Smiling Woman with short gray hair and glasses

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight on Beth Harrison

HDI was my work family for 28 years. It means a lot to me. I am proud to tell people that I work/worked with HDI. HDI means innovation; cutting edge; an umbrella of excellence for all aspects of disability; a “think outside the box” group of people working for the greater common good. —Beth Harrison, Retired Principal Investigator for SHEP and other transition projects

How did you come to know HDI? 

I was lucky to get a proposal funded that the Kentucky Department of Education wanted to partner with HDI on.

How long were you with HDI and what was your role? 

A long time! From 1990 through 2019, I’ve held various roles at HDI with the main focus being on transition of youth from school to community.

During your time at HDI, of which accomplishments are you most proud? 

I am most proud of helping to develop the community work transition program; helping to develop the states first recommended transition plan; and helping to develop the Kentucky Interagency Transition Council

Looking back, can you please share with us a fun or fond moment you had at HDI? 

Yikes! So very many. Some of my favorite memories are criss crossing the state with Ron, and Preston, and Brent, and Jeanna spreading the transition “gospel.” I also had fun helping Barney Fleming “fake” the HDI parking spot; making mad rushes to the post-office when you actually had to mail hard copies of proposals; and losing the keys to the state car in Walmart (: