IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #43 Rob DeHerrera
  • Summit of Hope Is Only Two Weeks Away!
  • Two Director Of Child & Family Advocacy Positions Open
  • Governor's COVID-19 Announcements
  • Free COVID Testing Is Easier Than Ever
  • Webinar: Down Syndrome And Alzheimer’s Disease
Rob DeHerrera #43

Making an impact. That’s the goal of Rob DeHerrera, Executive Director of Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC). He’s not your typical executive director—he’s someone who is truly humbled by the position he has achieved, and who still gets goosebumps when he introduces himself as the head of the organization.

As the leader of DDRC, the community-centered board serving people with intellectual & developmental disabilities in our area, Rob is proud of the wide variety of life-changing services it provides. “When I became Deputy Director, I got to oversee the Early Intervention program, and in order to learn as much as I could about it, I went with a therapist on a full day of visits,” he said. “It was one of the most powerful experiences that I’ve had at DDRC but also in my life, seeing how comprehensive our services are and seeing the impact. To think that happens every day is incredible.”

Rob is deeply loyal to DDRC’s mission, and he uses his voice to make an impact in many ways. One way is educating legislators and policy-makers as they create laws and regulations that affect people with IDD and their families. Fortunately, he’s involved in top-level negotiations with state departments like Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) and Department of Human Services and has lots of opportunities to give voice to the people served by DDRC, many of whom are supported by our chapter of The Arc, as well.

Rob is dedicated to fighting for sufficient funding for services for people with IDD. He began at DDRC in 1997 as Assistant Director of Finance, so he understands the world of money. As his role evolved into CFO, then Deputy Director and ultimately Executive Director, he has proven that his knowledge of service provision and passion for building brighter futures for people with IDD go far beyond the dollars.

In addition to keeping himself informed and taking part in important negotiations in our state, Rob says that rest is “reading the tea leaves.” He’s talking about looking for signs of what the future might hold for those who depend on DDRC services, and also trying to be prepared for whatever comes our way.

Speaking of an unpredictable future, the COVID-19 pandemic was a surprise that has disproportionately affected people with IDD and their families. Rob and our Executive Director, Lori Ropa, quickly teamed up to protect our community. They formed a plan for a vaccine event for the people we serve, and brought in partners STRIDE and Jeffco Public Health to make it happen. In early spring of this year, and in record time, the vaccine event, Protecting and Connecting our Community was held in Lakewood, and more than 400 people with IDD were vaccinated.

Rob also strives to make an impact on a very personal basis. As an example, for a long time, a man would come to visit DDRC every day, and he would ask Rob, “Where’s Karen?” It was touching and fulfilling for Rob to be able to connect this person with Karen each day, since Rob could see it was an important ritual for him, and he reflects on that story often.

At The Arc, we are grateful to have a trusted partner in Rob and in DDRC, as both our organizations do our very best to serve and support people with IDD and their families. We honor Rob and his shining voice as he uses it to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities. To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE.
Summit Of Hope Is Only Two Weeks Away!

Have you registered for your virtual session? Sign up now and join us for half an hour of inspiring stories, fun with the Street Team, and powerful messaging. 
 
CLICK HERE for a sneak peek of the 2021 Summit of Hope!

Join Us! October 14th Online - RSVP Today! CLICK HERE
 
It is easier than ever to attend Summit of Hope with our virtual format. You can attend from anywhere you have internet access, and the best part is that you don’t need to dress up or even leave your house! With two different event times, you choose the time most convenient for you.
 
Here’s how it works!

  • Click on the RSVP link and select the session you prefer (both sessions will be the same)
  • We’ll send you a reminder with a link prior to the event
  • Join the Zoom session a few minutes before the start time
 
Your support of this event ensures that we’re able to help every person with IDD who seeks our advocacy and other life-changing programs. If you are able, please consider making a gift during Summit of Hope. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.
 
More info on Summit of Hope 2021 is available CLICK HERE. We can't wait to share this event with you!
Two Director of Child & Family Advocacy Positions Open

The Director of Child & Family Advocacy positions offer a real, hands-on way to positively influence our IDD community while working for an organization that values every staff member. If you or someone you know is qualified, apply today!
 
Director of Child & Family Advocacy - Two Openings
 
In response to the ever-growing need for advocacy for children and families, The Arc needs TWO new Directors of Child & Family Advocacy. Could you be one of them?
 
Our two new directors must have a passion for ensuring that all children have full access to our community and everything they need to live their best lives. They must be able to meet parents where they are on their journey, and to empower them to be their child’s lifelong advocate, while at the same time encourage parents to listen to their children’s voices as well.
 
The foundation of the Child & Family team is to educate and equip families with information on to how to navigate different systems, including private and public healthcare, financial, public education, behavioral health, recreational, and other community access.
 
In addition, the Child & Family Team serves on community committees to represent the needs of people with IDD and the team also provides relevant training & outreach to parents and community stakeholders. This position requires working collaboratively with all staff to continuously strengthen and improve the effectiveness of The Arc’s programs across the lifespan (i.e., birth through end of life).
 
For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE.
Governor's COVID-19 Announcements
State offers community vaccination sites & launches an at-home testing program

The pandemic has been with us for more than 18 months now, and gratefully there are more resources than ever to help fight back. Governor Polis recently updated Coloradans on the state’s response including new vaccination and testing options.
 
The report indicated that the counties with the lowest vaccination rates are reporting the highest ICU capacities. To help control the spread of COVID and save lives, the state has increased vaccination sites and provided an overview of how booster shots will be administered to those eligible. People in nursing homes started receiving boosters this week and the state has the infrastructure in place to immediately start administering boosters once the FDA approves it for additional age groups – currently it is approved for those 65 and older.
 
If you are seeking a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, the closest community vaccination site to our service area is located at Southwest Plaza Mall in the parking lot near Dillards. It is a drive-up site and operates every day from 10 AM – 7 PM – no appointments are required. Additionally, you can get your first, second or third (if qualified for a booster) vaccination at any of the more than 1,600 vaccine providers in the state. CLICK HERE for more information on vaccination sites, and CLICK HERE for more information about COVID vaccines.
 
Remember, the COVID vaccines are free and you are not required to have insurance.
 
It was also announced that Colorado has a new at-home testing option sponsored by the state. The state has purchased 2 million rapid tests for individuals to use. See the next article about at-home COVID testing for all of the information.
 
“I’m proud that Colorado has the sixth-lowest COVID-19 rates in the country, but in order to lower that even further and effectively end this pandemic, our state must always have a comprehensive approach to combating this virus,” said Governor Polis. “The virus is not tired of us, Coloradans, so we must use every tool in the toolbox to defeat this pandemic.”
Free COVID Testing Is Easier Than Ever

Here's a test that you don't have to study for! If you have symptoms of COVID, you should get tested immediately and isolate. So, what is the easiest way to do that? Free testing has always been available at sites like the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. But the hours are limited and test results can take up to 72 hours. So, while these testing sites offer more accurate results, it isn’t necessarily convenient. Now there is a free and easy at-home testing option from the State of Colorado.
 
You can receive free, from the state, rapid COVID over-the-counter self-tests, and they will be delivered directly to your door.

This program for residents of Colorado uses Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests. When you administer one of these tests at home, you will have results in 15 minutes.
 
To self-administer an at-home test, you must be able and willing to follow specific and exact instructions which include swabbing inside each nostril for 15 seconds.
 
Each order includes eight test kits. You can use these to test yourself or your children twice a week for four weeks. At which point you can order additional tests. Tests do not automatically re-ship every month.
 
For more information and to sign up to receive your free testing kits, CLICK HERE. If you want information on the more than 100 free state-sponsored COVID testing sites, CLICK HERE. For Jefferson County testing sites CLICK HERE.
 
As always, be safe and keep healthy.
Free Webinar:
Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices is bringing together a panel of expert researchers and practitioners in the field of Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. This panel will talk about current and future treatments, diagnostics and research on biomarkers.
 
This free Zoom webinar is titled, Updates on Biomarkers & Therapeutics for People with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease: What You Need to Know. While the subject matter seems a little weighty and complicated, it is actually designed to be useful to parents and families, providers, advocates, and others invested in the future for persons with Down syndrome.
 
If you register for the event, you will receive a link to a recording of the event for future reference. Consider joining this webinar on Thursday, October 7 from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM MST. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.