February 2020 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Watch our website for upcoming events.

Events are at DDRC offices,11177 W. 8th Ave. Lakewood, 80215, unless noted otherwise.

Feb 18 – Feb 19 (Tues.- Weds.)  Stakeholder input sessions facilitated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing regarding management of the wait list for HCBS-DD Waivers. Webinars on Feb.18 and 19, and an in-person session (in Arvada) on Feb. 19.   Details . 

Feb. 20 – 21 (Thurs. – Fri.) Peak Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education , held at the Denver Renaissance Stapleton Hotel. Sessions are relevant to family members, self-advocates, educators, administrators, college students and youth. Details . 

March 18 (Weds.) 5 – 7:30 p.m. SEAC Resource Fair sponsored by Special Education Advisory Committee/Jeffco Schools at Lakewood High School, 9700 W. 8 ^th Ave. Lakewood, C0 80215. DDRC will be there too, so look for us. SEAC Flyer . 

It’s easy to ReFUND to DDRC - Just follow these 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Decide how much of the refund you want to donate.

Step 2: Enter our full name, “Developmental Disabilities Resource Center” and our 11 digit registration number, 20023003423, into the “ Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit” line on your state income tax return or tax software. If someone else is filing and preparing your return, be sure to give them this information.

Step 3: Feel good knowing you are supporting opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives! 

More about ReFUND CO

HCPF Stakeholder Meeting and Webinars 

Regarding HCBS – DD Waiver Waiting List

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is holding information and stakeholder sessions on the Home and Community Based Services Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) Waiver Wait List, and potential new approaches to managing the list. Each meeting will include a presentation about current waiting list and enrollment practices and potential changes, and then time for discussion, questions and comments.

Session dates and times are noted below along with a link to directions for webinar access and call in numbers.

END THE WAIT Update

The End the Wait initiative is gaining steam according to Alliance Colorado:

Watch for our DDRC March enewsletter for updates regarding whether the draft bill has been introduced yet and how you can voice support to your legislators at the state capitol. 

DDRC 2019 Annual Report

DDRC made a positive difference in 2019 thanks to people like you, our Board of Directors, donors, volunteers, families, community, business and agency partners, and our committed staff. Read about our progress, activities and impact in 2019 in our annual report now available on our website.

Take a look at the stories, photos and summaries here. 

SEAC Resource Fair

Weds., March 18

Mark your calendars to attend the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 18, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 9700 W. 8 ^th Ave, Lakewood 80215. The fair will feature a large number of providers, community groups and organizations who can suggest or provide resources for your family, child or youth in transition with disabilities.

The event is sponsored by SEAC, a group who advise and support Jeffco Schools Special Education. Representatives of SEAC will be on hand. DDRC will be there too, so look for us and don’t miss this event! See the SEAC flyer .

DDRC Resource Coordination Satisfaction Survey

DDRC will be sending out a short survey via email to those enrolled in various waivers in order to obtain feedback regarding their satisfaction with DDRC Resource Coordination services. The survey will be sent to individuals/self-advocates and families or guardians/primary contact. The survey is anticipated to take about 7-10 minutes to complete.

Individuals enrolled in the following waivers will receive the survey: Children's Extensive Support Services (CES) Waiver, Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Children's Home and Community Based Services (CHCBS) Waiver, Supported Living Services (SLS Medicaid) Waiver, Supported Living Services (SLS) State Funded and the Comprehensive /Residential Services (DD Medicaid) Waiver. For those to whom this applies, watch for the survey email in February/March. 

FSSP Funding Available Now for

Disability Needs - Act Soon!

Family Support Services Program (FSSP) Funding for disability needs is available now through June 30, 2020. However, you must complete a FSSP Most In Need (MIN) Assessment and funding request to be considered, and DDRC needs to receive the MIN assessment prior to the end of May 2020 to be considered for funds this fiscal year.  

A link to the assessment and funding request forms were emailed to families earlier this year and can also be found on our DDRC web site at https://ddrcco.com/accessing-services/family-support-services .  You can also email [email protected] or call 303-462-6576 to request the forms be mailed to you.   If you have questions or would like assistance in completing the MIN Assessment, please contact your Resource/Service Coordinator. If you don’t have your coordinator’s phone contact, call DDRC at 303-233-3363 and we will connect you.  

New Connections

DDRC is facilitating a New Connections group for young adults ages 18 to 25. The kickoff of the group this January was a warmly received by the gathering of more than 20 young adults who participated, and even more have expressed interest. 

New Connections is a DDRC therapeutic recreation and social group that gives participants the opportunity to stay involved after transitioning from high school, to develop new friendships and have fun! Participants are involved in brainstorming activities of the group centered on their interests, hobbies and wishes. For more information, email [email protected].

Recognizing Employees' Years of Service

Not every organization can boast they are the kind of place and have the type of mission that attracts and retains employees for 5, 10, 15.... 35 and even 40 years! DDRC can. As Beverly Winters, DDRC Executive Director said, “It’s our not so secret sauce.” The ingredients come from a great organizational culture, along with a large dash of meaningful mission that drives the spirit of employees’ work. 

Last week, DDRC’s executive leadership and members of our board of directors, celebrated our Years of Service event with employees, recognizing the commitment, loyalty and service of our colleagues. It was a wonderful way to say thank you to them and remind ourselves how fortunate we are to work with such dedicated people! Pictured below are two of our longest serving staff honored at the event, Pat Jefferson (left), Director of Access and Community and Tammy Drumright (middle), Director, Adult Vocational Services, Walters. Also shown below (right) are members of our Board of Directors with Beverly Winters, Executive Director.

Creating opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and

developmental disabilities to participate fully in the community.

www.ddrcco.com

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DDRC sends important information about your services and supports well as announcements of special events, donor opportunities and more via this “Constant Contact" email platform. Please do not unsubscribe from Constant Contact emails since our communications will be restricted to U.S. mail and will take longer to get to you.

 

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