Paralysis Resource Center State Pilot Program – Year One: 

        University of Kentucky Human Development Institute

Program Overview

Wellness Edge, operated by the Human Development Institute (HDI) at the University of Kentucky, seeks to build capacity of 

local communities to enhance and facilitate access to recreational programs, so they might effectively

serve individuals with paralysis and their support networks. The project will increase the quality of engagement for 

individuals with paralysis and their support networks, including caregivers, family, and friends in recreational settings, and 

improve health outcomes. 

Wellness Edge specifically targets individuals with paralysis and their support networks in Kentucky’s rural regions, which 

represent 77 percent of the state’s counties. Through this project, the University of Kentucky works with groups who could 

create or expand upon already existing innovative recreational programs to serve individuals with paralysis. 

In Year One of this project, the University of Kentucky provided grants to eight subawardees: the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of 

Paralyzed Veterans of America; Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of 

Parks and Recreation; Community Foundation of Louisville; Fayette County Public Schools; Easter Seals Cardinal Hill; Center 

for Accessible Living; and Bluegrass Tennis Associations. Subawardee initiatives include provision of adaptive recreational 

programming and the purchase of adaptive sports equipment for use in the community.

Administrative Structure 

Three core staff members at HDI lead Wellness Edge: 

· Principal Investigator, who oversees the development 

of the subaward work plans, fiscal administration of the 

subawards, application and review of the subawards, 

and evaluation.

· Project Director and Advocacy Specialist, who 

coordinates technical assistance (TA) activities, 

including monthly TA calls, provides TA on advocacy, 

ensures that sub-awardees can complete their projects 

in a timely manner, and conducts marketing and 

dissemination activities.

· Wellness Specialist, who provides TA on environmental 

barriers and challenges faced by the sub-awardees, 

connects them to local resources, and develops TA 

products.

Additionally, Wellness Edge convened an eight-member 

advisory panel which includes individuals with paralysis, 

support networks, wellness experts, and community 

members. The advisory panel meets quarterly to review 

and select subawardees and provide guidance to project 

staff. 

Technical Assistance Offered

Wellness Edge staff provides TA that centers around 

problem-solving issues related to advocacy and building 

community awareness, as well as recreational strategies 

that can enhance accessibility. TA includes: 

· An initial call to discuss subawardee budget, data 

requirements, and possible TA areas, including 

development of a TA plan and activity timeline checklist

· Monthly calls with each subawardee to discuss progress 

on activities, problem-solve implementation difficulties, 

and address emerging challenges and opportunities

· Posting of resources on the project website, based on 

needs identified in the TA calls

· Site visits to provide onsite technical assistance

Outcomes

Wellness Edge successfully solicited applicants for the grant 

in Year One and provided TA to subawardees, including 

creation of a centralized repository of TA products and 

resources. 

Year One subawardees and participants expressed 

satisfaction in Wellness Edge’s TA offerings: 99 percent of 

participants indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied 

with Wellness Edge-related events.