its number of CTPs. Application & Enrollment 164 Applicants 48%

Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs support students with intellectual disabilities to attend a college or university while gaining life and job skills. Learn MoreVisit https://kshep.hdiuky.org/Scan the QR code to the left

The College and Career Studies (CCS) program would like to spotlight Xin Ni this month. Xin is in her second year in the CCS program. Xin’s main passion is drawing comics. She creates her own comic called DinoFriends, which she posts regularly on Instagram. With this comic, she has made a whole world of colorful characters who explore various aspects of life together. Xin is taking three classes this semester: Writing Comics, First Aid and Emergency Care, and Practicum in Universal Design. In all of these classes, she is using her art skills to learn and share more about those topics. For Xin’s practicum project this semester, she is working with the Graphic Medicine Resource Lab to explore how comics can make healthcare topics more accessible to a wider audience. Graphic medicine is also a field that examines people’s lived experiences to understand health issues better and help improve outcomes

As students with disabilities approach the end of high school, families often face a critical question: What comes next? For many, the path to independence, employment, and further education can seem uncertain. That’s where Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTPs) come in—offering a bridge to brighter futures. What Are CTPs? CTPs are higher education programs specifically designed for students with intellectual disabilities. These programs, hosted by six Kentucky colleges and universities, provide students with the opportunity to continue their education while gaining essential life and job skills. CTPs are approved by the U.S. Department of Education: Students enrolled in these programs may be eligible for federal financial aid, even if they are not pursuing a traditional degree. Students with ID enrolled in an approved CTP can access federal financial aid for which they qualify and state financial aid from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and

This document provides information on student financial assistance.

The SEPSEA conference is an excellent opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about inclusive postsecondary education programs. You can attend sessions with students, alums, and professionals to learn more about what different people are doing to increase access to learning, engagement, and advocacy in college and university settings. If you are not a member of SEPSEA, you can also find out more information about membership – as well as details about this year’s conference – at this link: https://sepsea.org/sepsea-annual-conference/#

Exciting Opportunity for Students with Down Syndrome: Apply for Ruby’s Rainbow College Scholarships by April 15! Are you a student with Down syndrome dreaming of attending college? Ruby’s Rainbow is here to help you achieve your higher education goals! Ruby’s Rainbow offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support students with Down syndrome in their pursuit of post-secondary education. Who Can Apply? To be eligible for a Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship, you must: Have Down syndrome Be at least 18 years old by August 1 of the application year Plan to enroll or continue enrollment in a post-secondary program that enhances your life through employment skills, independent living, or other interests Provide copies of your high school diploma or equivalent, latest high school transcript, or proof of acceptance to or current enrollment in a post-secondary program How to Apply The application process is designed to help you showcase your personality, achievements,