Puzzle Pieces

06/23/2026

We're proud to celebrate Puzzle Pieces Board Member Katie Case and the incredible leadership she is bringing to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Katie's journey with the Games began as Deputy to the Senior Vice President of the Games, a role that helps support the planning, organization, and ex*****on of one of the largest sporting events in the country.

As her responsibilities have grown, so has her impact. Katie now also serves as the Venue Operations Manager for both volleyball and gymnastics, overseeing the behind-the-scenes logistics and day-to-day operations that help ensure athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators have an exceptional experience.

The Special Olympics movement creates opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities, build confidence, and experience the power of inclusion through sport. We are honored to have a Puzzle Pieces board member helping make that experience possible on a national stage.

Thank you, Katie, for your dedication to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities both here in our community and across the country. We are lucky to have your leadership, passion, and heart serving Puzzle Pieces.

06/22/2026

A trip to the bowling alley is always a summer favorite.

For our younger clients, bowling is more than a fun afternoon with friends. It creates opportunities to practice taking turns, encouraging others, following directions, handling wins and losses, and navigating a community setting—all while having a great time.

Summer programming gives our clients the chance to enjoy experiences they look forward to all year, but we're also intentional about helping them maintain the skills they've worked so hard to build during the school year.

That's the balance we strive for: creating meaningful opportunities for growth while making sure summer still feels like summer.

06/19/2026

Learning doesn't just happen in a classroom.

Our younger clients recently traveled to Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, where they had the opportunity to experience animals and habitats they may never have encountered otherwise. From kangaroos to colorful exotic birds, the day was filled with discovery, questions, and hands-on learning.

Community outings like these help bring lessons to life while encouraging curiosity about the world around us. They also provide opportunities to practice communication, social interaction, and flexibility in new environments.

06/18/2026

Today, I want to share some important information with our Puzzle Pieces family, our team, and our community.

This post is not intended to create fear, panic, or outrage. It is not a call to action. It is simply my commitment to keep you informed, educated, and aware of changes that impact organizations like Puzzle Pieces and the families we serve.

Recently, we received notification that Medicaid reimbursement rates for the services we provide will be reduced by 4% beginning August 1st.

There has already been a lot of conversation about Medicaid cuts, and there will undoubtedly be much more in the coming weeks and months. The reality is that changes at the federal level have reduced future Medicaid funding and increased financial pressures on state Medicaid programs. States are then tasked with making difficult decisions about how to manage those reductions and budget challenges. In Kentucky, one of those decisions has resulted in a 4% reduction across all the service lines we provide.

What does that mean for Puzzle Pieces?

Based on our current proposed budget, this reduction is expected to impact our annual revenue by approximately $270,000.

That is a significant number.

However, I want our families, our staff, and our supporters to know something important: Puzzle Pieces has always been a good steward of the resources entrusted to us. We have worked hard to build diverse revenue streams, think creatively, and plan for uncertainty because we know how important these services are to the individuals and families who depend on them.

As a community and business leader, I understand that policymakers are often faced with difficult financial decisions and competing priorities. My hope is that future conversations around Medicaid funding become more strategic and targeted, rather than relying on broad reductions that impact essential services and reimbursement rates that are already stretched thin.

I also wanted to get ahead of what I know will soon become a flood of headlines, social media posts, and understandable concerns from families. Those concerns are valid. Raising a child or supporting an adult with disabilities in Kentucky comes with challenges, uncertainties, and fears that many people cannot fully comprehend.

As an Executive Director, I want you to hear directly from me:

I will do everything in my power to lead us through this.

We will find a way.

It may mean creating new fundraising opportunities. It may mean developing innovative programs and services. It may mean finding creative partnerships and new solutions. But my promise is that I will carry the burden of figuring it out before I ever allow it to impact the heart of what we do.

I believe deeply in the work happening inside these walls every single day.

I believe the individuals we serve deserve every opportunity to live meaningful, connected, and fulfilling lives.

I believe our team deserves more recognition and support for the life-changing work they do.

And regardless of the obstacles placed in front of us, our mission remains the same.

The work will remain our focus.
The people will remain our purpose.
The community will remain our responsibility.

This announcement also impacts many of our sister organizations throughout Kentucky and beyond. I am thinking about them, praying for them, and cheering them on as they navigate their own difficult decisions and adjustments. We are stronger when we support one another, and I am always willing to have conversations about how we can get through these challenges together.

If there is any call to action in this message, it is simply this:

Let's continue taking care of each other.

We cannot always rely on systems or government programs to meet every need. Strong communities are built when neighbors, families, businesses, faith communities, and organizations come together to support one another, especially during challenging times.

As a sister of someone with disabilities, it is hard not to feel emotional when something I have fought so hard for is impacted by circumstances beyond my control.

But one thing being a special needs sister has taught me is resilience.

Every special needs family knows what resilience looks like.
Every special needs family knows what resilience feels like.
And every special needs family understands what it means to keep moving forward even when the path becomes harder.

I don't have all the answers today.

But I do have the heart to keep going.
I have the faith to believe we will find a way.
And I have the vulnerability to tell you that organizations like Puzzle Pieces will need support, encouragement, and prayers as we navigate what comes next.

To our families: your children and loved ones remain our priority.

To our team: thank you for continuing to show up every day with compassion, commitment, and purpose.

To our supporters: thank you for believing in our mission and standing beside us through every season.

We aren't going anywhere.

The road ahead may require creativity. It may require sacrifice. It may require us to think differently than we have before.

But if there is one thing I know about Puzzle Pieces, it is that we were built on resilience long before this announcement arrived.

And together, we will continue finding a way forward.

06/18/2026

Giving back is an important part of what we do at Puzzle Pieces.

A few of our summer program participants recently spent the morning at the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County helping package meals for local seniors. They worked hard, stayed focused, and played a small part in making sure members of our community receive the support they need.

We talk a lot about community inclusion, but inclusion isn't just about participating in the community. It's also about contributing to it. Volunteer opportunities like this help our clients build confidence, learn responsibility, develop workplace skills, and see the impact they can have on others.

Our clients have so much to offer, and we love creating opportunities for them to share their time, talents, and hearts with the community around them.

Thank you to the Senior Community Center for welcoming our group. We are grateful for community partners who see the value and potential in every person.

06/17/2026

Finding meaningful employment is about more than filling a position—it's about finding the right fit.

When Alyssa began her job search, we focused on finding a place where she could contribute, build relationships, and be successful. Through conversations with the team at Briarpatch, a customized role was created that supports the restaurant while matching Alyssa's strengths and needs.

Each afternoon between lunch and dinner service, Alyssa helps prepare the restaurant for the evening rush. She folds linens, cleans the salad bar glass, wipes down dining room mirrors, sweeps, and vacuums. These tasks help take pressure off servers and bussers so they can focus on other responsibilities when guests arrive.

One of the things that makes this job especially meaningful is the family connection. Alyssa's grandfather is a manager at Briarpatch, and her sister works there as a hostess. As someone who values family deeply, having the opportunity to work alongside the people she loves has made this experience even more rewarding.

Success didn't happen by accident. Before starting at Briarpatch, Alyssa practiced many of these same tasks through mock work experiences at Puzzle Pieces. Together, we created opportunities to build skills that would transfer to a restaurant setting, including rolling silverware, cleaning tables, vacuuming, and cleaning mirrors. Visual supports helped increase independence and quality, allowing Alyssa to gain confidence before stepping into her role.

The result? It took Alyssa just one day to learn her work routine.

This is what customized employment looks like—finding the intersection between an employer's needs and an individual's strengths, creating opportunities where everyone benefits.

06/16/2026

People often ask how they can advocate for individuals with disabilities.

This is one of those moments.

For many Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Lee Specialty Clinic is more than a healthcare provider—it's a lifeline. The clinic's specialized staff understand the unique medical, behavioral, communication, and sensory needs of the individuals they serve in ways that traditional healthcare settings often cannot.

The proposed funding cuts threaten access to these critical services and could have lasting impacts on individuals, families, and caregivers across the Commonwealth.

We encourage our community to learn more about this issue, share your concerns, and make your voice heard. Advocacy doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with reading a post, sharing information, contacting decision-makers, and standing alongside families who depend on these services.

When people ask how they can support individuals with disabilities in Kentucky, this is how.

Council Calls for Immediate Reversal of Funding Cuts to Lee Specialty Clinic

The Council on Developmental Disabilities is deeply concerned about the recent funding cuts to Lee Specialty Clinic, a critical provider of specialized medical, dental, behavioral, and therapeutic services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These cuts will leave countless families without access to the trained, knowledgeable professionals they rely on for safe, appropriate, and effective care.

Lee Specialty Clinic is the only facility in Kentucky designed specifically to meet all the complex needs of the IDD population. Their clinicians, therapists, and direct support staff possess highly specialized expertise that is not easily replaced. Families often describe these workers as “unicorns” — uniquely skilled professionals who understand the medical, dental, behavioral, sensory, and communication needs of people with IDD in ways that typical healthcare settings simply cannot.

Once these experts are lost, they cannot be quickly or easily replaced. The state risks dismantling a workforce that took years to build and that families depend on for safe, competent care. Without immediate action, individuals with IDD will face longer wait times, fewer treatment options, and increased risk of crisis or institutionalization.

The Council urges the Cabinet to reverse this decision as soon as possible. Kentucky cannot afford to lose the only specialized multidisciplinary IDD clinic in the state, nor can families bear the burden of navigating complex needs without trained support.

We also call on families, caregivers, and community members to make their voices heard. The IDD community deserves to be valued, protected, and supported — not pushed further to the margins. Decisions of this magnitude must reflect the lived experiences of the people most affected.

The Council remains committed to advocating for equitable, accessible, and specialized care for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We stand with the families who rely on Lee Specialty Clinic and will continue to push for solutions that protect and strengthen the services they depend on.

06/16/2026

One of our favorite parts of summer is exploring the many great resources our community has to offer.

Recently, our clients enjoyed a visit to the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, where they spent time viewing exhibits, discussing different pieces of artwork, and experiencing creativity in a new way.

Community outings like this encourage curiosity, conversation, and lifelong learning while helping our clients connect with the cultural opportunities available right here in Owensboro.

We are grateful to have places like the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art that provide welcoming spaces for exploration, learning, and inspiration.

06/15/2026

At first glance, it may look like a child simply enjoying a swing. But for many children, swinging is doing much more than creating smiles.

Swinging helps children develop balance, coordination, body awareness, and motor skills. It can also support focus, self-regulation, and confidence as children learn to navigate movement and interact with their environment.

For many of the children we serve, activities like swinging can be calming when they're overwhelmed, energizing when they're tired, or simply a way to enjoy the freedom of movement and outdoor play.

That's one reason outdoor activities are such an important part of our programming. Whether it's a swing, a walk around campus, a game with friends, or time exploring nature, these experiences help build skills while supporting physical, social, and emotional development.

Sometimes growth looks like hard work. Sometimes it looks like a smile on a swing.

06/12/2026

Summer may mean a break from school, but for many children, maintaining a routine remains incredibly important.

At Puzzle Pieces, our summer programming helps school-aged clients stay engaged, connected, and learning throughout the summer months. While the schedule may look different from the school year, we intentionally create structured days filled with meaningful activities, community experiences, social opportunities, and skill-building.

Why does routine matter? Consistent routines help reduce anxiety, provide predictability, and create a sense of security. For many children, especially those with autism and other developmental disabilities, sudden changes in structure can be challenging. Maintaining a routine helps support emotional regulation, reinforces learned skills, and makes the transition back to school in the fall much smoother.

Our summer days are designed to balance fun and learning. Whether we're exploring the community, practicing social skills, participating in recreational activities, or working on independence, every experience has a purpose. Clients continue building communication, problem-solving, and daily living skills while making friendships and creating memories along the way.

Summer should be fun—and it should also be a time for continued growth. We're proud to provide a place where our clients can thrive, stay connected, and keep moving forward all year long.