ARPA Project Pulse Newsletter |
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We are nearing the exact middle of Summer 2022 in the coming week and hope that everyone is enjoying (surviving!?) the warm weather. In the spirit of a "summer break" we are pausing our focus on a specific project category to featuring mini-profiles of the dedicated Department staff shepherding all of this important ARPA work forward behind the scenes. This is a newly assembled team specifically designed to help subject matter experts and project leads implement successful transformational change through this unique funding opportunity. We hope you enjoy getting to know everyone and look forward to being back at the end of August with some exciting project-specific updates!
-The ARPA Team
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Patrick Hackney
Special Project Supervisor
Office of Community Living
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
Several of my projects are looking at new and innovative ways to provide services to individuals with disabilities. I firmly believe these projects will further integrate people with disabilities and provide truly integrated opportunities at both home and work.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
Prior to working on ARPA, I worked for over 20 years in a variety of roles advocating for individuals with disabilities.
How do you like to spend a typical weekend in July?
Depending on the weather, I am going to spend at least some time fishing, grilling out, and hanging out with my two kiddos.
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Amanda Jacquecin
Grants & Special Projects Supervisor
Health Programs Office
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
Shifting payment for health care to focus on member outcomes not on services/units given
and providing more standardized results to members seeking Home Health/Private Duty Nursing services and saving clinical staff time by getting the process off paper and into a system.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
Back in the day, I was a bilingual Early Intervention worker for a Community Centered Board (CCB)! Recently, I spent time supporting grants that focus on Colorado families using SNAP (commonly called food stamps,) and Child Support Services. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was able to help primary care providers keep the doors open through an innovative funding model between the Department and local philanthropic foundations.
Finish this sentence - On Saturday mornings, you can usually find me…
ASLEEP till 10 a.m.! Then, hitting some hiking trails and being the last one down because of the late start.
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Sierra Schwieg
Project Support Administrator
Office of Community Living
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
I love being able to support initiatives that will be life changing to the community we serve. The teams working to make this happen are incredibly motivated and wildly determined to the success of these projects!
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
My background is diverse with over a decade of experience in both direct care and in case management and community health. ARPA was the perfect opportunity to not only expand on my passions but bring my experience to reach an even larger population.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I am an avid bowler! Maybe not exceptional, but the effort is there and I can bowl the same line every time.
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Tony Markus
Project Support Administrator
Office of Community Living
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
Working on so many Direct Care Workforce projects during a time when there is an unprecedented workforce shortage makes me feel like I am making a difference.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
I have managed projects for a health insurance/hospital system, expanding their services.
What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?
The number one thing on my bucket list is to one day have a house on the beach.
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Lindsay Reeves
Project Support Administrator
Health Programs Office
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
Behavioral Health in Colorado is going through great transformation to make imperative services accessible to the most marginalized populations. Having the opportunity to work closely with project teams to help Coloradans receive the care they need speaks to my personal and professional passions. The collaboration amongst the project teams, other state departments and stakeholders in local communities gives us a unique opportunity to invoke change with this once in a lifetime funding.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
Prior to ARPA, I have experience working in my local community to invoke change on large population health concerns, providing families with access to services and resources to increase self-sufficiency and ensuring members of the community have access to the care and services they need with a focus on equity.
Finish this sentence - On Saturday mornings, you can usually find me…
I am an adventurer and enjoy taking my Action TrackChair out into the mountains to explore, hike or fish. I also enjoy spending time on my boat during the summer and showing others how adventure can be accessible to anyone with diverseabilities!
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Phoebe Hawley
Project Support Administrator
Health Programs Office
Projects:
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
I love seeing how the team works together to improve Home and Community-Based Services for members.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
I have worked as a case manager, community outreach educator, HCBS service provider, and clinic manager. All these experiences offer a great foundation for the ARPA work.
Who is someone you admire and why?
The high school band director at my kid’s school, Kyle Freesen. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, he never stopped trying to engage the kids in music and led them to their strongest performing year in his tenure earning a state championship.
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Irina Tenenbaum
Strategic Outcomes Contract Manager
Office of Community Living
Projects:
- Any with a vendor contract
What is your favorite thing about the projects that you are working on?
For me, it simply feels great to know my daily professional skills contribute to the welfare of our community.
Tell us about the work you’ve done prior to working on ARPA.
Prior to joining HCPF, it was my pleasure to contribute toward local City and County of Denver revenue, through contract management work at the Denver International Airport.
What’s the best book, movie, or TV you’ve recently enjoyed?
I loved finishing the third Harry Potter book with my daughters just this month.
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33
Total number of Department staff leading ARPA projects
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58
Total number fully dedicated staff to implement ARPA projects
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Upcoming ARPA Stakeholder Engagement |
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To see all the meetings listed below on a calendar or to find meeting materials and recordings from previous ARPA-related Stakeholder Engagement, visit the ARPA Stakeholder Engagement webpage anytime. |
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Community First Choice (CFC) Council
The CFC Council collaborates with and advises the Department on the design and implementation of a CFC option in Colorado. The CFC Council consists primarily of individuals with disabilities, those 65 years or older, and their representatives to help ensure CFC is implemented in a way that best meets the needs of Coloradans with disabilities. All interested stakeholders are welcome.
All interested stakeholders are welcome. CFC Council meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., through May 2023. These meetings are open to the public.
The meeting will be held:
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT
Meeting Focus: Settings
Join via Phone:
1-260-230-1249, PIN: 719 313 221#
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Prader-Willi Syndrome Virtual Training Series
This dynamic and engaging four part series will provide person-centered insight and strategies to support people with Prader-Willi Syndrome to live happy, healthy, safe, and meaningful lives.
Description:
Training is provided by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA. Topics include Genetics and Medical Overview, Positive Behavior Support, and Life in the Residence/ Working with Families.
Attendance:
Advanced registration is required for each session (see links below). The training series will be recorded and made available here for future viewing.
Target Audience:
- Advocates
- Caregivers
- Children's Services Stakeholders
- Case Management Agencies (CMAs)
- Community Centered Boards (CCBs)
- Families
- Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Providers
- Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Recipients
- Hospitals
- Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Stakeholders
- Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Stakeholders
- Members
- Nursing Facilities
- Providers
- Single Entry Point (SEP) Agencies
Questions:
Training Sessions:
Prader-Willi Syndrome: Genetics and Medical Overview
Monday, Aug. 8, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT
Prader-Willi Syndrome: Positive Behavior Support
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT
Prader-Willi Syndrome: Providing Support with Dignity and Respect
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT
Prader Willi-Syndrome: Life in the Residence/ Working with Families
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT
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Webinar for the Disability, Older Adult, & Advocacy Communities
Topic: ARPA and Department Updates
An update for members, family members, and advocates on key projects within OCL. Interested stakeholders include advocates, caregivers, families, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) stakeholders, members, older adult stakeholders.
The next meeting will be held:
Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022
9:30 - 11 a.m. MT
Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257
Passcode: 396389
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Updates & Technical Assistance Webinar for LTSS Providers
Topic: ARPA and Department Updates
An update for LTSS providers about key projects within OCL and responses to recent frequently asked questions. Audience includes case management agencies (CMAs), community centered boards (CCBs), HCBS providers, nursing facilities, providers, and single entry point (SEP) agencies.
The next meeting will be held:
Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022
3:30 - 5 p.m. MT
Meeting ID: 993 1700 7314, Passcode: 396389
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257
Passcode: 396389
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Myths and Facts about Change to Case Management
Major changes to a system can mean major confusion. Let’s help put some of the rumors to rest! This Learning Collaborative will help anyone interested in sorting through facts vs. fiction about changes to case management as a result of the Colorado Case Management Redesign work. It is open to the public and will be most helpful for individuals and their families who are being served by a Case Management Agency today, as well as individual case managers and providers seeking to understand this important reform.
The next meeting will be held:
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022
1 - 2:30 p.m. MT
Meeting ID: 953 1233 0628, Passcode:838502
Join via Phone:
(Toll-free) 1-877-853-5257
Passcode:838502
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