1. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Building a Unified Generation

2. Special Olympics
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Special Olympics transforms lives through the joy of sport every day, everywhere
Special Olympics is the leading voice in raising awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities
World’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.
15 Sports in Kentucky
Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968.
50th Anniversary!
More than 4.7 million athletes in 169 counties.
Over 1 million volunteers.

3. What is Unified Champion Schools?
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the three component model: Whole School Engagement, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Unified Sports offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.
Unified Sports and activities partner students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate together as one team.
Opportunities for Involvement at every level!
Young Athletes (2 – 7 year olds), Elementary, Middle & High School levels

4. Three Components
Inclusive Youth Leadership: Students with and without intellectual disabilities work to lead advocacy, awareness, inclusion and other Special Olympics activities throughout the school year. Examples include such things as Unified Clubs, inclusive student councils or similar types of inclusive student groups.
Whole-School Engagement: Awareness and education activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the school population. Examples include such things as Spread the Word to End the Word (R-Word) Campaign, Pep Rallies or “Fans in the Stands” for Unified Sports teams, Respect Campaigns or student fundraising.
Special Olympics Unified Sports®: A fully-inclusive sports or fitness program that combines an approximately equal number of students with and without intellectual disabilities. Examples include such things as Interscholastic Unified Sports, Unified PE or Unified Intramurals.
As of 2018 over 70 schools in Kentucky are actively engaged in at least one component of the UCS program!

5. Participating Schools
KEDC Region
Participating Schools
Bath County High School
Boyd County High School
East Carter High School
East Carter Middle School
West Carter High School
Fleming County High School
Johnson Central High School
Mason County High School
Raceland-Worthington High School

6. Unified Champion Schools & the Peer Support Network Project
Senate Joint Resolution 52, unanimously passed both the KY House and Senate and became law in April The Joint Resolution requires the Kentucky Department of Education to collaborate with the UK Human Development Institute and the University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development in assisting school districts statewide to implement the KY Peer Support Network Project.
Beginning in the Fall 2018, the Kentucky Department of Education will work to fulfill the requirements of Resolution 52 by having the Special Education Cooperatives assist schools within their respective regions in implementing Peer Support Arrangements and Peer Networks.
How can the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program help in this effort?
UCS has similar goals. The inclusive climates achieved through UCS programming will help foster the friendships and inclusion the Peer Support Network Project aims to achieve.
The Whole School and Youth Leadership components of UCS can help establish Peer Networks and vice versa. Students identified in Peer Networks may display the skills needed to lead Whole School engagement activities.
Schools already in the UCS program are making strides to meet Kentucky Board of Education legislative priorities to “focus on student well-being/social and emotional learning (SEL), including school climate initiatives…”

7. Benefits/Resources
Fellow School Mentors – collaborate with others throughout the state and country!
Spread the Word/Respect Campaign Supplies
Fundraising/Share the Proceeds Opportunities
US Department of Special Education Grant Funding
MedFest – FREE Health Screenings
Teacher & Student Professional Development Opportunities
Partnership with Kentucky High School Athletic Association so students can
represent their school at State Competitions!
National Banner Recognition Program
CONGRATULATIONS EAST CARTER HIGH SCHOOL!

8. Unified Sports in Kentucky
Interscholastic Unified Sports – compete on school team through Partnership with KHSAA
Unified Track & Field – 32 Schools competed at the 2018 State Track Meet at University of Kentucky
Unified Bowling – 11 Schools competed at the 2018 State Tournament in Louisville.
Unified PE Curriculum – Resource available with sample education plans
Unified Sport Clubs – Use the Fit 5 Program or your own!
Intercollegiate Unified Sports – Through Intramural Programs
University of Louisville, University of Kentucky & Western Kentucky University
SOKY Unified Sports – compete as a delegation. 6 Sports offer a Unified format/division.
Bocce, Bowling, Cheer, Golf, Swimming & Track & Field

9. Interscholastic Unified Sports
Unified Track & Field
High School Events offered: Middle School Events:
2 x x 100 Relay
2 x Additional event to be added in 2019
4 x 100 Relay
Shotput
Long Jump
More information located on KHSAA website:
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Unified Bowling
Bakers Format – Athlete alternates frames with Partner

10. Unified Challenge There are 3 Unified Sports models:
Recreational – less structured training and competition.
Player Development – players of higher ability assist those of lower sport specific ability.
Competitive – best for partners and athletes of about the same ability.
Challenging another school or district to start unified is a great way to begin!
Start small with Unified Exhibitions in the Recreational model!
Add Unified athletes to existing Track & Field or Bowling team

11. Visual Aids
Unified Sports Inclusion recruitment video: Teammates and coaches talk about the power Unified Sports can have in building friendships at school and in the community.
KHSAA Video
National Website:
Get the New Mobile App!
Log in to “Team App” and search for “KY - Unified Champion Schools” to join.

12. How do schools start?
Identify a liaison and complete the UCS Program Application
Understand Student Eligibility & Role Placement – See Flow Chart
Begin Coach Education, Training & Applicable Screenings
Inform Athletic Directors & Obtain Required Student Physicals
Contact Us!
Justin Harville, Director of Volunteer & Program Services Karen Michalak-Parsley, Unified Champion Schools Manager
or x114 or x202

13. A little more on The Young Athletes Program…
Program Overview
An Inclusive sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2-7.
A gross motor skill program introducing basic sport skills, like balance, running, kicking and throwing.
Skills are taught in progressive stages as the child learns and masters each skill.
Can be lead in the school!
Children of all abilities can take part and Acceptance is taught at an early age!
All Training, Curriculum and Resources are Free!
What does every child want? The chance to kick a ball, to throw it well, to share their success with family members. What does every child with intellectual disabilities want? The exact same thing.
Young Athletes welcomes children and their families into the world of Special Olympics

14. The Goals
Support social inclusion and inclusive play in schools, communities and homes
Let children with and without intellectual disabilities play together to learn about and understand each other
Social inclusion—Teaching acceptance and respect at a young age
With and without ID—Creating inclusive environments
Skill and Ability Levels—All children can participate in YA, and all children can experience success
Provide children with activities and games that meet their skill and ability levels

15. Join the Unified Generation!

16. Share the Proceeds Events
Students have fun at unique events to raise $$ for their programs!
UPS Plane Pull – in Louisville
Truck Pulls – in Lexington & Northern KY
Polar Plunges – Coming Winter 2019