Strategic Partnerships: Growing and Expanding Your Loan Program The experiences of the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) Presented by Dave Matheis, KATLC Board Member

Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation KATLC Established by state statute 1997 – Received initial funds (from state’s DD Council) 1998 – Board of Directors formed; Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation began to provide staff support; began receiving $100,000 annual allotment from state budget

KATLC Timeline Continued 2000 – Principal lending partner, Fifth Third Bank of Kentucky, began making loans 2000 – Kentucky Housing Corporation agreed to provide fund for loans 2001 – Received NIDRR Title III grant 2001 – Received second grant from DD Council

. The KATLC Board of Directors (with staff)

KATLC’s Partners Kentucky Council on Developmental Disability Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation KATS Network Fifth Third Bank of Kentucky Kentucky Housing Corporation Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute (University of Kentucky)

KATLC’s Partners (continued) Five Centers for Independent Living Six Assistive Technology Resource Centers Department for Mental Health / Mental Retardation Supported Living Program Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund

Kentucky Council on Developmental Disability KATLC enabling legislation came with no money attached Council grant of $107,000 in 1997 supplied initial capitalization of loan fund Provided second grant of $118,000 in 2001

Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Assigned task of providing staff support and office space for KATLC in 1998 Provided staff support at no cost to KATLC through 2002

KATS Network Developed the enabling legislation and guided it to passage Obtained initial funding for KATLC from the DD Council Helped identify prospective Board members Assisted in developing administrative regulations Serves as a primary referral source for applicants Has role in the NIDRR grant

Principal Lending Partner – Fifth Third Bank of Kentucky Selected from six applicants in a RFP process Uses KATLC money for loan guarantees Began lending money in the summer of 2000 Very positive working relationship

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Established special loan program for home modifications for individuals with low income No guarantees or money from KATLC – KHC provides all the funds Number of applications has been small

Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute (University of Kentucky) Employ KATLC staff through a contract with Kentucky DVR Provides technical assistance to staff as needed

‘Real Choices’ Collaborative effort of KATLC, KHC, Dept. for MH/MR Services, and the Center for Accessible Living (Louisville and Murray) Designed to provide up to $5,000 grant for home modifications in Louisville and Murray areas with any additional money needed coming as a loan All applications have been for $5,000 or less

Six CILs and 5 AT Resource Centers Partnered through NIDRR Grant (Project LINK-A.T.) To provide referrals to KATLC and assistance to consumers in completing applications One-year trial

Mixing funding sources Informal arrangements Part grant/part KATLC loan Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Supported Living program TBI Trust Fund

Vendors Most successful with vehicle modification dealers and hearing aid vendors Since January 1, 2003, half of KATLC loans have been for hearing aids

For more information about the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation, call: Nancy Hansen at (859) or Dave Matheis at (502)