Hello DDRC Community,
Times like these really do bring people together even if in new ways! All of us are experiencing the rapid change of what our life was like and what is to come during this unknown territory of living and working during a major pandemic. We know that there are additional challenges for people with disabilities, families and caregivers and hope we are a support to you. We also hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well, and if not, that recovery is soon.
After this season of our life, when we can look back on this, there will be a new strength and lessons learned. DDRC’s leadership is taking actions based on evolving information from health authorities to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus for those we serve, our workforce and the community. DDRC is steadfast to our mission by keeping services and supports in place with healthy operational modifications and innovation.
With gratitude for your support
,
Beverly Winters, Executive Director DDRC
|
|
DDRC's COVID-19
Rapid Response Fund
For Current and Emerging Needs
COVID-19 is impacting DDRC in many ways, including individuals, some at high risk, who our Quality Living Options (QLO) staff support residentially with 24-hour care. You can help us address these needs by being part of our Rapid Response Fund. Your donation will cover QLO direct care staffing costs, crucial supplies and technology that will help QLO residents stay connected to family and the community. The fund will also help ensure continuity of care by other DDRC direct care staff who will still be needed once this crisis passes.
Your gift will have double the impact thanks to the generosity of the Mai Family Trust
, Charlotte and Howard Mai, which will match up to $25,000 in donations to the fund. So please give something —every dollar matters.
|
|
COVID-19 Resources from Federal, State and Local Authorities
Colorado help lines: call CO-Help at
303-389-1687
or
1-877-462-2911
or email
COHELP@RMPDC.org
, for answers in English and Spanish
|
|
Free Webinars: Disability Inclusion and COVID-19
Through the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The webinars are in four parts,
each from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Colorado time:
April 15
Advice from Medical Providers
April 22
Advice from Family members/Caregivers
April 29
Advice from People With Disabilities
April 30
Advice on Your Questions
|
|
|
One Time COVID-19 Assistance
Jefferson County Human Services
Limited, one time emergency assistance is available for Jefferson County residents directly impacted by Covid-19 with up to $1,000 to pay for rent, utilities, internet, gift card for essential items, etc. The criteria and required verifications needed to access these funds include:
·
Proof of identification such as a Driver’s License or State ID
·
Proof of Jeffco residency (copy of mail with applicant’s name and address)
·
Proof of income - Assistance for household income of $75,000/yr or less
·
Proof of certain expenses that request is being made for (rent, utilities, internet, etc.)
·
How COVID-19 has impacted the household.
|
|
Grocery Delivery Through Access-a- Ride During COVID -19
For
existing
customers during the COVID-19 state of emergency, Access-a-Ride offers grocery delivery to your home for shopping from King Soopers, Safeway and certain food banks. You must call Assess-a-Ride a day in advance to book the service.
Customers must contact the grocer directly by phone or through the grocer’s website to place their food order. Once the order has been placed, and you have a scheduled pickup time from your grocer or food bank, call Access-a-Ride reservations at
303-292-6560
and book a trip to pick up or have the groceries delivered at that time.
Drivers cannot leave groceries unattended at your front door and it is recommended that you do not order frozen food as groceries may be on the van for more than an hour.
|
|
FSSP Funding Available for
Disability Needs Submit Forms Now!
DDRC Family Support Services Program (FSSP) funding for disability needs is available now through June 30, but to be considered you must complete a FSSP "Most In Need (MIN) Assessment" and submit a funding request
prior to the end of May 2020
.
You can also call Stephanie McDonnell at 303-233-3363, to request the forms be mailed to you.
If you have questions or would like assistance, please contact your Resource/Service Coordinator or call DDRC at 303-233-3363 and we will connect you to someone to help you.
|
|
Inclusion and Courage: All Abilities on Film
Collaborating with Jefferson County Public Libraries
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families deserve to live their best lives and to be respected and included. However, for many years they were shut out and isolated from the community. Today, with mandated social distancing brought on by the pandemic, people are getting just a small sense of what life was like for people with disabilities not so long ago.
DDRC is collaborating with
Jefferson County Public Library and g
athered movies that shine a light on the courage, lives and stories of individuals with IDD.
The movies are available in downloadable and DVD options, and are free to library card holders. It’s a good reason to get a card if you don’t have one! You can
get a temporary card
now even though the library building is closed. Many of the movies are sourced from the Library’s connection to Kanopy and Hoopla. Thank you,
Jefferson County Public Library!
Please share this opportunity with someone in your circle of acquaintances and help us spread awareness of the dignity of all abilities.
|
|
 |
Watch Trailer:
Body & Soul, Diana & Kathy
|
|
|
|
Watch Trailer: Life Animated
|
|
|
|
Resource Coordination and Getting in Touch
Are you new to the area or realizing that you or a family member may need services? If you are interested in discussing your situation and seeing what help is available, please call DDRC’s main number at 303.233.3363 and we will guide you in your next steps.
If you are already connected with DDRC for Resource Coordination but would like to confirm the person with whom you should be connecting, then please call
303-462-6535.
|
|
Virtual Connection and Chat April 28
With Early Intervention Colorado
and DDRC
Join Early Intervention (EI) Colorado and Developmental Disabilities Resource Center for a Virtual Family Chat on
April 28 from 3:30 -5:00 p.m.
- Let EI Colorado and DDRC know about the supports you need
- Learn more about video visits
- Connect with other families
Download the
flyer
for Zoom directions and call in information.
|
|
New Website for Caregivers of Young Children
Jefferson County is one of four LAUNCH Together communities across Colorado. LAUNCH Together Jefferson County Partners
recently created a new web page,
Jeffcofamilies.org
,
to serve as a one-stop resource for caregivers of young children. Some of the information is specific to Jefferson County while other information is relevant to caregivers generally.
The Developmental Disabilities Resource Center is one of 11 partners who collaborate as LAUNCH Together Jefferson County to promote infant and early childhood mental health, positive social-emotional development, and coordinated screening and referrals. LAUNCH Together’s goal is to ensure that Jeffco’s children are cared for in safe, stable and nurturing environments so they enter school ready to learn and thrive for a lifetime.
|
|
The 2020 U.S. Census is Coming – Be Counted.
Homes are now receiving information on how to complete and respond to the 2020 U.S. Census. Everyone is required to participate. Census data will determine the flow of millions of dollars of funding to pay for needed programs and services — many of which benefit people with disabilities. Census counts also influence the number of Congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
One person from each household is to respond to the census on behalf of the household. You may respond to the census online, by phone or mail. Census takers will contact homes that haven't responded to ensure everyone is counted. The Census Bureau does
not
ask for social security numbers, bank account information or money, so if someone asks for that, it is not a legitimate request.
More about the Census
.
|
|
Creating opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and
developmental disabilities to participate fully in the community.
|
|
Set Your Email Preferences for Emails from DDRC
DDRC sends important information via this “Constant Contact" email platform, including information
about your services and supports, announcements of emergencies (e.g. operations during Cornavirus), events, donor opportunities and more. Please
do no
t
unsubscribe from Constant Contact emails since our communications will be restricted to U.S. mail and would take longer to get to you.
If you prefer not to receive e-newslettters, invitations or donor opportunities please use our
“
Online Form
”
to indicate that you do not want to receive such emails.
However,
please continue to select that you are open to receiving official notifications
(i.e. notices of your services and supports ) via Constant Contact. Thank You!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
