March/April 2019 Newsletter

Upcoming Events Calendar

Watch Our Web Site for DDRC events

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

March 26 Tuesday (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.) Introduction to Applied Behavioral Analysis   (i.e. motivating behavior). A terrific free class offered by and at DDRC. Space limited. Registration required; sign up now! Contact Zach Maple at 303-233-3363 [email protected]

March 27 Wednesday (10 - 11:30 a.m.) ​ HCPF  Children's Extensive Supports (CES) Waiver Stakeholder Meetings  at HCPF offices 303 E. 17th Avenue, Denver 80203 

April 3 Wednesday (Starting 5 p.m.) Dining to Support PorchLight, A Family Justice Center at 240 Union Restaurant, Lakewood. Reservations at 303-989-3562. DDRC has been involved in the planning of PorchLight and is part of the collaboration. More

April 4 Thursday (4 - 7 p.m.) Navigating the World of IDD Services at DDRC. Free. Registration required. More below. 

April 18 Thursday (6 - 7 p.m.) SEAC Legal Panel on Special Education Law. Discussion led by attorneys focusing on education law. Free. Sponsored by Jeffco Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) held at Jeffco Public Schools Education Center, 5th floor, 1829 Denver West Dr., Golden 80401.

Special Learning Opportunity

Navigating the World of IDD Services

April 4 4-7 p.m. Free. Registration required.

At DDRC, 11177 W 8 ^th Ave, Lakewood 80215.

Curious about options for living independently or want to hear from individuals who have taken the leap to live outside their family environment? Want to know more about a new service model that provides you greater flexibility and control called CDASS - Consumer Directed Support Serves? Then come to DDRC’s next Navigating the World of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services event on April 4, organized by DDRC in collaboration with community partners.



Living Independently panel include representatives from:

o    Cottonwood Community Alternatives

o    DDRC Stonebridge

o    Open Up

o    Via! Transportation

T he CDASS presentation include representatives from:

o    Consumer Direct Care Network - Colorado

o    DDRC

Additionally we will have experts sharing guidance and handouts at more than 10 information stations.

This program is intended for individuals receiving services, their families, personal representatives, guardians, and advocates. Registration is required, and space is limited. 

To register and receive

free tickets to "Navigating"

please go to

our Eventbrite page .   

IDD Awareness Month

IDD Awareness Day Celebration

Every year DDRC participates in IDD Awareness Day as a way to join forces with others in the IDD community to bring our voice to the Colorado Legislature, to meet our local legislators, to highlight the work of outstanding Direct Service Professionals and to hear inspirational speakers. It’s a great way to kick off IDD Awareness month in March.

This year we nominated Megan McCourt and Rita Higley, both DDRC Direct Service Professionals, to receive recognition alongside other outstanding DSPs nominated by their organizations across Colorado. Joining us for lunch and the presentations were Senator Rachael Zenzinger, Senator Jessie Danielson, Senator Dennis Hisey and aides from Representative Monica Duran’s office.  

FirstBank Makes Contribution in Honor of IDD Awareness Month and 25th Hour Fund

FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” has stepped forward with a $5,000 donation in honor of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month. As the concepts of diversity and inclusion grow broader, people are asked to consider how they can further welcome and include people with IDD in all aspects of community life. With that in mind, FirstBank made the donation specifically to support the work of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) through the Developmental Disabilities Foundation (DDF).

"We are pleased to support our Lakewood neighbor DDRC and help demonstrate the importance of valuing and improving the lives of people of all abilities,” said FirstBank CEO Jim Reuter.

The $5,000 gift from FirstBank will enable DDRC, in conjunction with the DDF, to help individuals and families address crisis needs through the “25th Hour Fund.” Barbara Moritzky, DD Foundation Board Treasurer said, “This generous donation will enable DDRC and the Foundation to help many individuals and families who often have nowhere else to turn in an emergency. Thank you, FirstBank, for making a difference in their lives.”

Beverly Winters, Executive Director of DDRC, said, “We have long held the values of quality, dignity and choice for every individual of any ability. This year, DDRC marks 55 years as a leader in serving the IDD community. We have deep gratitude to FirstBank for helping us mark IDD Awareness Month as we continue along our journey, and for showing that ‘Banking for Good’ includes all people.” 

Film Fest Celebrates IDD Awareness Month

The Achieve With Us Colorado Film Fest, organized by The Arc of Colorado with 13 local Arc chapters, and made freely available through the sponsorship of many entities, including DDRC, was a moving, eye-opening and not-to-be missed event! The film fest is organized as part of IDD Awareness Month in March.

DDRC and friends were there to enjoy connecting with a great crowd and shared the experience of seeing Far From the Tree, one of many films featured during the festival. Based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name by Andrew Solomon, the film was a powerful and beautiful exploration of all the ways it means to be a “normal family.”

Be sure to mark your calendars to come next year! 

DDRC’s Employment Gateway

DDRC’s Employment Gateway is a new pilot program designed to connect job seekers to equal opportunity employment. Participants will create individualized multimedia portfolios they can share with potential employers. Each portfolio is self-directed and includes a 3-minute video resume with testimonials from people in the job-seeker’s life, a traditional written resume, and a personalized profile that highlight interests, abilities, and experience.

The Employment Gateway pilot is made possible with the support of the Developmental Disabilities Foundation, and is coordinated with the CU Evaluation Center. The Center will take data and conduct interviews throughout the pilot stage in order to make recommendations for creating a successful “gateway” tool for matching job seekers and employers.

The pilot is starting with 12 participants who are interested in looking for personally meaningful employment. It is open to DDRC participants in Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit and Gilpin counties, and DDRC individuals living in other counties. Employment Gateway aims to finalize the pool of participants by April, 2019, with portfolios being created over the coming months. For more information contact your Resource Coordinator or Kelly King at [email protected] or 303-462-6528. 

DDRC's Self-Determination Initiative

Do you have aspirations to grow as a person? The DDRC Self-Determination Initiative is a Jefferson County mill levy funded program that may be a means to find fulfillment. The program encourages you to identify your plans and goals and provides short-term financial support to jumpstart your dreams.

Self-Determination aims to work with individuals with IDD living in Jefferson County, to find tools for increased independence, self-advocacy, community participation, and personal control in life. It can provide things such as communication tools, tablets with talk-to-type apps, adaptive kitchen tools, driving lessons or driving fitness evaluations, PATH plans (guided planning sessions), learning skills like online safety or budgeting, software to create projects or start a small business, educational courses, and more. Every person and situation is unique.

If you want to brainstorm with someone about your plans for the future or want guidance on a Self-Determination application, contact the DDRC Self-Determination Coordinator at [email protected] or 303-462-6528. Applications can also be on the found on the DDRC’s website Self-Determination page or talk with your Resource Coordinator.

Showing Their Dedication

Members of the Weiland Community Support Group with Weiland staff member, Melanie White. Melanie and a program participant share the limelight.

Mark Your Calendar for These Spring & Summer Events

DDRC is doing the Colfax 5K/Half Marathon in May

DDRC’s Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) is teaming up with Ability Experience to run the Colfax 5K Run /Walk and the Half Marathon. The 5K race is on Saturday, May 18 starting just before 9 AM at Denver’s City Park. The Ability Experience is sharing race proceeds to benefit DDRC’s TLC programs. For more information, please contact DDRC - Trevor Joy at 720-544-8157. 

Rockin’ the Runway - Together, Saturday, June 8

Save the date of Saturday evening, June 8 for Rockin’ the Runway – Together, a fun, free fashion show at the Belmar Plaza in Lakewood. The event will bring together people of all abilities sharing the joy of fashion. Rockin’ the Runway - Together is being organized by the key partners of DDRC, The Arc JC, Colorado Miss Amazing, Starwood Retail, and Paul Mitchell - The School. For more information contact [email protected] or call 303-462-6623.   

DDRC – DDF Golf Tournament, Thursday, August 8

Mark your calendars for the DDRC and DD Foundation’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament. Join us on the links at the beautiful Hiwan Golf Course in Evergreen for our summer par-tee. Theme announcement coming in April! If you have questions about signing up, sponsoring the event, or just coming out to watch the golfers, contact Lisa Strachan at 303-462-6584 or visit www.ddrcco.com/golf.

Use Your Buying Power

to Benefit DDRC and the People We Serve

King Soopers Community Rewards

For more than 70 years, King Soopers has been committed to supporting the communities where its associates live and work. The King Soopers Neighborhood Rewards Program has helped nearly 5,000 organizations raise funds, made possible by your support.

Starting on April 1 ^st, the King Soopers family is launching a new program to make it easier than ever to give to DDRC. Simply use a registered King Soopers or City Market loyalty card to earn funds for DDRC. Act now and visit www.kingsoopers.com/communityrewards to register and start giving with each shopping trip! Questions? Call DDRC - Lisa Strachan at 303- 462-6584.

Please share this information with friends and family, and ask them to join the community fundraising program through King Soopers and City Market to benefit DDRC and the people we serve.

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