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SPECIAL URGENT NOTICE From our partners at Jefferson County Human Services: Please see this FAQ link for imminent action needed by noon January 15 relating to food assistance and the federal government shutdown.

We Build on Abilities

Jan/Feb 2019 Newslette r Upcoming Events Calendar Watch Our Web Site for DDRC events Events at DDRC are 11177 W. 8th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215 unless otherwise noted.  Jan. 16 Wednesday (11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) HCPF Webinar to present and discuss the findings of stakeholder input on Conflict Free Case Management (Community Impact Survey findings). Free. More Jan. 24 Thursday (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.) Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis  (i.e. motivating behavior) A free class offered by and at DDRC. Space limited. Registration required; sign up now. Contact Zach Maple at 303-233-3363 Zachary.Maple@ddrcco.com More Jan. 31 Thursday (5- 7:30 p.m.) Special Education Advisory Committee Resource Fair organized by SEAC and Jefferson County Public Schools. Free. Connect with a variety of organizations and groups that provide supports and resources for children with disabilities and their families. DDRC will be there with staff and handouts. Held at 1829 Denver West Drive, 5 th floor, Golden 80401. More Feb. 7 Thursday (12-12:45 p.m.) Webinar to learn more about IN! and college options for students with disabilities, presented by IN! Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education. shelbyb@inclusivehighered.org Register here. February Saturdays (9 - 9:45 a.m.) Free Kids Yoga , ages 4 and up. Call instructor, Kendra, at 303-433-0852 to discuss her background, training and the class. Classes are held at 4704 Harlan St, Denver 80212.

News and Stories

2018 DDRC Annual Report Available Our 2018 Annual Report is now posted on our website. Take a look at our impact in 2018, the highlights of our activities, progress toward our goals, fiscal year reporting and more. It was a fulfilling year!  2019 marks the 55 th year for DDRC being a leader in providing resources, guidance, direct services and advocacy for individuals with IDD and their families. We look forward to building upon last year as we move into 2019!

DDRC’s Stonebridge Project – A Story of Independence See if Stonebridge is Right for You!  Emily Waldo never thought she wanted or was ready to live on her own - she was fine where she was. As a young woman with IDD she wasn't sure about her options. Then she heard about the Stonebridge Project town home, an independent living training program through DDRC's A Better Choice that would give her the opportunity to “branch out and try new things,” as she said. So, Emily moved into the town home, a place she shared with a roommate. As part of the training, Emily worked two days per week with providers who helped her learn practical independent living skills. Emily also got a three-day-a-week job at a local ARC. Her DDRC providers helped her learn how to navigate the streets and bus system to get to and from work, something she now does expertly. She is proud of her fuller life, but most happy about the opportunity for social relationships, like making friends with neighbors and being able to entertain family. “Fun is my middle name,” she says. The Stonebridge Project is meant to be a short-term training opportunity and Emily is now ready to move on to another living setting. Her advice to the next people who come to The Stonebridge Project is grow and have fun. If you want to explore learning how to live independently with training and supports, read more about DDRC’s Stonebridge Project opportunity.

State Audit of CCBs  DDRC and the Community Centered Boards (CCBs) in Colorado serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have many financial, health and safety, programmatic and other surveys and audits. Recently, the Colorado Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of all 20 CCBs as required by state law. Read more

Bring a Smile to Someone with IDD As You Shop Do you love shopping on Amazon? You can show your support of DDRC with each purchase. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your purchase price from eligible products to DDRC. Register with AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com  and select DDRC as your beneficiary organization to start giving.  Call Lisa Strachan, DDRC's new Development Director at (303) 462-6584 for help to set up your AmazonSmile registration.

Colorado Gives Day  Colorado Gives Days on December 4, 2018 was a big success for DDRC. We raised $59,544,14 from 139 donors. An additional $655.49 was donated by the Community First Foundation incentive fund, for a total of $60,199.63.  Thank you to all who supported DDRC on Colorado Gives Day and throughout 2018!

Lucky’s Market Makes a Positive Mark   Our thanks to Lucky’s Market for their support of DDRC during 2018! We were grateful to be named a Lucky’s Bags for Change partner and receive $1,718 from their fundraiser and Lucky’s match which will support our community garden at Walters. DDRC was highlighted in Lucky’s grand-opening mailer to many thousands of households. We were invited to participate in the Lucky’s Loves Local day with our DDRC table, helping us spread awareness of our organization and mission. Lucky's also donated a gift card which we used to buy snacks for our DDRC health benefits fair. P lease visit Lucky’s Market at 38th and Wadsworth to show your appreciation for their community commitment.

The Colorado Respite Coalition - A Helpful Resource The Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC) is a great resource for families seeking respite services. Their Family Respite Voucher Program provides funds for respite care to family caregivers across Colorado, serving all ages and special health care needs. This program offers a resource for unserved and underserved family caregivers who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems. See the Respite Navigation Guide and then click on the Family Voucher Program. The Colorado Respite Coalition is affiliated with Easterseals Colorado.

Self Determination Grants Sometimes, a small object can be like a special door that opens to a wider world. For Cynthia Reynolds, that door is an iPad, which opened a portal to many things that enrich her life. Cynthia, a woman with IDD now firmly in her middle years, is receiving services from DDRC. With the help of DDRC’s Self Determination funding, Cynthia recently acquired an iPad and received coaching in setting up and becoming familiar with its capabilities. That coaching was provided by Erlen Marsh, DDRC’s Instructional Technology Specialist. Cynthia uses her iPad to help make choices in her practical living, like finding the RTD bus schedule to get to King Soopers or go on other errands. The iPad gives her access to an app to get grocery coupons, keep track of a shopping list, and watch for items on sale that she likes. A self-described mystery book lover, Cynthia also uses the iPad to get connected to the Talking Book Library to have large-print books and tapes mailed to her. She also connects to the Jefferson County Library system and uses the iPad for games like “WonderWord.” Cynthia is challenged with spelling, but she fearlessly uses her iPad to access help in dictation and spellcheck, and is active in communicating by email and Facebook to reach friends and family. "I would miss people without this," she says. DDRC’s Self Determination Funds are awarded to help individuals with IDD get unique supports to pursue their dreams and lead fuller lives. A committee of community and DDRC representatives review the requests for funds to determine if the circumstances warrant approval. Funding is available to those residing in Jefferson County, and may cover things such as therapy, employment supports, social connections and life coaching. DDRC is pleased to announce that we have recently hired Kelly King as our new Self Determination Coordinator for our Self Determination Initiative program. Kelly can be reached at Kelly.King@ddrcco.com or 303-233-3363.

Shedding Light on the World of IDD Services DDRC’s Case Management and guest presenters held a night of information sessions in November about how to qualify for, access and use intellectual and developmental disability services. The information was geared toward individuals, family members, teachers and others. Approximately 150 people participated. Topics included an overview of the Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services, as well as a comparison of the two adult waivers (SLS and DD), and 12 support stations on topics such as intake, higher education, housing, family support and more. Session materials are on DDRC’s website. We also held a Community Forum that evening, where we discussed DDRC's strategic goals and sought input from families and members of the community.

DDRC Players Showcase Talent   The DDRC Players performed “Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen” to a full house at Green Mountain High School this past November.  More than 20 actors participated, many of whom are receiving services with DDRC. Playing alongside these actors were other volunteers as well as performers who are part of Colorado Acts. Students from the high school worked the lights and sound, and a harpist who is a relative of one of the actors added to the drama of the night. Staff from DDRC ‘s Therapeutic Learning Center also helped in numerous ways. It was an entertaining evening and truly a collaborative effort all around!

Weiland Holiday Dinner The Weiland Community Support group again showed their organizing power and generosity with the holiday dinner party they hosted for individuals participating in the Weiland day program and their families. Tables were decked out in tablecloths, garlands and bows. Music played. Volunteers attended to a beautiful buffet of hot dinner items, and others arranged a photo booth to capture memories against a holiday themed backdrop. More than 30 volunteers contributed time and materials to make the occasion festive and welcoming for all. Kristie Braaten, Senior Director of Waiver Programs with DDRC greeted the crowd and thanked the volunteers for making the event possible.

DDRC's Holiday Bazaar The DDRC Holiday Bazaar attracted over 450 people this past December. There were 25 tables featuring art, crafts, jewelry, holiday décor, unique gifts, a bake sale and silent auction, as well as music and carolers. It was a lovely time for all. Thank you to those who participated with a table! Total sales from all participating programs, including AVS, QLO and Volunteer Services were $3,763, which go to support the various efforts of those programs.

Secret Santa And Holiday Helpers The DDRC Secret Santa and other holiday volunteers were out in full force over December. They gathered items of necessity for donations, fulfilled wish list items for individuals and families that we serve, sewed holiday decoration donations, gathered gift cards for distribution and raised money for donations to help individuals and families over the holidays.

Our thanks to Girl Scouts Troop 62228 for their sock drive and other gift bag items. The Holiday Open House hostesses, Mary Ann Tillman, Jill Polito, Amanda DiVito, Roni Shirazi and Becky Shreck were a team extraordinaire with gift gathering and food hosting!

Federal Center employees from Lakewood brought a few carloads of giftbags to DDRC. Thank you, Tom Anthony, Deane LeBlatt, Julie Quinn, Jessica Polacet and so many more, including Ruth Probasco, a former Federal Center employee who is still involved. The Clement Center “Sewing Ladies” a group of highly talented sewers, created a huge assortment of items to benefit the families we serve, including hand-made ornaments, napkins, aprons, table runners, small blankets and more. Thank you, Arlene Mayer and your 15 sewing collaborators!

The Masons (Pythagoras Lodge #41, and Albert Pike Lodge #117) brought many gift cards, and a generous check that was used to benefit the DDRC Secret Santa effort. Thank you, Grant Sanders, Randy Penn, Bruce Miller (pictured right) and your fellow Masons. Kaiser Permanente Wheat Ridge Family Medicine and Pediatrics team also came forward with donations to help families with children in our services. Thank you, Sally Detweiler and your Kaiser cohorts!

From Our Friends in the Community

March Event with Colorado Miss Amazing Colorado Miss Amazing is part of a nationwide program that provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build self confidence, nurture sisterhood and build life skills. Girls and women with a disability can participate - and they have an event in Parker, Colorado this March 29 and 30. Read more.

DDRC E Newsletters

DDRC Community Interest Newsletter Readers:  Set Your Email Preferences DDRC sends important information about waiver services / supports via this “Constant Contact" newsletter platform. Please do not unsubscribe to Constant Contact since our communications can then only be sent via U.S. mail and will take longer to get to you. If you prefer, use our “ Online Form ” to indicate that you do not want to receive this comprehensive "DD Community Interest" e-newsletter, but are open to receiving special waiver service notices via Constant Contact. Thank You!

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