IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #5 and #6
  • Vaccine Hotline And Registration Information
  • Training Opportunity: Smart But Scattered
  • Training Opportunity: Step Up! Into Life After High School!
  • Openings On State Boards & Commissions
  • Take A Little Trip
Joan & Diane Jurann - Voices #5 and #6

This week we are featuring TWO voices that shine – the Jurann sisters. Joan and Diane have both been involved with The Arc for many, many years. In fact, some might say that it wouldn’t be an Arc event if one or both of them weren’t there.
 
Currently serving as President and Vice President of People First of Jeffco, respectively, the Juranns have held various leadership positions in self-advocacy groups over the years. Both have won SPARC Awards from our chapter for their contributions to increasing awareness of people with I/DD and for using their strong, confident voices to promote the self-advocacy movement. 
 
These two hard-working and accomplished women have held long-term jobs, with Joan working for 17 years and Diane for 19 years.
 
Joan, the older sister, says she “loves feeling respected” at her job, while Diane says that she loves “helping people.”
 
Using their experienced and powerful voices to advocate for themselves and their peers, they help create a more just and welcoming community. And, they do so while maintaining a cherished sisterhood with each other, and being shining examples of how much people with I/DD can achieve.
 
For more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE.
Vaccine Hotline And Registration Information

We get it. There is a lot of information out there about how to register for and get the Covid-19 vaccine. To try to simplify the process for you, we want to share some resources and general information.
 
Perhaps the most useful new resource is a new vaccine hotline dedicated to helping people figure out how and where they can sign-up to get the vaccine. This number is now operating 24/7 and is free.
 
Call 1-877-CO-VAX-CO (1-877-268-2926)
 
The phone number will be especially useful to those who don’t have computer access, don’t know how to use the Internet, don’t have good Internet connections, or are struggling to register online.
 
If you have Internet access and the ability to register online, here are some hospital system resources that will allow you to sign up for a vaccine or get on a waitlist. By the way, you might want to register for multiple lists and go with the one that contacts you first.
 
  • UC Health: If you do not have a My Health Connection account or are new to UC Health, you can sign-up to be placed on a list to receive the vaccine. Otherwise, they are already contacting 70-and-up patients. CLICK HERE or call 720-462-2255
  • Denver Health: Similarly, Denver Health is doing outreach to patients. You can also sign up for MyChart CLICK HERE or call 303-436-4949
  • Centura Health: In addition to reaching out to patients through their patient portal, Centura is working to make the vaccine available to everyone in the community, even if they’re not patients. CLICK HERE or call 866-414-1562
  • Kaiser Permanente: Members and non-members can sign-up on the Kaiser’s website CLICK HERE or call 1-855-550-9051.
  • SCL Health: SCL patients and anyone 70 and older can visit SCL Health’s website CLICK HERE or call 1-833-762-0141
  • HealthOne: CLICK HERE to sign up on HealthOne’s website or call 303-453-2477
  • Salud Family Health Centers: CLICK HERE to visit their website and schedule a visit
  • For more detailed information on these and other vaccine providers, CLICK HERE
 
Unsure of when you will be eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine? CLICK HERE to see the entire vaccine schedule, as of February 1, 2021.
 
Remember, no government ID or other identification is required to get a vaccine. There are also no restrictions on getting a vaccine only in the county or area where you live – you can travel to different areas in Colorado to be vaccinated.
 
Finally, according to the CDC, there is no cost for the vaccine doses purchased by the U.S. Government. Providers can charge an administrative fee for giving you the shot but, the providers should get reimbursed through the patient’s public or private insurance. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are ALL required to cover the cost of Covid-19 vaccines. You cannot be turned away for your inability to pay for the vaccine.

CLICK HERE for more information from the State of Colorado.
Training Opportunity:
Smart But Scattered

This is a great FREE training opportunity for parents and families of children and teens who might need help with their “executive skills.”

Executive skills are brain functions that help us to accomplish goals, overcome challenges, plan and organize activities, and work to complete a task. I think many of us can agree that all of these skills have been a challenge during the pandemic and are extra critical to children learning right now.
 
Smart but Scattered:
Helping Children and Teens Strengthen Executive Skills
Thursday, February 25, 2021
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Register CLICK HERE
 
This training session will demonstrate how these skills develop in children and demonstrate strategies on how parents and families can help their children become successful learners. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
Training Opportunity: Step Up! Into Life After High School!
 
Step Up! Into Life After High School! is a free seminar series on planning for post-secondary transitions and is being put on by The Arc of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.

Geared towards young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) ages 15 +, their parents, family members, educators, and care providers, attendees will learn about topics related to post-secondary transition.
 
STEP UP! INTO LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL!
Pick a day or register for all three dates
Wednesday, March 17, 24 or 31, 2021
6:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Register by March 16, 2021 CLICK HERE
 
A 13-part video series will be emailed to all who register. The video series is designed to empower individuals, families, caregivers, and educators to plan for life after high school. It is highly encouraged that you watch as many of the video sessions as possible before the event.
 
Topics include:
  • Person-centered Planning
  • Private Insurance, Medicaid, and Waivers
  • SSI/SSDI and ABLE Accounts
  • Housing · Daily Life - Respite, Fun, and Employment
  • Supported Decision Making and Guardianship
 
The discussion and question and answer panels will dive deeper into the 13-part video series and allow you to ask questions. There is an option to pre-submit questions to the panel. The panel discussion will be an open format inspired by your questions. 
Openings On State Boards & Commissions

The State of Colorado is looking for qualified candidates to serve on hundreds of boards and commissions that oversee a large variety of subjects. These boards and commissions make a wide-range of decisions affecting day-to-day lives of Coloradans, including the I/DD community.
 
You can view all of the openings, CLICK HERE. However, a couple of the openings that are particularly relevant to the I/DD community are listed below.
 
Openings of Interest: 
  • Civil Rights Commission
  • State Board of Health
  • State Board of Human Services

Serving on one of these boards is a tremendous opportunity for you to help govern, give back, and make your voice heard. To apply, CLICK HERE.
 
If you have any questions, email Nikky Patel, Deputy Director of Boards and Commissions at gov_officeofboardsandcommissions@state.co.us
Take A Little Trip

It generally isn’t safe to take trips right now but that doesn’t mean that we can’t let our minds do a little traveling. This week’s trip is to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, a leader in ocean conservation and education.
 
Feeling stressed? The jellyfish cam is highly calming and hypnotic – sure to melt away your worries! If you can stream to your big screen TV, you are in for an extra special experience. CLICK HERE to see the “jellies” in action.
 
The aquarium has 7 different live webcams set-up where you can watch everything from dolphins in the open waters to sea otters to penguins. You can also tune in at specific times to see live narrated feedings. Here is the live feeding schedule:
 
  • Kelp Forest Feeding | Tuesday and Thursday | 12:30 PM MST
  • Open Sea Feeding | Daily | 12 PM MST
  • Penguin Feeding | Daily | 11:30 AM MST
  • Sea Otter Feeding | Daily | 2:30 PM MST
 
CLICK HERE for links to all of the live cams/live feeding cams and access to more information on the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Enjoy the trip!
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.