Everyone Needs a Break  
Respite isn’t just for emergencies!  
 
When your friends ask you how you are faring, you just shrug your shoulders and say “fine” don’t you? We know you’re resilient and strong, but let’s face it, our world has changed, and you may be at a point where you need to take a break. 
 
What’s your plan for taking a break, safely and with peace of mind? It’s time to think about a plan  before you get too stressed out . Help is available. You do not have to manage everything yourself, nor should you. Caregivers need to care for themselves in order to care for others.   

To start developing your plan, do the following:    
  1. Think about what would be most helpful to you.   
  2. Call your case manager at your CCB, the agency that currently provides services for your family, or your Family Support coordinator. 
  3. Tell them what’s happening in your life and be detailed. 
  4. Ask them what resources are available to you.   
 
Don’t hold back information - help them to be able to help you! If you downplay the stress you are under, you may not get what you need. 
 
If you’re not successful with any of these calls, please call your chapter of The Arc. We’re here to problem solve with you and ensure that you have access to essential support. Everyone needs and deserves a break. When you get one, your loved one gets one too!  Thank you, Colorado Respite Coalition, for sharing the above quote on Instagram!
Don't Miss  State of The Arc

It's only 3 weeks away, so RSVP today! Join us for our annual meeting called State of The Arc, during which we provide a quick but important update for our members and for others in the community. Members, you ask? Who are The Arc's members and how do you become one?

Anyone who donates to The Arc is considered a member for one year from the date of the donation. We value our members and we make sure that they, and everyone else in our community, have an opportunity to stay informed about the State of The Arc.

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!  It’s during this annual gathering that the President of the Board delivers the State of The Arc address. Also at the meeting, outgoing Board members are acknowledged, and voting is conducted for new Board candidates and existing Board members considered for reelection. Only members of The Arc can vote. Whether you are a member or not, we hope that you will attend, and we look forward to receiving your RSVP!
Make a Difference by Being Counted

Every 10 years, households in the United States are asked to fill out the U.S. Census. After all, a lot can change in 10 years--families get bigger, or maybe they get smaller, and lots of people move. Census information is used to give out hundreds of billions of federal dollars to states and local communities for the next 10 years.  

The Census results are used to figure out how much money goes to programs like Medicaid, housing vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), education programs, and more. Lots of people we know depend on these programs. If you would like to see more information about how the Census affects communities, CLICK HERE.

Make a difference for yourself and your community by completing the 2020 Census. It's easy. It's important. It's fast. It's safe. All of your answers are private, meaning they are not shared. In fact, it is against the law for your answers to be shared!

Just for fun, post to our Facebook page if you have completed your census form. Feel free to include a funny photo or a joke in your post. No one said the Census couldn’t be serious and important without being FUN!
EMBRACE Workshop for Self Care
Achieve balance during unprecedented challenges

Calling all family caregivers, professional caregivers and healthcare professionals, as well as healers, therapists, nurses, doctors, hospice workers and social workers. This is a FREE 4-week online series, sponsored by the Colorado Respite Coalition, a program of Easterseals Colorado in collaboration with Lori Lemasters of Care Partners Resource and Consulting and Maria Borghoff of Rhythm, Art & Yoga.

The workshop is a unique offering of self-care support for people who GIVE so much. It will teach participants how to embrace the full spectrum of emotions we may be experiencing, so that it's easier to find ways to cope amidst an environment of constant change. It teaches how to accept that which is beyond our control using therapeutic writing, breathing, meditation and relaxation. Participants will create a self-care practice and cultivate a sense of balance in mind, body and spirit.
 
The 4-week online series will cover:
 
June 4:  Embrace Your Emotional Load
June 11: Embrace Your Physical Sensations
June 18: Embrace Your Mental Patterns
June 25: Embrace Your True Self

Each class takes place at 7:00 pm. Learn more and register by CLICKING HERE.  
Resources During Safer-at-Home
For more resources, visit our resource page HERE .

Jeffco Summer Grab-and-Go Meal Service Has Begun
Thanks to funding from the Jefferson County Commissioners, 11 sites are designated for the Summer Grab-and-Go Meals Program!

Starting today, Wednesday, May 27:

  • Meals will be served for all children 18 and under (no adult meals available)
  • Dates of service are May 27 - August 14, 2020
  • Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:30am - 1pm
  • Meals served include 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches per child at no charge 

Grab-and-Go Meal Sites for Summer 2020 (starting Wed, May 27):  
  • Alameda Jr/Sr High School
  • Bear Creek High School
  • Conifer High School
  • Dunstan Middle School
  • Golden High School
  • Jefferson Jr/Sr High School
  • Lakewood High School
  • Pomona High School
  • Summit Ridge Middle School
  • Wayne Carle Middle School
  • Wheat Ridge High School

 Comcast Offers 2 Free Months of Internet Access for New Customers

As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to make it easier to connect low-income families to home Internet.
 
  • New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they apply by June 30, 2020. After promotion, regular rates apply.

  • For all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service has increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.

  • Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. We are waiving this qualification for applicants who are approved by 6/30/20. After 6/30/20, standard eligibility rules apply.

CLICK HERE for more information and to see if you are eligible for this special offer.


COVID-19 Testing Sites for Individuals with Medicaid/Medicare & Individuals Who Are Uninsured

Colorado Nextcare Urgent Care (contact clinic prior to visit)
  • Multiple locations: Arvada, Aurora, Broomfield, Greeley, Longmont, and Thornton
  • Only offering curbside testing (patients need access to a car) 

Stride Community Health Center (no appointment required)
  • Multiple locations: Aurora and Wheat Ridge
  • Only offering curbside testing (patients need access to a car)

Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine (contact clinic prior to visit)
  • Multiple locations: Brighton, Lafayette, and Stapleton
  • Only offering curbside testing (patients need access to a car)

American Family Care Urgent Care (appointment required)
  • Multiple locations throughout Denver
  • Only offering curbside testing (patients need access to a car)

Rocky Mountain Urgent Care & Family Medicine (no appointment required)
  • Only the Lakewood location is offering testing
  • Offering testing in the clinic (patients do not need access to a car)

 Clear Creek Resource Center (appointment required)
  • Located in Idaho Springs
  • Only drive-thru testing for symptomatic residents of Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties

CLICK HERE to see Colorado's Public Health Dept map of testing sites.
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.