A Special Kids Special Families E-Newsletter
to promote, strengthen & support individuals with disabilities,
their families & caregivers within our community
JANUARY 2021
Dear Friends,
In 2020, our programs have been challenged with the COVID-19 pandemic. We haven't stopped serving the community, but rather we changed the manner in how we are doing business. Fortunately, Zach's Place has taken the challenge to provide essential services in child and respite care in our community without having to close our program. In 2020, we surpassed our goal at providing over 27,000 hours of care! We are so happy to know that you are supporting our organization as we continue to serve our families.

Wishing you all a safe and prosperous NEW YEAR!

Sincerely,

Linda Ellegard
SKSF Founder & Executive Director
Giving Gifts and Giving Hearts
"It was a heartwarming and a wonderful experience to see my daughter sooo excited when you came to our house to give your Christmas gift to her! Her expression and excitement I will remember always!"
Vanda Shelton, Guardian
Due to the pandemic, Special Kids Special Families had to change the way we celebrated the holidays. Normally we would have a big party, with lots of food, invite Santa and pass out gifts to all adult clients, kids attending our programs and their siblings. However, this year was a bit different but nonetheless very special.

Our Adult Program wanted to provide a Christmas for the clients that they would never forget! COVID has hit our program especially hard with the majority of clients not returning to program since March. The staff at Adult Services reached out to their families, friends and community through phone calls, emails and social media to ask for donations. Raising over $3,000 in just a few days, the plan to purchase gifts and distribute to the clients was a reality! The weekend before Christmas, SKSF staff volunteered to go to client homes and drop off presents, dressed as Santa's Elves and favorite fantasy characters, singing carols, and showing them that they have not been forgotten!

"My heart is so full seeing how much our community has supported us and to know that we can show our clients just how important they are. It sure put smiles on so many faces!"
Madeline Dulle, Joey's Place Coordinator
SKSF Adult Mentor, Tom brought his wife and granddaughter to shop for gifts and then dropped them off at client's homes.

“ We truly felt the Spirit of Christmas while shopping, wrapping, and especially delivering the gifts. The client’s joy was heart-warming and we walked away with full hearts. Overall, it was a fun and great Christmas time activity.”
We'd like to acknowledge the following grantors for their generous contributions to our organization supporting our Zach's Place program:
- Carl W. & Carrie Mae Joslyn Charitable Trust
- Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation
THANK YOU!
Friday, February 19, 2021
8:30am - 3:00pm
Special Kids Special Families is a Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Approved Training Entity and offers Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP) courses monthly for Support Staff and Host Home Providers caring for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Special Kids Special Families (SKSF) is seeking individuals, couples or families who are willing to care for TEENS with developmental disabilities and/ or special needs. You would become the teen’s Foster Provider (i.e. Foster Parent) and welcome them into your home, providing the care and guidance that they require. As the youth becomes an adult, you would work with them as their Adult Home Provider. This important step for adolescents with challenging needs is so crucial to their future success. When the adolescent in your home becomes an adult, you would be able to continue to provide care through the Adult Disabilities Waiver Program.
Instead of selling, trading or storing your vehicle, you can make a donation and receive a tax deduction! When you donate your vehicle through Vehicles for Charity, Special Kids Special Families benefits by receiving a cash donation to fund new and existing programs and increase community awareness through local events.
Everyone needs groceries, so why not let a percentage of your grocery bill benefit Special Kids Special Families?

With nearly 50 households participating, SKSF has raised nearly $3,000 in 2020 to benefit our programs. We hope more families will participate this year so we can raise even more! We know that supporting Special Kids Special Families should never be difficult.  All you need to do is REGISTER your King Soopers loyalty card and link it to SKSF for us to earn funds for our programs!
Responsible for providing medically necessary services to individuals across the lifespan. Responsibilities include but are not limited to completing clinical assessments, providing individual, family, group therapy, supervised visitations, case management, life skills and other services that enhance the overall well-being of the individual.