DDRC Self-Determination Initiative Helps Score a Win | |
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Jimmy’s smile and engaging manner greets those who meet him like sunshine. He is at the Wheat Ridge Rec Center with Jordan, a personal trainer, and explains he is working on putting power behind his basketball shots. The two of them are informally taking turns dribbling, defending and shooting the ball. “Whoop- Whoop” Jimmy shouts as he makes the shot from a good distance. “I feel so good seeing I can do it.” During the coaching session they also move on to a game of “hockey golf,” and Jimmy is racking up the points for a win.
For all the physical benefits the workout and training provide, it’s the confidence building and gaining connection and trust with the trainer that is the real benefit Jimmy gets. “Jordan means more to me than someone who I beat in the game,” Jimmy says. “He’s a friend, like family and he’s role model. He taught me about trust and love.” Jimmy explains he was born with disabilities, and faced emotional and other hardships growing up, things that made him feel put down, and losing trust in people he should have been able to turn to. He also lost a beloved stepmother. Those experiences contribute to his anxiety, but these 9+ personal training sessions have made a difference.
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Jimmy receives services from DDRC. He sought and received DDRC Self Determination Initiative (SDI) funding. Conferring with DDRC’s SDI Coordinator, Julia Panucza, he came up with strategies to meet his goals to build confidence, calm and trust, and the personal training sessions were part of the strategy.
He has been living in his own apartment with support from DDRC residential services. The staff there cheered him on in his personal training and on a recent day, helped him get his beloved cat, Itty Bitty, to the vet. The kitty is an important source of comfort and calm for Jimmy. Julia and Jimmy are pictured here with Itty Bitty.
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Now Jimmy has aspirations for a job and is receiving help through DDRC's Employment Services. “I want to deal with my disabilities head on,” he says. That determined attitude, even in the face of the sometimes tough anxiety that Jimmy grapples with, is precisely why Julia and DDRC knew Jimmy was a great candidate to receive Self-Determination Initiative Funding to pursue his goals.
See Jimmy in action in a short video: Click here
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Pint Night June 15 at the 6 and 40 Brewery and Taproom | |
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6 and 40 Brewery, “Colorado’s Craft Beer Filling Station” is filling us with gratitude! On Wednesday, June 15 (2 pm-8pm) 20% of their beer/drink sales will benefit DDRC. Everyone is welcome! The brewery vibe combines the owner’s passion for vintage cars, craft beer and community.
With drinks like the nonalcoholic Pace Car Hop Tea, the Renault Apricot Table Beer and other handcrafted beers and hard seltzers, you’re sure to find something you’ll love. The Schnitzelwirt food truck, featuring delicious German-Austrian style food, will be there too.
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Join us at the 6 and 40 Brewery and Taproom at 883 Parfet Street, off Quail St, just behind DDRC. Friends and supporters will rally there in the late afternoon, so stop by anytime up till 8 p.m. Come to say hello, experience this gem of a place, and thank 6 and 40 for caring. Throughout June, they are also putting out a donation jar for DDRC. We’re grateful they see the value of DDRC’s mission to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lead fulfilling lives.
See more about 6 and 40 Brewery here https://6and40brewery.com/
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A Few Spots Left in Our DDRC/DDF Golf Tournament | |
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If you’re a golfer, or know of someone who is, don’t miss the chance to experience the private Hiwan Golf Club on August 15 for our fun-filled fundraiser, the Groovy on the Green golf tournament. We’re down to our last few spots.
Registration includes breakfast at the club, a post-tournament lunch, goody bags, contest cash prize, 18 holes, a golf cart, beautiful views, and most importantly, making a positive impact for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
To see all our wonderful tournament sponsors and to register, click here.
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Watch for Our Online Auction - Preview in July | |
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We’re hosting an online auction leading up to and on the day of the golf tournament, with bidding open between August 1-15. Anyone can bid!
Items include gift cards and passes to restaurants, family fun, golf packages, spas, sports, and more. Besides staycations and Colorado get-aways, we also have 7-night accommodations at fabulous island resorts in Antigua, The Grenadines, Barbados, and Panama.
Watch for information in July to preview all the great offerings, and to see how to register to bid so you're ready to snag your heart’s desire while helping DDRC!
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The Colorado Legislature ended their general assembly session in late May. Several bills with relevance to the intellectual /developmental disabilities (I/DD) community that passed and are signed by Governor Polis, include:
· Consumer Right to Repair Powered Wheelchairs
(HB22-1031)
· Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities (HB22-1107)
· Behavioral Health Crisis Response System (HB22-1214):
· Creation of the Dept. of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program (HB22-1295)
· Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Saving Accounts (HB22-1320)
Read the highlights of these bills here.
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Case Management Redesign- Webinars June 21 and July 26 | |
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Changes are coming in the Colorado Case Management system in 2024, including to DDRC and all Community Centered Boards and Single Entry Points, as part of Case Management Redesign. These changes will have implications for how, where and what entities people access case management.
Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) wants to hear from our community and to share information relevant to these changes. They are holding a webinar series and all interested stakeholders are welcome. The first session was in May. The second and third sessions are scheduled at 1:00- 2:30 pm on Tuesday, June 21 and Tuesday, July 26. REGISTER
Meeting and background information is on the HCPF Case Management Redesign webpage.
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Masks Still Required in DDRC Facilities | |
DDRC is currently continuing to require masks in DDRC facilities as we are subject to requirements from various regulatory entities at the state and federal level. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have moved Jefferson County from COVID-19 Community Level Low to Community Level Medium. Masks, vaccinations, boosters and social distancing are all still important tools to help keep the virus in check.
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Motivate Positive Behavior - Free Class June 15 | |
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Attention caregivers! Are you looking for a more effective way to motivate positive behavior or promote cooperation from someone you care for or work with?
DDRC’s Behavioral Health Team is hosting a free training to help attendees learn how to motivate positive behavior, applicable to different ages and settings. The class will be held in-person on Wednesday, June 15 from 9 am- 3 pm, at the DDRC offices at 11177 W. 8thAve., Lakewood 80215. Due to Health Department COVID requirements for our sites, participants need to wear masks. Advance registration is required by emailing your name and phone number to Zachary.Maple@ddrcco.com.
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Families: Don’t Wait to Seek Funding Help | |
DDRC’s Family Support Services Program (FSSP) has funds to help families in Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin and Summit Counties with a child of any age with developmental disabilities or delays living at home.
Apply today or by June 30 by completing a a "Most in Need Assessment" Form, found at https://ddrcco.com/accessing-services/family-support-services (look toward the bottom of the page) or call your Resource/Service Coordinator. You may also call 303.462.6576 to have forms mailed to you but do so soon!
| 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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New Colorado Tax Rebates and Child Tax Credits Still Available
- File by June 30 for Rebates
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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is asking organizations to help spread the word about tax rebates and tax credits, because economic mobility is a driver of health.
Through a new law signed by Governor Polis on May 23rd, Colorado residents who file their state tax return by June 30th will receive a rebate check this fall for at least $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers. Coloradans who have already filed their 2021 state tax return don’t need to do anything else to receive their rebate check in the mail. Those who haven’t yet filed can still do so by June 30th to receive their rebate by September 30th.
Families can also still claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and other tax credits from now until the late filing deadline of October 17th. The expanded CTC increased the amount that low-income families can receive in 2022, up to $3,600 per child under 6 and up to $3,000 per child 6-17 years of age.
To claim these payments, families need to file their state and federal tax returns. State and federal returns can be filed together through free resources for low-income filers available at GetAheadColorado.org.
Eligibility for the rebate and credits includes:
· New tax filers who have never filed before
· Filers who don’t owe taxes, and earn little or no income
· Filers who use an individual tax ID number (ITIN) to file, as long as any children claimed for the CTC have a Social Security number
· New parents who had a baby in 2021
This material is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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We’re Hiring! Various Opportunities | |
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Would you like a rewarding career helping people to lead their best lives? Come to DDRC! Work with team members who care, with inclusive and diverse values, a flexible 36-hour work week, remote work opportunities, superior benefits, and the chance to be part of an organization committed to you and to an important mission!
We have various positions that might just be a great fit for you.
Interested? Apply at https://ddrcco.com/careers.
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Set Your Email Preferences for Emails from DDRC
People served by DDRC and their families:
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!
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