Concern for Our Neighbors Hurt by the Fire- and Concern for Your Safety Too | |
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While it has been said many times recently, we too must echo how saddened we feel for our neighbors in Boulder, Superior and Louisville who lost their homes, sense of security and neighborhoods due to the Marshall fires. The many impacts are difficult to fathom.
When the fires broke out, DDRC, along with Alliance Colorado and others, offered support to area IDD providers and to Imagine! - our counterpart CCB in the Boulder area serving people with disabilities. Then, and now, we stand ready to assist as we can, helping to locate resources and being open to problem solving. The incredible outpouring of help offered by Jefferson County, area first responders, Community First Foundation, Chambers, Alliance Colorado and the many other groups and individuals across the state who stepped up to help or donate makes us grateful to live in Colorado.
Because health and safety are so important to DDRC, we want to encourage everyone to proactively sign up for their city/county emergency alert notifications. The Marshall fire, and other disasters and emergencies, show the importance of fast communication and action.
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For a cell/mobile phone, you must “opt-in” to receive calls, text or emails alerts. You must specify your mobile phone carrier (e.g., Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) and choose what alerts you want for your home or office location (e.g., fire, tornado, severe weather, floods or general alerts). Here are the websites to sign up in each of our 4-county service areas:
o Jefferson County uses the CodeRED alert system. Sign up with this CodeRED link:
More info: https://www.jeffco.us/473/Emergency-Notifications
o Clear Creek County Sign up with this CodeRED link.
More info: https://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/781/Emergency-Notification-System
o Gilpin County uses a system dubbed “Hyper-Reach.” Sign up with this link.
More info: https://gilpincounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=11107603
o Summit County uses “Summit County Alert”, serviced by CodeRED. Sign up with this link
More info: https://www.summitcountyco.gov/1149/Summit-County-Alert
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Thank you for caring about others, and as always, thank you for your support of DDRC. Stay safe and know that we wish you the best in 2022. | Learn How to Motivate Positive Behavior – Thursday, January 27 | |
Attention parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches and others: are you looking for a more effective way to motive positive behavior or cooperation from someone you care for or work with? The right approach can help! | |
DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team is hosting a free training to help attendees learn how to motivate positive behavior, applicable to many ages and settings. The class is based on Applied Behavior Analysis concepts and is conducted by DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team Manager, Zach Maple, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in this field since 2008.
The class will be held in-person on January 27, from 9 am- 3 pm, at DDRC offices at 11177 W. 8th Ave., Lakewood 80215. Due to Health Department COVID requirements, participants need to wear masks. If circumstances change, the class will be held virtually, and details will be provided to registrants in advance. Advance registration required: email your name and phone number to Zachary.Maple@ddrcco.com.
| DDRC Has Funds to Help Families - Apply Today! | |
DDRC’s Family Support Services Program (FSSP) has funds to help families living in Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin and Summit Counties with a child or adult family member living at home with developmental disabilities or delays. Funding helps with out-of-pocket expenses for disability related services not covered by insurance or another program. To apply, complete a “Most in Need” (MIN) form. Funding amounts vary across low, moderate and high MIN scores and most families quality for some level of support so don’t hesitate to apply!
We can reimburse you for covered disability services provided on or after 7/1/2021, or advance funds for the purchase of covered services or items prior to 6/30/2022. Receipts are required and funding is not guaranteed. A few examples of services or items that may be reimbursed include respite, therapies, adaptive items, medical dental copay/ deductible costs, counseling, therapeutic recreation, camps, classes, mileage reimbursement, bus passes for medical trips, and more.
To apply, visit: https://ddrcco.com/accessing-services/family-support-services or call your Resource/Service Coordinator. Call 303-462-6576 to have forms mailed to you. If DDRC has not already determined that your family member has a developmental disability, then ask to speak with an Intake Coordinator by calling 303.233.3363.
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Try Something New in the New Year | |
It’s a new year, and with it is a chance to explore new interests, make new friends or renew a commitment to be more physically active. One way to do that is through the offerings of DDRC’s Therapeutic Learning Connections (TLC) and Recreation program for people with IDD. Various activities offered each month allow participants to jointly experience the community or to be together while exploring their interests and specific needs through art, exercise, learning, outdoor activities, travel and more. There are in-person and virtual offerings. These services focus on goals and skills, like increasing knowledge or socialization, and help individuals learn about themselves, their communities, and each other. | |
In December, TLC hosted a Holiday Card & Cocoa Making class at Walters where participants crafted holiday cards for their friends, family, and coworkers; and then enjoyed hot cocoa while sharing the things they like to do during the holiday season. It was an opportunity to get creative, socialize and reflect on things that bring joy.
Upcoming TLC offerings include Special Olympics snowshoeing, visiting the Stock Show, book club, bowling and restaurant excursions, including one at the Denver Cat Company Café which helps rescued cats find good homes. Prior to participating, individuals need to visit with TLC staff to determine their needs, interests, emergency contacts and other information. Interested? Call TLC’s Terri Hulstrom 720-544-8152 or Cathe Shreck 720-544-8150.
You can also reach out to your DDRC Resource Coordinator to explore a wide variety of other provider possibilities too!
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Early Intervention Services Transition to Virtual | |
Important updates sent 1/4/22 from Early Intervention (EI) Colorado/the Colorado Office of Early Childhood (OEC): Effective immediately, it is recommended that all in-person EI activities (visits, evaluations, etc.) conducted by EI personnel (employees, contract providers, etc.) transition to virtual as soon as possible. Read the OEC/EI Colorado full communication.
Actualizaciones importantes enviadas el 1/4/22 desde Early Intervention (EI) Colorado / la Oficina de Colorado de la Primera Infancia (OEC): Con efecto inmediato, se recomienda que todas las actividades de EI en persona (visitas, evaluaciones, etc.) realizadas por el personal de EI (empleados, proveedores contratados, etc.) se cambien a virtuales lo antes posible.
Lea la comunicación completa de OEC/EI Colorado .
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Meaningful Gifts Make a Truly Touching Impact | |
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In December several groups and people, moved by their generous hearts and “can-do” spirits, organized holiday fundraising drives and gift card and item donations. Each of these efforts made a positive impact on the recipients: people served by DDRC, their families and their caregivers, identified with the help of DDRC Resource Coordinators and A Better Choice staff. Gift items and many gift cards to King Soopers, Walmart and Target valued at $25 were distributed, bringing smiles of appreciation and touching recipients in meaningful ways.
The family of a young man with developmental disabilities has been in dire straits due to the mother having MS and having difficulty covering health care costs. The gift cards were used to purchase items of necessity. This mom cried when she was told they would receive the gift cards. Another family with an adult child with disabilities living at home also has other family members with severe health problems. The Target card will allow them to get some things they could not afford before the holidays, and they were delighted.
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A person served by DDRC, and their sibling received donated gift cards. This is the only thing they receive during the holidays and the entire year. They have no other family support and were very happy for the kindness of strangers. They were struggling prior to DDRC’s A Better Choice’s involvement with them, and DDRC staff took them shopping so they could purchase something for the holidays.
Another person served by DDRC was pleasantly surprised to receive a holiday gift card. He is often financially strapped, so the gift card was a relief for him. He purchased some items for his dog, a very selfless act on his behalf. He said to tell the people who donated the money for the gift cards that he is very thankful.
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The Holiday Open House Drive-By event, organized by DDRC Board member Mary Ann Tillman along with volunteers Becky Shreck, Jill Polito, Amanda DiVito Parle, and Layne Mielke, generated over $11,000 including online donations, cash, and checks, in addition to the gift card contributions.
The Masons, a fraternal order, also collected money for gift cards, through the dedicated efforts of Mason Grant Sanders, raising $3,825 in donations from the Marquis de Lafayette Lodge #41, the Paul Revere Lodge #130, and other generous individuals associated with the Masons, including Lincoln and Sherry Soul and Dee O’Kelly.
But that’s not all! Volunteer Lynn Fiedorowicz also hosted a gift drive, and her friends and guests donated movies, board games, and puzzles to provide indoor entertainment as well as gift cards, and volunteer Ruth Probasco donated “care bags,” clothing, activity books and more.
A huge thank you to all these volunteers and contributors!
| Great Gratitude For Your Giving | |
DDRC is so grateful to our community for your support on Colorado Gives Day! On December 7th, 148 donors said “YES” to creating opportunities for people of all abilities and contributed a total of almost $76,000!
Thanks to these donors, Community First Foundation, and supporters of the Incentive Fund, DDRC accessed an additional $2,230 in support of our mission!
Thank you to everyone who donated and cheered us on, on Colorado Gives Day and all through 2021.
Your support makes the difference in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the community.
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Set Your Email Preferences for Emails from DDRC
DDRC sends important information via this “Constant Contact" email platform, including information about your services and supports, announcements of emergencies (e.g. operations during Coronavirus), events, donor opportunities and more.
Please do not unsubscribe from Constant Contact emails since our communications will be restricted to U.S. mail and will take longer to get to you. If you prefer not to receive e-newsletters, invitations or donor opportunities please use our “Online Form” to indicate that you do not want to receive such emails, but that you are open to receiving official notifications (i.e. notices of your services and supports ) via Constant Contact. Thank You!
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