In This Issue:

• Support The Arc This Colorado Gives Season
• RSVPs Are Open for Our Holiday Open House!
• The Latest on Long-Term Services & Supports
• Help Us Create New Programs for Teens & Young Adults with IDD
• This Weekend: Fall Into Love IDD Speed Dating Event
• Learn About Project SEARCH at Virtual Open House
• November Celebrations & Observances
• People First Meets Tonight

Support The Arc This Colorado Gives Season

There's no better way to kick off Colorado Gives than by going back to the start. 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of The Arc-JCCGC in 1961!

Over the course of our 65-year history, we have fought to establish, expand, and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping shape the disability rights movement here in our counties from the very beginning.

Explore the many hard-earned advancements our chapter has helped make possible in areas like education, community life, and more. Click here to see how far we’ve come.

We are proud of all that has been accomplished, and, as we all know, the work is far from done. Right now, our focus stands firm on protecting and expanding upon these crucial advancements—especially amid ongoing challenges like state budget cuts and changes to the systems that are essential to our community.  

If you are able, there has never been a more pivotal time to take action together with a gift. 

Now through December 8th, all donations are boosted. Join us today!

RSVPs Are Open for Our Holiday Open House!

Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate—we want to see you at this year’s Holiday Open House! Join us any time between 4 pm-7 pm on Monday, December 7th at our office to partake in the festivities.

This free event is for the whole family. Enjoy light refreshments, fun activities, and holiday cheer galore! RSVPs are open now, so get a headstart on your holiday plans by clicking the button below to let us know you’ll be there and to learn more.

Please RSVP by 11/30

The Latest on Long-Term Services & Supports

In 2025, more than 20 changes to Colorado’s Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) system were proposed by the state’s Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to offset federal Medicaid cuts and state budget challenges. These changes have had a big impact on our community, affecting many of the supports that ensure people with disabilities can receive the care they need and engage with their community.

Stay up to date on the changes that affect you! On our website, you'll find a list of every change that’s being implemented as part of this effort and more information about each, including:

• The timeline for each change
• Who is affected by each change
• How to request an exception for a small number of select changes

We continue to update this page frequently, so check back often to stay current on the changes that impact your services.

Importantly, in addition to these cuts, more cuts to Colorado’s LTSS system are on the horizon. HCPF is weighing potential policy changes that will help the department continue to address financial sustainability concerns. To learn more about the cuts that are being considered, future opportunities to give feedback, and more, visit the HCPF website here.

Help Us Create New Programs for Teens & Young Adults

We want to do more to include teens and young adults with IDD—and we need your help!

If you are a self-advocate age 14-30, we’d love to hear what kinds of programs and activities would be fun and interesting for you. Help us by taking our short online survey for teens and young adults with IDD, where you can share the types of activities you enjoy, the topics that matter to you, and more. The survey should only take about five minutes to complete, and your responses will be a huge help to us as we develop new programs and activities for younger self-advocates!

Thank you for helping us shape something new—with you, not for you.

This Weekend: Fall Into Love IDD Speed Dating Event

Meet new people and enjoy fun conversations at Fall Into Love—an IDD Speed Dating Event held by the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC)!

This event for people with IDD ages 18 and up is a chance to enjoy short conversations with others in a relaxed environment—and potentially, find your person!

An optional dinner and drink package is available for $15, payable at the door. Purchasing food or drinks is not required to participate.

When: Saturday, November 7th, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Where: Jack’s Bar and Grill – 8565 Five Parks Dr #100, Arvada, CO 80005

Registration is requested so materials can be prepared. Click here to register.

Learn About Project SEARCH at Virtual Open House

Are you a student with IDD who’s ready to jumpstart your career?

Project SEARCH, a school-to-work transition program for people with IDD hosted at Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Hospital, is holding a virtual open house later this month. Prospective participants and their family members are invited to attend to learn more about what Project SEARCH is like and ask questions about the application process.

The free open house will take place virtually on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Click here to register.

In addition, click the links below to read more about Project SEARCH.

• Project SEARCH at Children’s Hospital Colorado
• Project SEARCH at University of Colorado Hospital

November Celebrations & Observances

From rallying support for people with disabilities like Ohtahara syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Aicardi syndrome, to celebrating the impact of family caregivers, November offers plenty of opportunities to support the entire disability community. Read on to learn more about this month’s celebrations and observances.

Assistive Technology Awareness Month: Nov 1-Nov 30

Whether it’s a screen reader, a wheelchair or power chair, or another assistive device, assistive technology makes the world more accessible for millions of people with disabilities. Assistive Technology Awareness Month is about celebrating and learning more about these crucial tools.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month: Nov 1-Nov 30

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures. Frequently, epilepsy accompanies an IDD, affecting those with IDD at a far higher rate than those without IDD. National Epilepsy Awareness Month is a time to stand with people who have epilepsy and advocate for increased awareness and support, with this year’s theme being “Where Community Sparks Hope.” International Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day and World Ohtahara Syndrome Awareness Day also take place during this month on November 1st and November 15th, respectively.

National Family Caregivers Month: Nov 1-Nov 30

Did you know that more than 60 million people in the US serve as caregivers for their family members with chronic health conditions and disabilities? Through their dedicated care and kindness, family caregivers provide vital support to people with disabilities. This month is a wonderful chance to honor family caregivers by joining the caregiver community in advocating for increased funding and support.

Aicardi Syndrome Awareness Day: Nov 8

Aicardi Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder associated with changes to or the absence of the corpus callosum, changes to the eye, seizure-like movements, and often, IDD. Aicardi Syndrome Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness of the condition and rally support for those affected and their families.

People First Meets Tonight

• Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• The Arc's Office - 13949 W. Colfax Ave, #102, Lakewood, CO 80401

Learn more about People First here. For any questions, please email info@arcjc.org.

We hope to see you there!