Colorado Lawmakers Take Swift Steps Toward More Police Accountability

In the wake of recent violence and resulting protests across the nation, Colorado legislators have been busy trying to find solutions for our state. With a desire to address long-simmering concerns about police accountability, especially when it comes to people of color, a bill has been created and passed the senate by an overwhelming majority. The Arc-JCCG, and all Colorado chapters of The Arc, stand with our community and have signed on in support of the bill. CLICK HERE to read about it.
Last Day to RSVP for Annual Meeting/ State of The Arc!

RSVP today for our annual meeting called State of The Arc, during which we provide a concise update for our members and for others in the community. It's an easy way to stay informed about the State of The Arc, even during a global pandemic.

Wednesday, June 17th, 6:00 – 6:30 pm
State of The Arc Meeting (held virtually through Zoom)

Please RSVP by June 10. How to RSVP:

After we receive your RSVP, you will receive instructions for how to join the meeting. Everyone is welcome!
Making Information and Technology Accessible

For six months, and at no cost, JFK Partners is sharing a tool designed to make information and technology more accessible. The tool, an Emergency Response Desktop Suite (ERDS) is available to 500 Colorado adults with developmental disabilities.

The ERDS:
  • Provides accessible information about the coronavirus and how to stay well
  • Empowers people with new ways to stay in touch with others
  • Encourages people to connect with the community

The ERDS makes information more accessible and computers easier to use by:
  • Simplifying navigation of a computer
  • Providing pictures or videos to inform, teach tasks, and support independence
  • Making email accessible with a text reader and audio recording feature
  • Including video conferencing through Skype
  • Sharing ways to relax and to have fun from home

The ERDS is available to Colorado adults with developmental disabilities who:
  • Participate in advocacy with Speaking For Ourselves - Colorado, or who
  • Do not live with family, or who
  • Are living with family temporarily because of the coronavirus, and
  • Have an email address and an internet connection, and also
  • Have a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer with Windows 10, or an Apple computer with a Windows compatibility layer

CLICK HERE to get the Emergency Response Desktop Suite and complete the engagement form. If you have questions please contact Joelle Brouner at [email protected] or Shea Tanis at [email protected] .

This project is made possible by grant 1901COSCDD-02 from the US Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living and an investment from the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. 
Protecting the People We Serve

The Arc's office has been closed since March 13, when it became clear that the people we serve, those with intellectual & developmental disabilities, were more vulnerable to COVID-19. Now that time has passed, and there is comparative data, we see just how much more vulnerable our community can be, and we are glad that we've been cautious about reopening our doors.

National Public Radio (NPR) conducted an analysis of numbers obtained from two states that have been collecting data. This data shows that people with intellectual disabilities and autism who contract COVID-19 die at higher rates than the rest of the population. People with these disabilities also contract the virus at a higher rate, according to research looking into group homes across the United States.

In Pennsylvania, numbers obtained by NPR show that people with intellectual disabilities and autism who test positive for COVID-19 die at a rate about twice as high as other Pennsylvania residents who contract the illness. In New York, the state with the most deaths from COVID-19, people with developmental disabilities die at a rate 2.5 times the rate of others who contract the virus. CLICK HERE to read the full NPR story.

Because w e are fully dedicated to your safety, we will continue to monitor the data regarding COVID-19, and we will carefully weigh the risks to the people we serve before deciding to reopen our office. You are too important for us to take any chances!
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) General Stakeholder Meeting

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a technology used to verify that home or community based service visits occur. The purpose of EVV is to ensure that services are delivered to people needing those services and that providers only bill for services rendered. EVV typically verifies visit information through a mobile application on a smart phone or tablet, a toll-free telephone number, or a web-based portal. CLICK HERE to read more about EVV.

Please join the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) for the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) General Stakeholder meeting. This meeting is open to the public and anyone potentially impacted by EVV is encouraged to attend. Collaboration between the Department and stakeholders is essential for the implementation of EVV. At this meeting, the Department will discuss the latest project updates and top questions from stakeholders.  

EVV General Stakeholders Monthly Meeting (virtual/phone meeting only)
 
Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 AM - 12 PM MDT
  
Call-in Information:
Local: 720-279-0026, Toll Free: 1-877-820-7831, Participant Code: 982280#
 
To join the meeting, CLICK HERE o r type into browser: https://cohcpf.adobeconnect.com/evvco/
 
 
Please check the EVV Stakeholder Workgroup web page to access the agenda and presentation slides for the June EVV General Stakeholder meeting. The presentation slides will be posted prior to the meeting date. Previous meeting presentations and audio transcripts are also available.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities . Please email the Department's 504/ADA Coordinator prior to the meeting to arrange.
Webinar for Self-Advocacy Orgs

Inclusion International announces an important webinar:
Strategies to Protect Our Rights During and After COVID-19

Thursday, June 11th, 8:00 AM Mountain Time

During this webinar we talk about the following:

  • Are self-advocacy organizations working with governments or decision-makers?
  • What resources are self-advocacy organizations creating to support self-advocates?
  • How are self-advocacy organizations sharing stories about the situations of people with intellectual disability and their families? What difference is this making?

There will be short presentations by multiple speakers followed by a discussion. Space is limited. CLICK HERE to register.
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.