The Colorado Intentional Communities Research Project needs your feedback! 

FRIENDS will be hosting and participating in a focus group to give feedback on the need for Future Neuroinclusive Intentional Housing Options.

Join Us Tuesday June 3^rd from 10:30am – 12pm.

The facilitator for this focus group is our friend Desiree Kameka-Galloway of Neuro-Inclusive Housing Solutions. 

In previous research, many people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) expressed the desire to live in a neuro-inclusive planned or intentional community.

For the purpose of this research, a neuro-inclusive intentional community is multi-family housing (like an apartment or small neighborhood) created specifically to be accessible to people with I/DD, foster natural supports among residents, and include additional amenities like planned activities, life skill classes and/or other shared resources. 

We are seeking self-advocate and family member participants across the state to help us understand:

a) why adults with I/DD and their families desire intentional communities as a housing option

b) what fears do people have about intentional communities

c) what policy or regulations can be used to protect intentional communities from becoming institutional in nature

You can participate either

Online by watching a brief presentation and taking a survey.

-OR-

Joining an in-person Plain-Language Focus Group if a virtual option is inaccessible or you seek to be part of a discussion group.

Please sign-up for either feedback option on our website: Feedback for Intentional Communities | IHC Colorado

Watch a presentation and take the survey online today or SIGN UP for the Broomfield In-Person Focus Group on 6/3: https://www.ihccolorado.org/feedback-for-intentional-communities

Feel free to email Desiree@NeuroInclusiveHousingSolutions.com with questions about this research. Thank you to the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC) for funding this research study. 

CONGRESS MUST HEAR FROM YOU NOW

The House of Representatives recently passed a budget framework that could slash Medicaid funding and cut at least $715 billion from our health care system.

These cuts would have devastating consequences for people with I/DD, potentially stripping away access to vital support that allows individuals to remain in their communities. These are not just numbers, they represent real people whose independence and well-being are at stake.

“We are deeply alarmed that such sweeping cuts to Medicaid are included in the legislation that passed [the House Energy & Commerce] committee, ” said Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer at ANCOR. “These cuts, even if not specifically directed at community-based disability services, will squeeze a system already in crisis, harming people with disabilities and the workers supporting them. Despite the insistence by many members of Congress that they don’t want to cut benefits for people with disabilities, drastic funding cuts of any kind will reverberate across states, thereby endangering community-based disability services, the kinds of services that are often first to go when states experience funding shortfalls.

“Rather than forcing through legislative proposals that would make deep cuts to Medicaid and placing at risk services that support people with disabilities to live full, independent lives, Congress should instead focus on investing in the Medicaid program and ensuring these services remain sustainable and accessible in our communities,” Merrill continued. “We urge members of Congress to reject this legislation when it is up for a vote on the House floor.”

Congress must hear from you now. Tell your Senators and Representative: Reject Medicaid cuts and protect services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Help protect Medicaid. 

Anchor has created a template to use to communicate with your Senators and Representatives. 

The template can be found here: https://www.ancor.org/actions/preserve-i-dd-services-tell-congress-protect-medicaid/

FRIENDS Day Program

Notifying FRIENDS

If people are not able to attend FRIENDS Day Program, please notify us at (303) 404-0123. You are welcome to leave a message. Julia Hughes, FRIENDS Office Manager, will let the day program staff know of the absence.



If you are going to be arriving late or leaving early from the Day Program, please notify us at (303) 404-0123.  

Times of Classes

Morning classes begin each day at 10:00 a.m. Many of our classes either take place at a site in the community or have a community member as the instructor.  The group cannot be late the class. If you come in after your scheduled class has started in the community, you will be asked to join a class that is taking place in the FRIENDS building.

Afternoon classes end at 2:45 p.m. each day. If you need to be picked up earlier than 2:45 p.m. please contact us at (303) 404-0123 to make certain that you will be in the building at the time of your pickup.  

Day Program Reward Store

Our Reward Store is a longtime favorite in the Day Program! Every month, Participants use tickets they’ve earned from participation in daily activities to 'purchase' items from the store. Some items are more popular than others, which means our stock can run low. How can you help keep our Reward Store fully stocked and serving Participants? You can donate items at any time! We are currently looking for the following popular items:

• DVDs, CDs
• Word search books
• Colorado sports team apparel
• Adult coloring books
• Art supplies (colored pencils, watercolors, etc.)
• Disney items

Thank you for helping us keep this beloved resource available for our Participants!

FRIENDS Residential Program

Please join me in welcoming Kyle King who has joined FRIENDS of Broomfield’s Residential team as a Residential Manager. 



Kyle has many different experiences serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

His knowledge of residential services and ability to provide person centered services to the people on his caseload make him a great, new asset to FRIENDS! 

Chantelle Tweten-Crumbliss, Residential Director will be bringing Kyle with her to home visits in the upcoming months so that we can all get to know him.

On a sad note, Charlie McCallister is moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming with her family in June. Charlie’s work as a Residential Manager in the Residential Department has been stellar. She has built great relationships with the people we serve and their providers – she will be greatly missed! Good luck Charlie on your next adventure! We look to fill Charlie’s Residential Manager position and will keep you posted on who we hire. 

FRIENDS Social & Travel Program

Social

Travel

Do You Like To Travel?

FRIENDS of Broomfield is looking for Independent Contractors to accompany adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on their vacations and provide the care and support needed to positively enhance their travel experiences.

FRIENDS of Broomfield has trips scheduled monthly. We plan each trip with tours, activities, and unique experiences in every location. We offer:

• Day trips to activities and events around the Denver Metro area.
• Enhanced weekend trips: 1-to-3-day trips around Colorado and surrounding states.
• Extended trips: 5-to-7-day trips throughout the United States.

Independent Contractors assist FRIENDS with transportation during the trip, social and community interactions, finances, medication administration, personal care, supervision during planned activities, and other duties as assigned.

In addition to a daily stipend, Independent Contractors’ travel expenses are covered. This includes airfare, meals, lodging, and all activity costs.

Independent Contractor qualifications include:

• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Travel experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• The ability to quickly adapt to different situations.
• Capability to handle emergencies while maintaining the safety and well-being of the group.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
• QMAP certification.
• Physical requirements include the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force; physical condition to enable walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; stamina to be on your feet and active for full days; and the ability to speak or exchange information in an audible manner.
• Pass a background check

To learn more about becoming an Independent Contractor with FRIENDS please contact Jen King at (303) 404-0123 or jking@friendsofbroomfield.org