Hello DDRC Community,
We are getting through this tough time — a day at a time! The impact of the Coronavirus is incredibly different for each of us and we at DDRC are committed to keeping you connected with services, resources and support during these hard times.
As I’m sure you are aware, there is very gradual reopening of business and community life as Colorado moves from a Stay at Home to Safer at Home order. Our next phase and challenge will be finding the best balance of preventing COVID-19 related illness with sustainability of a quality of life for all of us. This balance of potential risk and quality of life is what DDRC has expertise in, so we are confident we will navigate this together. Our services may look different for now, but our mission is unchanged.
Please continue to check
www.ddrcco.com
for updates and status of current operations due to the Coronavirus. Information is on the banner and the right hand side of the homepage.
With gratitude for your trust and support
,
Beverly Winters
Executive Director
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COVID-19 Resources
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.
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Many of you are working from home and may be caring for children. You may be supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities. Disrupted routines cause friction and the transition to the next phase of living with COVID 19 may bring other challenges too.
Now you can gain the skill and emotional posture to motivate positive behavior from family members, students and those you support through DDRC’s free webinar, “Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis,” presented by DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team Manager, Zachary Maple.
This Zoom webinar will be split up and held over two session dates:
Part 1 is
Tuesday 5/26
, 9 a.m.- noon
Part 2 is
Thursday 5/28
, 9 a.m. - noon
On-line attendance in the first session is needed in order to enroll in the second session. Advance registration is required. To register email
[email protected]
with your phone, name and email.
Details
.
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DDRC’s Early Intervention is Available to Help
Are you concerned about your child’s development? Even during this health crisis, DDRC’s Early Intervention Program continues to accept new referrals for children residing in our service area (Jefferson, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Summit Counties). Anyone can make a referral, including parents, foster parents, doctors, nurses, etc. We are providing virtual evaluations and a wide range of relevant services to help children (0-3 years) with developmental disabilities and delays who are eligible.
To make a referral or to learn more about the program please contact Early Intervention intake at 303-462-6619 or
[email protected]
.
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DDRC Self-Determination Initiative Funding
DDRC Self-Determination Initiative (SDI) grants, funded through mill levy, are available for Jefferson County residents with developmental disabilities. A variety of services, materials and supports arising from person-centered needs may be considered. For example, we have provided help in navigating employment barriers, getting coaching and technical support in using technology, and acquiring devices so people can stay connected, access email, and have a tool for budgeting. We brainstorm with applicants, and we help identify options to address each individual’s needs and goals.
We are still taking applications during the COVID-19 crisis. For information contact
[email protected]
or 303.462.6528.
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DDRC Online Recreation - Participate for Free
We are continuing to offer a variety of engaging and healthy online activities for people with disabilities ages 14 and over, and family or friends who’d like to participate too. The programs are free and you don’t have to be part of DDRC or have units to participate.
Each of the online sessions will be approximately 1 hour. An example schedule includes; Tuesday, Cardio Workout (11 a.m.); Wednesday, Mandalas and Music (3:30 p.m.); and Friday, Eating Healthy Social (12:30 p.m.). Activities will change each week over the month to reflect participants’ interest.
Email
[email protected]
or call Terri Hulstrom at 303-419-1920 to tell us about yourself, give your contact information and to receive details on how to join via Zoom, the online app. If you are new to Zoom, call or email in advance so we can offer a few tips.
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New Flexibility in Family Support Services Funding
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is now allowing additional flexibility in the use of Family Support Services Program funds to help address unanticipated hardships arising from the COVID-19 emergency. Still expected however is CCB (DDRC) oversight, cost-effectiveness, no duplication in services, proper documentation and funds being tied to the child with the disability. The funding flexibility is available for families enrolled in or on the waitlists for FSSP, and is considered for:
·
Additional respite for essential employees
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Assistive technology and sensory items
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Essential supplies if in quarantine
·
Utility payments for demonstrated hardship
If you are experiencing special hardships, please reach out to your DDRC Service Coordinator, or call 303.462.6576 if you are unsure how to contact your Service Coordinator.
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FSSP Funding Available – Apply before the End of May
DDRC Family Support Services Program (FSSP) funding for disability needs is available now through June 30, 2020. 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.
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Activity Boxes Provide QLO Residents with Ways to Engage
Opportunity for stimulation, learning and creativity have been difficult to come by during the “stay at home” orders,
and that has been especially so for residents of group homes. Fortunately, DDRC’s Adult Vocational Services (AVS) staff stepped up to create wonderful activity boxes for residents of DDRC’s 10 Quality Living Options (QLO) group homes, which residents have been enjoying for more than 6 weeks.
The materials and activities included a book about Coronavirus written by and for people with disabilities, and daily educational lessons with a reading tied to some historical or other occurrence of that day. Activities also include guides for writing a story as a group, crafting, exercising, stretching, scavenger hunts, indoor garden potting, puzzles and more.
DDRC’s Jessica Robertson was at the helm to research the activities with instructions for almost 100 different options. Jessica and other AVS staff at Walters put together the activity boxes, loaded them in vans and delivered them to the residence sites. Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) and Therapeutic Recreation staff across DDRC have worked with QLO residents to do the activities. We are grateful for our staff’s flexibility and inventiveness. Even when “safer at home” loosens, these activities boxes will continue to be a valued resource to enrich the daily living of QLO residents.
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Jessica showing one of the many activity guides she and AVS staff created
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Douglas and Bob deliver
activity guides and materials
to QLO Group Homes
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A wind sock craft flutters from one of the
group home eaves
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Nurse Day in May
May 6 was Nurses Day, but we recognize that our DDRC nursing staff works day-in and day-out, year-round to support the people we serve with their expertise and caring. They assess individuals, get medication administration records to each facility, deliver medication, work with DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team (BHT) and BHT’s nurse, ensure staff have PPE and an understanding of its proper use, and more.
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Our six LPN’s in Quality Living Options serve individuals in all group homes as well as apartments, host homes and those with family care givers. Two of our LPN’s also help monitor the DDRC Day Programs, and our Certified Medical Assistant helps keep everything coordinated.
Now, especially, the work on the front lines of ALL these staff to try to keep people safe and healthy is so crucial.
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Inclusion & Courage: All Abilities on Film -
FREE
Do you have a friend or family member who doesn’t know much about people with developmental disabilities? Why not take this time of “safer at home” to encourage them to explore movies that show the importance of inclusion of
all
people in all areas of life?
DDRC collaborated with
Jefferson County Public Library
to curate movies that shine a light on the courage and stories of individuals with IDD. The movies are downloadable or on DVD through the library and are
free
to library card holders. Get your card online.
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Watch Trailer:
Body & Soul, Diana & Kathy
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Watch Trailer: Life Animated
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From Partners and Others in the Community
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Behavioral Health Task Force Public Testimony Virtual Meeting
Join Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and the Colorado Department of Human Services for a virtual public testimony day with the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Community. They invite comments and feedback from parents, providers, self-advocates, advocates and friends regarding their experience and issues with the Colorado behavioral health system. You may listen-in or sign up before May 22 to testify.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Or call 1-669-900-6833. Meeting ID 916 685 8148. Password 679034
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One Stop Resources for Parents
J
effco Families Colorado
is a one-stop resource for families and all those who care for children age 0-8 in Jefferson County. The website connects families to local Jeffco programs and services, offers tips to support learning at every age, and features an array of content relevant to early childhood. Information is updated regularly. The information is free and available online and over-the-phone. Although the resources are targeted to Jefferson County, there are helpful ideas that are meaningful to parents across our DDRC service area. Visit
Jeffco Families Colorado.
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Economic Impact Payments in Response to COVID-19
Are you receiving SSI or are you a non-filer? Qualifying individuals will automatically receive their COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment. However, people with qualifying dependent children need to provide the IRS with information to receive the $500 per child payment. The IRS needs the information
before
the payments are issued. Otherwise, payments for the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a 2020 tax return.
Note however, that a
U.S Congressional proposal, known as the All Dependent Children Count Act (H.R. 6420), has been put forth to call for cash payments to be extended to dependents with disabilities of all ages as well as those younger than 19 and students ages 24 and under. The proposal was still being debated as of early May.
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Arc Thrift Stores Are Open
Over the past several months the Arc Thrift stores have been a fulcrum in gathering and distributing food and essential goods as aid for the community. Arc Thrift is also a significant source of funding support for The Arc chapters, including The Arc of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin, and they have been a longstanding employer of people with disabilities.
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So, when the time is right for you to venture out safely to buy something your need, remember Arc Thrift, and know your purchase will be meaningful to people with developmental disabilities! Find a store.
https://www.arcthrift.com/stores
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Celebrating Trailblazers - College Graduates and Inclusive Education
This month
five students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will become the first students to graduate from inclusive higher education pathways in Colorado. Three of them will graduate from University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS), and two will graduate with certificates in their chosen field of study from Arapahoe Community College (ACC).
While historically students with IDD have been excluded from higher education, today there are around 60 students with IDD who are enrolled across three Colorado colleges. Students take regular college classes, participate in clubs and activities on campus, live on campus, complete internships and hold employment, right alongside their peers.
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Complete Your 2020 U.S. Census
– Be Counted.
By now, you have likely received your 2020 Census in the mail. While the census timeline has been extended due to COVID19, everyone is still required to participate. One person is to respond on behalf of the household. Census counts and data determine the funding to pay for needed programs and services —many of which benefit people with disabilities.
Complete and mail your paper copy of the census or complete it online at
www.my2020census.gov
. You may also respond by phone by calling 1-844-330-2020.The Census Bureau does
not
ask for social security numbers, bank account information or money.
More about the Census.
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Creating opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and
developmental disabilities to participate fully in the community.
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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!
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