In This Issue:
  • Happy Hour Employment Mixer
  • Coffee House and People First
  • Family Schools Workgroup Survey
  • Caregiver Research Study
  • New Online Tool to Apply for Supplemental Security Income
  • Health Expanded Enrollment Assistance Funding Opportunity
  • Stress Awareness
Join The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties and The Arc Arapahoe & Douglas Counties on Wednesday, May 18th from 4 – 6pm at Brewability for a new kind of Employment Mixer!
 
This mixer is designed to bring together employers and potential employees who have an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (IDD). The goal is to give job seekers a chance to make connections and employers a chance to find new talent that is good for business. We’re also hoping to debunk some stereotypes about people with IDD.
 
We will be providing a non-formal (no resumes needed), non-job fair (no employer booths), casual happy hour with delicious pizza and drinks made by the capable, inclusive staff of Brewability, a model for inclusive employment for people with IDD. There will be a short welcome presentation, followed by eating, drinking, schmoozing, and breakout sessions. We’ll also provide research data proving that hiring people with IDD improves productivity, profitability and morale.
 
Who should come:

  • Employees with IDD who would like to share their experiences with employers who may not yet employ staff with IDD.

  • Job seekers with IDD who would like to meet potential employers and explore local resources for job seekers.

  • Employers who are considering inclusive hiring to bring proven benefits to their company or organization. They will have the opportunity to meet and talk with employees and job seekers of all abilities. There will also be opportunities to speak with employers already benefiting from inclusive hiring who can share their success stories. 
We’re back! In-person Coffee House gatherings are starting up again on April 21! Additionally, People First monthly meetings are also back in-person (you can still attend virtually). Here are all of the details you need to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

Coffee House
Where everyone is welcome and pretty much everybody knows your name. Come and make new friends, mingle with people of all abilities, and promote inclusion in our community.

Panera Bread
650 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Thursday, April 21, May 19, and June 16
5:30 PM to 7:00
No RSVP needed
 
People First
Self-advocates and advisors from The Arc meet to focus on making positive changes in our community and beyond, becoming stronger self-advocates, and supporting each other.

The Arc – JCCGC Offices
13949 W. Colfax Ave., Bldg. 1, Suite 102
Wednesday, May 4, and June 1
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
To attend virtually or by phone click here, and select the meeting you wish to attend to find the Zoom information.
No RSVP needed
We are looking forward to everyone’s bright and smiling faces being together again!
 
Survey: Seeking Input About Educational Services 

Parents, students, and advocates are being sought to provide insight and make recommendations on a model for educational supports beyond what is currently available in traditional classrooms.

Interested in providing input? Please click here - by this Friday April 15 - to complete a short survey developed by the Senate Bill 21-274 Facility Schools Model Workgroup. If you need further assistance, contact the Office of Facility Schools at [email protected]. 
Caregiver Research Study

UC Denver is conducting a study to understand the challenges caregivers experience during and after psychiatric emergency department visits involving children who are dually diagnosed. The goal of the study is to provide more resources for families once children are discharged.

Caregivers who participate in the study will be sharing information surrounding their experiences of their children’s psychiatric emergency department visits. This includes providing demographic information through an anonymous survey which will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
 
Click here if you want to take the survey. If you have any difficulty accessing the site or completing the survey, please contact Vicki at [email protected].  
Apply Online for Supplemental Security Income 


A new online tool to apply for Supplemental Security Income is available through the Social Security Administration.

Applicants can request an appointment online to apply for SSI benefits, resulting in a protective filing date that will be used as the application date, so long as the individual submits an SSI application within 60 days. Establishing a protective filing date is important because it determines when an individual can get SSI benefits. After the individual submits the request, the Social Security Administration will schedule an appointment to apply for benefits by phone and send notification of the appointment.  

More detailed policy guidance about the online tool can be found on the Social Security Administration website.
Funding Opportunity for Expanded Enrollment Assistance

Connect for Health Colorado, the state's official health insurance marketplace, is accepting applications to operate assistance sites and enrollment centers across the state.
 
Assistance sites provide staff who support their local communities with education, health insurance literacy and the enrollment process for Connect for Health Colorado’s marketplace as well as Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program.
 
New and returning organizations, as well as licensed brokers are eligible to apply by April 25. Interested applicants can find information about the funded and non-funded opportunities, as well as criteria for each partnership award at Connect for Health Colorado. For questions about the application or process: [email protected].
April is Stress Awareness Month 

“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.”
― Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming. Learning to cope with normal stress in a healthy way may help promote resiliency, according to the Center for Disease Control. Here are some ideas to help cope with stress, provided by The University of Colorado Boulder:

Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way may help promote resiliency. Here are some ideas to help destress, provided by The University of Colorado Boulder:
  • Breathe
  • Listen to music
  • Take a quick walk
  • Find the fun
  • Count backward
  • Stretch
  • Get organized
  • Do some yoga
  • Meditate
  • Cuddle with a pet
  • Chew gum
  • Sip tea
  • Laugh
  • Write it down
Numerous statistics indicate that just about everyone deals with stress at one point or another. Think about some ways to destress when you are overwhelmed. From time to time we all can use a reminder on methods to manage stress.