IN THIS ISSUE...
- Remembering Jennifer Pietranczyk
- 60 Voices That Shine - #17
- Virtual Event Next Week: Guardianship At Age 18
- Grief And Wellness: An Online Program
- #MedicaidCantWait – Call To Action For Medicaid Funding
- Survey On The Arc’s Core Values And Guiding Principles
- Free COVID Vaccine Clinic This Friday
- Champions For Children Virtual Event
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Remembering Jennifer Pietranczyk
Volunteers are The Arc’s guiding light.
We’re sad to share that our Outreach Advisory Council’s light has been momentarily dimmed by the passing of our valued volunteer, Jennifer Pietranczyk. Jenn was an active member of the Council since its inception in 2018, providing essential input for developing outreach programs at our chapter.
We have been fortunate to have her perspectives and opinions incorporated into our work, such as yearly campaigns and activities for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and her charismatic voice contributing to the Street Team, which changes people’s perceptions of people with I/DD by interviewing shoppers in Belmar.
We will miss her positive energy, her warmth, her laugh, and her commitment to life in the community for all.
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Jilda Falco - Voice #17
Working as Director of Adult Advocacy for The Arc – JCCGC since April of 2019, Jilda Falco is making an indelible impact on our chapter and the people we serve. Being an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is fulfilling for her because she wants people of all abilities to lead self-determined lives full of meaning and inclusion.
A New York native, Jilda Falco has lived in Denver for 10 years, serving the I/DD community the entire time. The Arc was fortunate to find her for her experience and compassion, but also for her fabulous sense of humor that makes any situation a little lighter.
Moving to Colorado was a wise move for Jilda because she loves the Colorado lifestyle of camping, gardening, running, and spending time with her dog. Her open heart and mind are brilliant complements to the mission and values of The Arc. That’s why she is this week’s Voice That Shines!
To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE. We've updated our slideshow with all new photos!
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Virtual Event Next Week: Guardianship At Age 18
If you have questions about guardianship after your child turns 18, join a rich conversation around guardianship, supportive decision-making, self-advocacy, as well as debunking some of the myths about guardianship that seem to persist.
Jeffco Schools is partnering with The Arc to host a virtual event where you will hear from experts in the I/DD field share resources and participate in a question and answer session on the subject of guardianship at age 18.
Guardianship at Age 18: What Is It and How to Decide If It’s the Path for My Child?
Thursday, April 29, 2021
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Note: This training will be recorded and posted for future reference
The target audience for this event is families of students 15 and older who want to learn more about guardianship and less restrictive decision-making alternatives. It also includes middle and high school SSN teachers and JTS professionals. For more information contact [email protected]
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Grief And Wellness: An Online Program
Sometimes you don’t notice how heavy your emotional load had been until it starts to lighten. Sometimes grief and sadness hit you right away and overwhelm you. Sometimes you try to ignore feelings of loss, anger and fear around grief.
Have you been experiencing grief? Do you feel sad about a loss in your life – like the loss of freedom due to the pandemic or the death of someone close to you?
If you feel like you need some ideas to help you deal with the grief around loss in your life or the implications of the COVID crisis this past year, then please attend a free webinar on grief and loss. This webinar is hosted by Colorado Spirit and The Arc – JCCGC.
Grief and Loss Online Program
Thursday, April 29, 2021
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The personalized and interactive program will support you and give you easy ways to move forward no matter what kind of loss you are experiencing.
To register for the Grief and Loss webinar, call Kelly King at (303) 232-1338 or email [email protected]. For more information on the Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program, CLICK HERE. For more information on Colorado Spirit, CLICK HERE.
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#MedicaidCantWait -
A Call To Action For Medicaid Funding
It isn’t often that such a big opportunity to help make a positive change comes along. Right now is one of those times and your voice is needed! People requiring care and services are stuck on waiting lists, the direct care workforce is underpaid, and unpaid family caregivers are having to fill in the gaps in service. And the COVID-19 pandemic has made these existing problems so much worse.
#MedicaidCantWait is an effort towards long-overdue support for Medicaid funding. For years, Medicaid has needed an update to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who rely on Medicaid. CLICK HERE for more information.
The Arc asks you to act now by telling Congress to support the Biden Administration's proposed investment in disability services as part of the COVID-19 economic recovery. Provisions include:
- $400 billion for the Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS)
- Increase in wages for direct care
- Creation of a national paid leave program
- Improvements to Supplemental Security Income benefits and asset limits.
It is really easy to help! Simply read the letter and sign your name to it, CLICK HERE. Once you complete the simple form, a copy will automatically be sent to your congressional representatives.
This is, perhaps, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve expanded Medicaid access and funding which will directly benefit The Arc community. Please consider signing today.
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Survey On The Arc's Core Values And Guiding Principles
Do you want to be a part of The Arc’s future? Do you have ideas about The Arc’s Core Values and Guiding Principles? Please say yes and be a part of the conversation! It is an opportunity to let your voice be heard.
As part of last year’s strategic planning process, input was gathered about whether The Arc’s Core Values and Guiding Principles needed to be revised. Based on that input, The Arc's Board of Directors decided in a meeting last year to move forward with a substantive review and revision.
Now it is your turn to participate in the process by responding to a Core Values and Guiding Principles survey.
In this survey, you will be asked for your ideas about how to revise The Arc's Core Values. You will also be asked what you think about some ideas that were suggested during the strategic planning process. The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
If you have any questions, contact Peter Burns at [email protected]. Let your voice be heard!
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Free COVID Vaccine Clinic This Friday
It has never been easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s because everyone over 16 is now eligible and supplies of the vaccine have been increasing.
This Friday there is a special vaccine event hosted by Atlantis Community, Advocacy Denver, The Arc of Colorado, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. If you haven’t already received a COVID vaccine and would like to get one, this is the perfect opportunity.
Vaccine Clinic
Friday, April 23, 2021
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
201 S. Cherokee, Unit 100, Denver (near Alameda and I-25)
You must register for both the first and second doses through separate registrations. This will be the Moderna vaccine with the two doses given four weeks apart. If you need assistance with registration, call Melissa at (303) 974-2527.
Special notes: Everyone is required to wear a face mask. Please wear a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt. Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. You must also observe a 15-minute observation time after your vaccine. Your total time at the clinic will be approximately 30 minutes.
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Champions For Children Virtual Event
Honoring essential workers has gotten a lot of attention during the pandemic. Their contributions during the pandemic have been vitally important. This year’s Champions for Children virtual event is paying special honor to essential workers that have supported and continue to support children and families in our communities.
The event’s special guest is Judith Heumann, a lifelong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community. Attendees will also hear from Ian Watlington, a Denver native and acclaimed advocate and policy wonk now living in Washington, D.C. Together they will discuss Judy’s journey with exclusion and inclusion, and address several issues pertinent to education and parenting.
Virtual Champions for Children Event
Friday, April 30
11:50 AM – 1:00 PM
The Champions for Children virtual event supports the work of Sewall Child Development Center, a leader in providing inclusive early childhood education and intervention to young children throughout Denver.
For more information or questions, please contact Paige Heagle, 303-399-1800 ext. 139 or [email protected].
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The Arc IS OPEN - OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED (UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)
In an effort to protect our clients, staff, board, volunteers and community members, The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties physical offices will be closed effective immediately (Friday, March 13) until further notice due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Please note that services will continue to be provided, as staff will be working remotely and communicating via phone, text and email. All in-person meetings, events and scheduled trainings will be canceled or postponed. When our physical offices reopen, our website and social media platforms will provide such information. CLICK HERE for more information.
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