10/20/2026
We are incredibly excited to share the results of a true community collaboration between the fine folks at UK St. Claire, Hazard ACAT team, Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States: Covington, KY, 4-H, and Rowan County Emergency Services !
After meeting with EMS Director Levi Hanshaw and Assistant Director Cindy Glover, we began developing Sensory and Communication Kits to support autistic individuals, nonspeaking individuals, and others who may become overwhelmed or have difficulty communicating during an emergency.
Director Hanshaw was very supportive of the project. He personally picked up the completed sensory bags and immediately placed them inside the ambulance units so they would be available when responders need them.
These kits came together because so many wonderful people were willing to help:
💙 Sister Judy, Mindy, and the Sisters of Notre Dame provided the comfort blankets.
💙 Holbrook’s Embroidery added our patches to the blankets and gave them a special finishing touch.
💙 Peggy, Amanda, Jayme, and the ladies from the Rowan County Cooperative Extension Office helped us assemble the kits during our visit.
💙 Director Levi Hanshaw, Assistant Director Cindy Glover, and Rowan County EMS supported the project and placed the kits directly into service.
💙 Patrick Kitzman, Keisha Wells, Cody Hecker, and our entire ACAT team helped turn the idea into something real.
This is what community collaboration is all about—recognizing a need, bringing people together, and creating something that can directly help our neighbors during a stressful or frightening emergency.
Thank you to everyone who gave their time, materials, ideas, and support. We truly could not have done this without all of you!
🚨🚨If your EMS department, first-responder agency, or community organization is interested in developing Sensory and Communication Kits, please message us or contact the ACAT team. We would love to share what we have learned and explore opportunities to collaborate!
📞606-618-0664
📧[email protected]
