Pamela H. Hereford

Institute for Community Inclusion

University of Kentucky, KY

Pamela H. Hereford provides direction and leadership as the Mental Health Manager for Big Sandy Head Start, a federally funded preschool program that serves low-income children in a five county service delivery area of Eastern Kentucky. For nineteen years, she has ensured the provisions and accessibility of required mental health services in accordance with federal and state mandates. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Morehead State University with a Bachelor’s Degree and Minor in Child Development. Pamela is currently a Diversity Fellowship Student working toward her Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate at the University of Kentucky.

Research Interest:

• Social Issues in Eastern Kentucky, Generational Poverty, Drugs, Illiteracy
• Synergistic effects of Social Issues on Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
• Countering the effects of Social Issues through Early Intervention

Fun Fact: Maiya’s perfect “GiGi”!

Project Narrative

1. Please describe your activities during your fellowship experience. Describe your final capstone project(s).
Activities during the fellowship experience include obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kentucky. Currently, I’m in my final semester and will receive my certification in December 2016. Course work incorporates 4 HDI classes: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Needs of Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs, Interdisciplinary Supports, Interdisciplinary Supports Practicum (120 hours), Interdisciplinary Leadership, and one elective of your choice, RC 560 Supported Employment, Transition, & Independent Living. My final capstone project is a mini video that highlights the synergistic effects of social issues on children in eastern Kentucky, and how “intervention” counters the effects of generational poverty, drugs, and illiteracy.

2. Who did your project inform, help, influence or impact? (UCEDD, individual, community, state) How?
My capstone project will help and impact my community and regional training agencies. Locally, my video is being shared with child daycare centers, parents, and pre-school programs, as a tool to showcase risk factors in eastern Kentucky and how intervention does matter in the lives of our most vulnerable population, children. At the regional level, the video is being used as a training tool to highlight the need for intervention as well as its positive effects.

3. Why did you choose to work on that project(s)?
I chose “Interventions Matters” as my capstone project because of its relevance to my work, community, and the children and families I serve in rural Appalachia. My goal in producing a video that is guided by imagery is to draw awareness to the needs of the children locally and to state the importance of utilizing early intervention, intervention, and intervention programs.

4. What did you gain from being a Diversity Fellow?
Being a Diversity Fellow is the chance of a lifetime. Through the scholarship opportunity, I earned a higher level of education that otherwise would not have been possible and I acquired an immeasurable amount of knowledge. I built new friendships and relationships with students and professionals. I have a new appreciation for the plight of children in eastern Kentucky and I have a greater understanding of diversity at the local, state and national level. Being a Diversity Fellow has made my life richer and has personally changed me forever.

5. How will this experience impact your education or career decisions?
This experience provided me with a Graduate Certification which hopefully will open new doors and career opportunities.

6. What are your future goals? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I want to say in 5 years I will be retired and not restricted to the time restraints that an 8am to 4pm job/career involves, but time will have to tell on that one! There is also a part of me that wants desperately to complete a Master’s degree, a lifelong goal placed on hold in order to support my children as they pursue their own college dreams. The certification process has given me a new love of advocacy, particularly at the state legislative level so I can see myself at the capital in Frankfort. Basically, I still have big hopes and dreams for the future!!

7. What recommendations do you have for other fellows?
My recommendations, to other fellows, are to pursue your dreams and stay actively involved in your capstone projects when/where applicable. Each of you has passionately dedicated yourself to finding solutions, making a difference, and exacting change. Stay the course!!