DisAbility Vaccine Event Protects and Connects Our Community |
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"Go dancing. I used to do that and that’s what I want to do” Curtis said with a happy voice as he and his mother were pulling away in the car after he got his first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Curtis participates in DDRC’s Therapeutic Learning Connections/Recreation, but the pandemic has curbed opportunities, created an isolated, shrunken world, and has presented a real threat for many. He was among more than 465 people 18+ years old with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caretakers, who participated in the special DisAbility Vaccine event held on March 24 in Lakewood. |
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Curtis and his mother (driving), with Terri Hulstrom, DDRC TLC/Recreation Manager. |
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The event was the culmination of much collaboration between DDRC, The Arc, Jefferson Clear Creek, Gilpin, STRIDE Community Health, and Jefferson County Public Health. Each group brought something to the table for this special opportunity, whether providing the vaccine, administering shots, setting up registration, staffing the phone bank to help registrants, driving participants to the event, setting up signage, cones, and volunteers and more.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine’s “Catalyst” found that people with IDD have a 6 times higher mortality rate if they contract COVID-19, are 2.5 times more likely to receive a COVID-19 diagnosis, and 2.7 times more likely to be hospitalized. The prevalence of underlying health issues among people with IDD contributes to these risks. Additionally, many people with IDD have great difficulty wearing a mask and observing 6 feet distancing, and they have been especially impacted by the isolation arising from the pandemic. All this combines to make the vaccine more crucial for these individuals.
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Logan, a young man who receives services, works at King Soopers, and has many interests, including acting and serving as a Youth Leader, shared: “I’m happy to get the vaccine to be confident of my health while working, and I want to do more things this summer.” He is shown here with his mother, Bonnie.
Rob DeHerrera, Executive Director of DDRC said, “We are grateful for the collaboration of our partners in this vaccine effort to help the people we serve. It’s wonderful that both the individuals we serve, and our partners, are rolling up their sleeves to make a safer, connected community.”
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The event occurred during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time which aims to raise awareness of the challenges this group faces, the dignity of their lives, and their desire and determination to be part of the community. Fittingly, the vaccine event helped fulfill the spirit and purpose of IDD Awareness Month!
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Vaccine Hotline 1-877-268-2926
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IDD Awareness Month is not just a month, it’s a call to become aware of the needs, goals and dreams of individuals with disabilities and their families all year-round. Thank you to everyone who helped spread awareness and who spoke up to celebrate the dignity and self-determination of people with IDD. We posted awareness videos on our web site, encouraged people to wear orange to mark the month, participated in IDD Awareness Day Direct Support Professionals recognition, collaborated on the DisAbilty Vaccine event, and helped get front page news in the Jeffco Transcript to bring visibility to the needs of people with IDD. Let’s carry awareness onward! |
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IDD Awareness: Seeing the Remarkable Roles of DSPs |
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Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) were honored at the March IDD Awareness Day Lunch as part of Alliance Colorado’s annual DSP of the Year Award. DDRC is proud of our award nominees who were recognized that day; Elizabeth (Liz) Polivka, Counselor, and Andrea Samuelson, Employment Specialist. |
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Liz works in our A Better Choice supporting individuals receiving Supported Living Services and previously worked with our Quality Living Options DDRC’s residential services.
Her special care is shown in her support of a woman with a terminal illness, helping the woman transition from her condominium, to hospice, to a nursing home, and even changing nursing homes during the pandemic! Liz advocated for the woman’s comfort, provided her reassurance, helped see that the moves went smoothly, kept cherished items at hand, and helped people see the woman’s wonderful individuality.
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Andrea promotes person-centered services and Employment First practices and encourages people to stretch beyond what they think is possible. Her approach with one career seeker demonstrates the spirit of all her work. Andrea received input that this person wanted to be a dishwasher but after some time wondered if this really was what he wanted. Andrea used a creative and interactive approach to dig deeper into identifying his genuine interests. Together, they realized his passion is for reading and books, and she is now helping him explore positions closer to his passions, exemplifying her commitment to foster the most person-centered experience possible.
We are grateful for and proud of these two DSPs and we thank all our DDRC DSPs for their awesome work.
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Refund Colorado and Do Good for DDRC |
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Tax season is upon us! If you haven’t already filed, please consider donating any portion of your Colorado state income tax refund to DDRC. Just enter DDRC’s registration number on your state filing in the “Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit” field of your form. Use number 2002 300 3423 or look up our name in the filing form.
Do good for developmental disabilities and DDRC - and ReFund what matters to you.
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Update on COVID Guidelines in Group Residential Homes
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DDRC continues to be vigilant in following COVID-19 health and safety protocols. We recently received guidance from the state relating to residential group homes, and we thank you for your cooperation with these protocols. The guidance specifies that:
- Indoor and outdoor visits are allowed.
- Visitors must be 18 years or older.
- Number of visitors per resident, duration of visits and simultaneous visitors at each site should be limited. DDRC will implement this by allowing 1 visitor at a time, with a 45-minute visit.
- Visitors must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose for the duration of their visit, whether inside or out, must sanitize their hands upon entry, pass a symptom screening and provide contact information for contact tracing. Masks with exhalation valves are prohibited.
- If both resident and visitor are fully vaccinated, they may have physical contact, otherwise distancing of 6 ft. is required.
- Group home staff, regardless of vaccinations, must wear a medical "ear loop" mask (not cloth) covering mouth and nose.
We are assessing additional changes to guidelines regarding return to work, quarantine for fully vaccinated staff and service recipients, and a phase-in plan for expansion of day services, and will communicate those in the ensuing weeks.
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DDRC Funding Available for Disability Related Needs |
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DDRC’s Family Support Services Program (FSSP) has funding available now through June 30 for disability related needs that are above and beyond typical child rearing or daily living expenses. Families in our service area are eligible for funds if they have a family member with a developmental delay or disability living in the family home and based on their Most-In-Need Assessment.
A few examples of services or items that may be reimbursed include respite, therapies, adaptive items, medical dental copay/ deductible costs, counseling, therapeutic recreation, camps, classes, mileage reimbursement or bus pass for medical trips, and more. Receipts are required and funding is not guaranteed. See details here.
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS AND MORE |
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Learn How to Motivate Positive Behavior with DDRC
Free Virtual Class
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Getting cooperation from someone you care for or work with can sometimes be a struggle, but the right approach can help. DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team is hosting a free, online Zoom session to help attendees learn how to motivate positive behavior, applicable to many ages and settings.
Part 1 is Tues., April 13, from 9 a.m.- noon and Part 2 is Wed., April 14, from 9 a.m.- noon. You must attend the first session to enroll in the second one.
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Caregiver Survey
Do you care for an adult family member or friend without pay? The Bell Policy Center has a short survey about caregiving resources you use and want. They will use your feedback to work with organizations to help create the meaningful, targeted services Colorado caregivers need. Please do the survey soon! Questions: emaill kuwik@bellpolicy.org
Thriving in a Virtual World
This free, virtual class aims to improve participant's inclusion and employment opportunities through digital and technology competencies for people of all abilities, including those with IDD. The class is offered by Financial Health Institute and Lab through support by Rocky Mountain Human Services.
April 12, 2021 - May 21, 2021 (six classes, 75 minutes each).
Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare for People with IDD
The class is virtual and free, and is offered by CU Anschutz/JFK Partners Wednesday, April 28, 2021 10:00-11:30 AM
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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 Coronavirus), events, donor opportunities and more.
Please do not unsubscribe from Constant Contact emails since our communications will be restricted to U.S. mail and will take longer to get to you. If you prefer not to receive e-newsletters, invitations or donor opportunities please use our “Online Form” to indicate that you do not want to receive such emails, but will accept 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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