April 2020 Newsletter

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

U.S. Centers for Disease Control  

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Jefferson County Public Health  

211 Colorado

Colorado help lines: call CO-Help at  303-389-1687  or  1-877-462-2911  or email  [email protected] , for answers in English and Spanish

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.

 

For more information call 303-292-6560 or visit Access-a-Ride.

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 find a link to the assessment and funding request forms on our DDRC web site at  https://ddrcco.com/accessing-services/family-support-services .  

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. 

Check out " Inclusion and Courage: All Abilities on Film . "



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.

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.

Also from their website, read: Talking with Kids about Coronavirus . 

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.

www.ddrcco.com

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!