IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #13
  • In My Shoes - DD Awareness Month All Month & Karaoke Night Tomorrow!
  • Help Us Welcome Our New Advocates!
  • Celebrate The Important People In Your Life
  • Home and Community-Based Services Access Act (HAA) Bill
  • It’s Officially Spring
George Giles - Voice #13

George is a long-time self-advocate who always greets people with a smile. He brings a spirit of independence and a respectful manner everywhere he goes, not to mention a great sense of humor.
 
When George was young, he turned people’s heads with his positive attitude and strong character. Although he’s retired now, George was always an exceptional employee who took his work seriously. He worked for many years at Elitch’s, and in 1994, he was named employee of the year and awarded $500!
 
These accomplishments are remarkable because people with disabilities were rarely recognized for their employment. But George wasn’t all work and no play! He liked to have fun like everybody else, watching pro-wrestling and listening to hours of music, especially Elvis, Joe Walsh, J. Geils Band, and disco!
 
A former member of People First, The Arc’s Outreach Advisory Council, and past president of Rocky Mountain Partners AKtion Club (a service club sponsored by Kiwanis International), George can be celebrated as a pioneer of the self-advocacy movement, and a voice that shines brightly.

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!
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month is nearing its end, but we still have some celebrating to do! 
 
First, our annual public service announcement (PSA), generously created by our friends at Jammin 101.5 and Hot 107.1 will play between 5-7 times a day across the two stations starting Thursday through March 31. Please tune into one of the radio stations to hear our PSA and enjoy some good music. If you miss it on the radio, CLICK HERE to listen.
 
Also, don’t forget about our final DD Awareness month activity:
Karaoke Night tomorrow!
Thursday, March 25, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

All are welcome to join us for music and fun.
You can sign up to sing or just watch.
Please email [email protected] if you’d like to attend.
CLICK HERE for more information on all of our DD Awareness Month activities.



Donna Gunnison would like you to know what it is like to be in her shoes. 

“I wish other people knew how challenging it can be to have multiple disabilities. Sometimes they collide with each other. Regardless, I just keep going, and if I my disabilities bring me down, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and go again.”

For the rest of this month, and all year, let’s try to put ourselves in the shoes of someone who has different abilities from our own. CLICK HERE for details and more information on how you can help with DD Awareness Month exposure.
Help Us Welcome Our New Advocates!

It is springtime and lots of things are growing back into all of their glory, including The Arc – JCCGC. For about a year, our team had two open advocacy positions that we were unable to fill due to budget cuts resulting from the pandemic.
 
We are pleased to let you know that we are once again able to fill these positions. We are delighted to welcome two new Directors of Adult Advocacy and Learning! These new advocates will work with adults with I/DD, and their families/caregivers, as they work with people to solve problems and reach their full potential.
Kelly King
Starting her work with people with I/DD in 2014, Kelly is excited to continue working alongside them as an advocate allowing them to explore interests, find community, learn about themselves, and look ahead into the future.
 
Originally from West Michigan and living in Colorado since 2012, Kelly spends her free time with family, going for bike rides, hiking with her two dogs, reading, and learning new things.
Ashly Ulrich
Ashly began working with people with I/DD in 2010 in a direct care capacity and was immediately inspired to be a more active part of the I/DD community. She enjoys working alongside people helping them set, reach for, and achieve their goals so they can thrive in their community.
 
In her spare time, Ashly loves to create art, cook, swim, and enjoys the beautiful Colorado outdoors by camping, exploring hot springs, and playing outside as much as possible during the warmer months.
It takes an exceptional person to be an advocate. It requires resourcefulness, adaptability, creativity, and a spirit of collaboration. There are often intense situations that take lots of persistence and patience to manage. Being an advocate is also a very rewarding position – nothing feels better than helping others build better lives and knowing you made a difference. Welcome to the team, Kelly and Ashly!
Celebrate The Important People In Your Life

Send a little love, mark an important milestone, or say thanks to someone who’s made a difference by making a gift to The Arc in their name during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
 
Make your gift in honor of someone special online, CLICK HERE, or by mailing a check. Be sure to include your honoree’s name and mailing address, so we can send a notecard (omitting the amount of your donation) to let them know they’ve inspired your special gift!
 
In addition to making your honoree’s day, your gift will help ensure that The Arc continues to help individuals with I/DD and their families build better lives!
Home And Community-Based Services Access Act (HAA) Bill

Home should be in the community with the services needed to thrive. For many people with I/DD, though, getting access to home and community-based services (HCBS) has meant waitlists, state-to-state restrictions and differences, and limited access.
 
After years of advocacy by The Arc for greater access to HCBS, we're thrilled to report that Congress just released draft legislation to make access to HCBS a reality for all. This pivotal piece of legislation called the Home and Community-Based Services Access Act (HAA) will be transformative. Developed with The Arc and other disability and aging organizations, it will fundamentally change how people with I/DD and older adults live their lives.
 
The HAA is a bill that will:
 
  • Eliminate waiting lists
  • Increase federal Medicaid funding to states for HCBS and provide additional grant funding
  • Address the direct support professional workforce crisis and ensure that the workers are paid a family-sustaining wage
  • Allow people to move from state-to-state and still be able to access crucial HCBS services
 
We need you to help us. There is still a lot of work ahead to get this legislation finalized, passed, and ultimately signed into law. It is a great opportunity to transform the system for generations to come. Learn more about this critical issue, CLICK HERE. To share your story, CLICK HERE.
 
Additionally, advocates have the opportunity to provide feedback. The authors of the Home and Community-Based Services Access Act (Sens. Hassan, Brown, and Casey, and Rep. Dingell) are seeking comments on the draft and specific feedback on the topics outlined in the memo. CLICK HERE to see the full memo. Comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] and are due April 26, 2021. You'll notice in the email address that comments will be sent to the senate's aging committee, but comments regarding people with disabilities can be submitted, as well.
It's Officially Spring

Spring is a blooming good time! Aside from the improving weather when snow turns to rain and cold days turn to warm, perhaps the nicest part of spring is the blooming of spring flowers. Tulip, daffodil, crocus, iris, and more make an early appearance and give us hope of warmer and nicer days ahead.
 
One of the most spectacular spring flower displays can be found in Holland with its annual bloom at the Keukenhof Park. Currently unable to be open to visitors due to the pandemic, it doesn’t matter to those of us in Colorado because we can visit virtually!
 
You can view fabulous videos and photos of the gardens, CLICK HERE. Learn how they plant and care for the bulbs, see aerial views of the gardens, and more, visit Keukenhof Park’s official website, CLICK HERE. Happy Spring!
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.