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 January 2023 News

Sandy, Austin and Others Are Helped - Because of You!

Pets provide us unconditional love and wellbeing, and this is true for Sandy, a person who receives services from DDRC’s A Better Choice department.

Sandy’s dog, now quite old, would be anxious when Sandy needed to leave the apartment, and would lose control and wet the rug. Sandy couldn’t afford dog pads and an indoor dog kennel where her dog could be kept when she left, and certainly she wasn’t going to give her soulmate away!  

Austin, another person receiving services from DDRC’s A Better Choice, also faced challenges. Due to family difficulties, Austin’s family had not been involved in his life for many years. Austin had a small apartment, and he slept on a makeshift hammock, which made for a tough rising when he got up for work.

To the rescue—DDRC’s Holiday Gift Card drive – funded by many generous donors! With funds from the gift cards, and caring guidance from DDRC’s A Better Choice staff, Bob Adams and Bruce Fritz, both these situations were improved. Sandy was helped to get an appropriate kennel and puppy pads, and Bob and Bruce helped find Austin a bed, and the gift card funds bought a nice sheet set. Sandy and Austin expressed great appreciation for their new living conditions and the gifts. 

More than 130 gift cards were gathered, valued at almost $3,300, helping to bring comfort and cheer to individuals and families served in DDRC’s Resource Coordination, Children and Families Services, Early Intervention, Quality Living Options, Adult Vocational Services, and A Better Choice programs.

Many people stepped forward to contribute to the Holiday Gift Card drive—too many to mention all of them here. Year after year, various lodges of the Masons, a fraternal order, have very generously donated funds for gift cards, and Mason Grant Sanders has led that charge with enthusiasm and caring! Grant is pictured here with DDRC’s Development staff as he delivered the gift cards. The Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis, Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lynn Fiedorowicz and the neighbors she rallied, Jack Lopez, Molly Balmes and many others also donated.

Their caring spirit brought many warm smiles!

Great Response to Other Donor Requests Too!

Besides the Holiday Gift Card drive, DDRC supporters showed their generosity during the 2022 holiday giving season by supporting our other fundraising initiatives, fulfilling our hopes and helping to provide opportunities that go beyond the limited support of Medicaid.

Our Annual Appeal was a success, as we were able to secure the full $25,000 match generously provided by the Mai Family Trust! Donations will be used to enhance the offerings of DDRC's Therapeutic Learning Connections/Recreation for adults.

We were also thrilled with our Colorado Gives Day fundraising results, achieved through donations and our share of the "incentive fund"! Proceeds will help in a wide variety of areas across DDRC. Thank you, to our Gives Day donors, to the Community First Foundation, to FirstBank for their corporate leadership, and to all the Gives Day partners who elevate the Gives Day season.

DDRC's Board of Directors News

DDRC's Board of Directors plays an extremely valuable role in helping to guide the direction of the organization. We are so fortunate to have their dedication and service! Board members represent family members of a person receiving services, appointees from the Jefferson County Commissioners and other nonprofits and governmental agencies, as well as interested persons from the business and general community.

As of January 1, 2023, a new slate of officers took the helm of the DDRC Board of Directors. After 18 years as President, David Pemberton has stepped down as Board President, but we are delighted to say he remains on the Board. Longtime Board member and former Treasurer Susan Hartley is now serving as President. Other officers include Joanne Elliott, Vice President; Jodi Schoemer, Secretary; and Matt Rotter, Treasurer. Learn more about these officers and ALL our wonderful Board of Directors here.

Motivate Positive Behavior - Free Training Jan. 11

With the new year, maybe you are thinking about how to make a fresh start with someone you care for or work with, in order to have more satisfying interactions. If so, take advantage of a free training by DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team geared to help attendees learn how to motivate positive behavior, gain understanding and encourage cooperation.

The training is applicable to different ages and settings, and uses real life examples to make the concepts more understandable and meaningful to participants. DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team Manager, Zach Maple, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Professional Counselor will lead the training.

This free class will be held in-person on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., at the DDRC offices at 11177 W. 8th Ave., Lakewood 80215.

Sign Up Today! Advance registration is required by emailing your name and phone number to Zachary.Maple@ddrcco.com. Please respond by Monday, January 9th.

Download the Flyer

Case Management Redesign Survey - Give Input by January 18

Case Management Redesign is coming, ultimately creating one agency in a service area to provide ALL waiver case management.

If you or a family member receive Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and/or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), then you are invited to give input into the attributes of the new Case Management Agencies that will be selected. Guardian or family members may help with the survey.

The survey is just 5 questions - taking only a few minutes to complete.

It closes January 18.

Watch for and Act on Medicaid Renewals

Notice for "Medicaid members:" people who receive Medicaid /Child Health Plan+

Once the Public Health Emergency (PHE) relating to COVID 19 ends, members will need to complete their financial redetermination paperwork to stay enrolled. Currently the PHE is effective through January 11, 2023, although the U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services may opt to extend it. Members will need to respond to letters (or emails) in order to see if they still qualify for Medicaid health coverage. During the public health emergency (PHE), members stayed enrolled in health coverage even if they have household or income changes. At the end of the PHE, many Health First Colorado and CHP+ members will receive a packet to renew their coverage. Members who fail to fill out necessary information may lose their benefits.

Even if the PHE is extended, it is wise to make sure you have correct contact information on file, including a current address, phone and email, if applicable. There are several ways to make these updates:

• Visit CO.gov/PEAK to update (you can set up an account if needed).
• Use the Health First Colorado app on your phone, for Health First Colorado and CHP+ members. Download it for free in the Google Play or Apple App store.
• CHP+ members can call 800-359-1991 (State Relay: 711). Help is available in multiple languages.
• Contact your county department of human services, or your DDRC Resource or Service Coordinator.

Helpful Changes for ABLE Accounts Are Now in Effect!

Big changes to Colorado ABLE are in effect as of January 1, 2023! ABLE accounts are savings accounts for people with disabilities. They help you save money without losing federal benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. Individuals with disabilities are eligible to have an ABLE account if they meet certain requirements, such as being entitled to SSI or SSDI because of their disability; and their disability was present before age 26.

Changes to Colorado ABLE accounts include:

- Medicaid can no longer take money back from an ABLE account after a person passes away.

- A person other than the individual with a disability can now open and administer an ABLE account on behalf of a person with disabilities.

- Enhanced tax benefits for Colorado ABLE savings accounts-- dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for contributions made into a Colorado ABLE account.

For more information about eligibility requirements, how the accounts work, and how to open an account visit: https://www.coloradoable.org/

Child Care Subsidy Available - Apply by Feb 15 

Are you newly employed, or enrolled in school or job training, and in need of help paying for childcare?

There is a new program to help qualifying families of young children ages birth to 8 years old who live in Clear Creek or Gilpin Counties. 

The Triad Early Childhood Council is excited to announce the availability of funds made possible by the Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) grant program. This funding will assist families by providing a three-month childcare subsidy. This subsidy provides graduated childcare funding for workers going back to work or school who do not qualify for CCCAP. All licensed and registered providers who are caring for recipients' children can participate with 100% of the cost being covered in the first month, 75% in the second month, and 50% in the third month. Guidance finding childcare is available.

The deadline to apply is February 15, 2023.

Download the flyer with the application link.

or more information see: www.triadecc.org

or contact brenda.hobgood@rrcc.edu or call 303-895-0633.

Work With Purpose - We Are Hiring

Your time is precious, so you want your career and workday to matter— to make a difference! Sound like you or someone you know? 

Vaccines and Non-emergency Transportation

Maybe it’s been a while since you got your COVID vaccine, but with winter and indoor activities, it’s wise to consider if you might benefit from a booster or even an initial vaccine. If you don’t have a way to get to your medical appointments, you may be able to get a free ride, available for Medicaid members for nonemergency medical care, like the vaccine.

Learn more about Covid-19 vaccine and boosters and where to find them here.

Learn more about transportation assistance here.

If you live in Jefferson County, call IntelliRide at 855-489-4999 (toll free) (State Relay 711), or go to Gointelliride.com/Colorado. If you live in Clear Creek, Gilpin or Summit Counties, call a local ride provider and see this list of local ride providers. 

www.ddrcco.com

Set Your Email Preferences for Emails from DDRC

People served by DDRC and their families:

If you have already indicated that you wish to only receive official notifications, we ask for your patience as we work to coordinate and update those preferences in the database over the coming months. Thank you!

DDRC sends important information via this “Constant Contact" email platform, including information about DDRC services and supports, announcements of emergencies, etc. 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.  Official notifications about services and supports may then still be sent via Constant Contact, unless you contact us to indicate otherwise. Thank You.