A Bright Way to End Our 60-Year Anniversary | |
The giving season shined brightly throughout November and December as many people stepped forward to give their time and treasure to DDRC. What a wonderful note upon which to end DDRC’s 6O-year anniversary! | |
Donors responded to our Annual Appeal to raise money for DDRC's Therapeutic Learning Connections (Recreation) program, and with the generous Mai Family Trust match, $61,000 was raised. Supporters donated $68,000 to DDRC during the Colorado Gives Day campaign. Contributions from our loyal and generous donors supplied 142 holiday gift cards to individuals who we serve, bringing smiles to those individuals and the staff who witnessed their delight! And longtime supporters, brought us many bags and backpacks filled with niceties, games, and the like, that will help people we serve find enjoyment throughout the year.
The Mrs. Claus Readings at the wonderful 6 & 40 Brewery fundraiser, with ornament making sponsored by Moonsterra Gold, was delightful, as was the pizza fundraiser at Beau Jo’s Arvada, along with the sparkling afternoon fundraiser at the Kendra Scott Jewelry. Each of these benefits helped to make the holiday season meaningful and helpful to DDRC.
We are so grateful for all the support and look forward to connecting with you during this new year, whether through our services, events, communications or partnerships!
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DDRC's Benefits Planning Helps Isaac and others “Work It” |
DDRC’s Benefits Planning service assisted Isaac, a person we serve, in moving from part-time to full-time work in the Information Technology (IT) field.
Such a move might bring up the scary possibility of losing benefits, but DDRC's benefits planning, through Lee Sylvester, works to help people find ways to make it work. Lee is a Credentialed Work Incentives Practitioner (WIP-C), authorized to provide benefits planning services through both the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation funding.
There are a wide number of benefits, from Social Security Disability Income, to housing vouchers, Low Energy Assistance (LEAP), Medicaid, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
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Isaac received work incentive-based benefits planning from DDRC Employment Services. By using this service, he was able to understand how he could keep the benefits and services he needed, such as long-term supports on the Medicaid Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver, even while working 37.5 hours a week. “So far, what I like about going full time is the ability to help the IT department by being there more time each week," he says.
Benefits planning can help you understand your particular circumstances, and options, and then produce a plan that works for you. This can help you be confident to pursue a job, while maintaining benefits and gaining the rewards that work has to offer. To find out how Lee might be able to assist you, email employmentfirst@ddrcco.com.
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Visit with DDRC Jan. 22 at the Jeffco Schools Special Education Fair | |
DDRC is excited to be part of the upcoming Jeffco Schools Special Education Resource Fair to share information about our many services that help families and their children with special needs, including students with disabilities transitioning into adult life.
The fair is Wed., Jan. 22 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Jeffco Education Center, 1829 Denver West Dr., Golden, CO. 80401.
Please stop by DDRC’s table to learn about our services.
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Our Pediatric ABA Behavioral Health services (for ages 3-20) help your child/student learn ways to successfully respond to stressors, and help parents reinforce the new behaviors.
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Our Support Services help individuals and families with daily living (cooking, cleaning, etc.) and respite.
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Unmet Needs Funding provides funding related to a person’s disabilities that go beyond typical child rearing and daily living expenses.
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Our Employment Services and Benefits Planning help people on certain Medicaid waivers, or working with Vocational Rehabilitation, to explore and obtain employment while keeping the benefits they need.
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Our Technology Supports offer training in the home, our lab, or in the community to teach technology skills and help participants learn to use devices and apps.
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Our Therapeutic Learning/Recreation Program gives adults and young adults opportunities for learning and exploring activities in a social context, throughout the day, evening, and weekends, and allows participants to register for what interests them.
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Our Day Programs provide activities for ages 18+ at our Lakewood and Arvada facilities, Mon.-Thurs, as well as small group experiences in the community that participants choose. Transportation is offered for some areas.
We offer other opportunities too. We would love to hear about your needs, answer your questions, and see how we could serve you! Please plan to attend the resource fair on Wednesday, Jan. 22 to visit with us.
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Exciting News for Our Family Caregivers | |
Since 2010, DDRC has been proud to offer family members the opportunity to be paid for caring for their loved ones with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This service has been available across many of our programs (also known as the HCBS waivers; DD, SLS, CES), giving families flexibility and choice in how support is provided.
Over the years, we have adjusted our approach based on new guidelines, ensuring we continue to deliver the best care. Historically, DDRC employed all family caregivers, regardless of which waiver their loved one used.
But starting January 1st, we are taking it a step further! In a move to offer even more flexibility, family caregivers providing residential services will now be able to contract with DDRC to provide these services. This update will allow us to remain at the forefront of innovative, person-centered services, ensuring families have the freedom and support they need to thrive.
We are thrilled about this change and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care in a way that works best for you. Find out more by emailing ixsa.shea@ddrcco.com
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Exclusively at Panda Express, Wheat Ridge - January 30 | |
Panda Express, at 5145 Kipling Street in Wheat Ridge, is supporting DDRC with a benefit on Thursday, January 30, from 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., when 20% of restaurant sales go back to DDRC.
Pandas, the logo of Panda Express, are native to China, and it so happens that the Chinese New Year is occurring around this date, so it’s a great time to enjoy orange chicken, honey walnut shrimp, a veggie spring roll or whatever you’d like. Come to enjoy this fast-casual American Chinese cuisine fresh from the wok while supporting DDRC. Yum!
To ensure your meal purchase counts toward DDRC, bring in a copy of the event flyer (see below) or show it on your phone. For orders online or when using the app, enter DDRC’s event code of 381229 in the fundraiser code box. Purchases of gift cards do not count towards the event. Download the flyer pdf.
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Elevate Self-Advocacy with DDRC's Confident Connections Series |
DDRC is offering a learning series called “Confident Connections” for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and providers.
This seven-part series, led by Erlen Marsh, Elevatus Training certified instructor, will help people with IDD explore topics of communication, consent, relationships, sexuality, social media and LGBTQ+ issues in a safe and welcoming environment. Everyone can benefit from understanding their feelings and these topics, no matter their abilities. Open conversations are essential for nurturing independence, self-advocacy, personal safety and healthy relationships.
To indicate your interest, for questions, or to register, email employmentfirst@ddrcco.com or call (720) 544-8122. We are determining dates for the series. Participants are encouraged to reach out now to have time to arrange their service units for participating in the class. Download the flyer.
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See What’s Possible at the PossAbilities Expo – Feb. 1 | |
The City of Lakewood is organizing and hosting their “PossAbilities Expo” on Saturday, February 1 from 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Whitlock Rec Center (1555 Dover St., Lakewood) and DDRC is excited we will be there to share the services and the opportunities we provide to help a loved-one, or you, live your best life!
The PossAbilities Expo is free, and for people of all ages and abilities. A wide variety of vendors, resources, and services for different abilities will be present to share what they do, including therapeutic recreation, adaptive sports, health care, funding sources, transportation and much more. See the event website here.
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Out in the Community - Contact Us to Connect
If you have a provider fair or community event where attendees may want to learn about DDRC, please let us know, as we are pleased to inform and share. Call 303.233.3363 or 303.462.6623.
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DDRC Hosted the Employment First Resource Fair
The early December Employment First Resource Fair brought a large and enthusiastic crowd to visit with organizations who highlighted the ways they support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to work in a career and lead a full life. DDRC’s Employment Services, Technology Services, Behavioral Health, and Recreation services were there. We were pleased that we had the capability and opportunity to be the event site host.
Kudos to the Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) and the Colorado Chapter of Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) for initiating and organizing this informative event!
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