Yeehaw, DDRC friends and family. Get excited as we’ve been wrangling up some fantastic items for our online auction, part our 29^th Annual Golf Tournament, Showdown at the Hiwan, and everyone can bid, even if you’re not a golfer! So giddy-up and get ready to bid.

We have items ranging from dining, to travel, to family experiences, and you won’t want to miss a single second of the fun. Try your shot at bidding for multiple restaurant gift cards, activities for the kids, and unique opportunities for an exciting night on the town.

How about something local, with a unique vibe and fun to experience? Try the brewery tasting from 6 and 40 Brewery & Taproom in Lakewood, CO valued at $240!

Take a look now at 6 and 40 Brewery, and many other items at the online auction site.

Bidding opens Friday, August 6^th!

It’s often said that people with disabilities are among the most loyal and reliable employees. Steve McHattie certainly demonstrated these traits to the max. He recently retired from CoorsTek after working there for 45 years!

He received a handsome plaque signed by CoorTek management which said, “you will be greatly missed,” and thanking him for his “dedication, creativity and

leadership-by-example."

Over the years, Steve worked in several departments, and he reports he never missed a day of work. He prepared product for the kilns, drove a forklift, packed various product, and was called upon to show new team members how to do parts of the job. “I think I was a good teacher and some of the guys told me that too,” he shared.

At his retirement send-off, Steve’s colleagues wrote him warm wishes and signed a framed CoorsTek beadwork piece that was Steve’s own creation. The beadwork was one of a hundred pieces that he has created, framed, and sold, many with a sports theme.

Steve enjoys learning. He participates in DDRC’s Discovery Technology Lab, exploring various apps, gaining computer skills and challenging himself with vocabulary and word programs, with support from Erlen Marsh, Lab Instructor/Supervisor.

Steve finds satisfaction living independently with his wife and son, and receives support from DDRC’s A Better Choice supported living services.

When asked what he thought about retirement, Steve didn’t seem ready to slow down too much, as he will continue his tech learning, beadwork, woodworking, and few other things too. Congratulations Steve!

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is undertaking a major initiative called Case Management Redesign (CMRD) that refers to several changes, including Conflict-Free Case Management (CFCM), one place to go for all Medicaid Waivers, and a New Assessment and Person-Centered Support Plan Process. The aim of these changes is to help make access to long-term services and supports easier, to create the right number of case management agencies, and increase the quality of case management services in Colorado. CFCM is a Federal rule and Colorado law, to be fully implemented by 2024, that will result in individuals not being able to receive their Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and case management from the same organization.

One goal of CMRD is determining the “right number” of case management agencies and regions to help achieve simplicity, quality, and accountability. Stakeholder input will assist HCPF in determining new catchment areas or regions for Community Centered Boards (CCBs) and Single-Entry Points. DDRC’s current service or catchment area encompasses Jefferson, Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Summit Counties. The current preliminary proposal for DDRC’s new catchment area would group Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties together, Gilpin County with Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and Summit County with Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield Counties.

While full implementation of CMRD is not required until July 2024, a final decision is expected by fall 2021 to lay the groundwork for further steps. Your input is important and HCPF is holding Member/Family Listening sessions expressly for Health First CO Members who are receiving home and community- based services (HCBS). 

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Find Listening Sessions Virtual Links on the HCPF calendar at:

Download flyer with Listening Session details here.

DDRC’s operations relating to COVID precautions have recently changed due to new and updated guidance from the state. While some restrictions have been lifted, others are still in place.

Many of the changes establish different expectations for fully vaccinated vs. unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people. Generally, mask wearing is required across DDRC service areas for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals as they receive or engage in services, and for visitors and employees. For individuals residing in DDRC Group Residential settings and their guests, verification of full vaccination is required for optional mask wearing, drop-by visits, and participation in group activities. Services will still be delivered virtually in some cases, particularly for Resource Coordination and Service Coordination.

For a complete description of restrictions still in place, click here.

The Colorado Association of People Supporting Employment First (COAPSE) selected DDRC for two awards at their June inaugural Employment First Conference that featured renowned speakers. It was an honor to be recognized in such a setting!

DDRC’s Employment Services was given the Wendy M. Wood Award, in recognition of their leadership in developing a vision and creating action toward full inclusion of citizens with disabilities in our society.  Wood was the founding Executive Director of APSE.

During the conference, DDRC’s team members Heather Hagen and Vikki Ortiz presented 'Elevating Employment First at DDRC' to speak to why and how DDRC pivoted to an Employment First Focus and helping to demonstrate why the DDRC award was so fitting.

Andrea Samuelson, DDRC Employment Specialist, was recognized with a COAPSE Professional Award for her achievements in advocacy and her innovative approach to services. Andrea uses an interactive approach to help each person she supports identify their genuine interests and align that with career possibilities, while putting decision-making into hands of the career seeker. She also finds ways to connect with employers in the community to share ideas on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to advocate that developmental disabilities be part of the DEI equation.

Receiving these state and national awards energizes our entire Employment Services team to redouble their efforts in evolving Employment First! See more about their work at https://ddrcco.com/vocational/home, where you will also find a link to their Facebook page.

We are proud to say that for the 4th straight quarter, DDRC’s Early Intervention and Children and Family Service Coordination Departments scored a perfect 15 out of 15 in meeting federal and state indicators! This compliance side of our work with the children and families we serve is required and it does matter.

These indicators are measures of whether necessary data was submitted from providers to service coordinators in a timely manner, whether the data gathered and entered was valid and reliable, and the timeliness of reporting. DDRC uses these indicators to check ourselves against expected performance.

This data reporting takes a team effort, and everyone- all the providers and all our service coordinators - have played a role in contributing to this success.

Mindfulness is the practice of being self-aware, being present in the moment, and more. Learn about mindfulness and get tools to find more balance and relate differently to stress in a free 6-session online series made possible by DDRC’s Early Intervention (EI).

The sessions are not only for parents. Valerie Saiz, the instructor, brings in examples from her life, video clips, and inspirational poems, and guides listeners to follow along in several exercises. This series is a motivating way to begin or renew mindfulness meditation.

Each session is about 30 minutes and links are on DDRC’s EI Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/DDRCEI.

DDRC was among a handful of organizations who, in 2020, received the first round of the State of Colorado’s Office of E-Health Innovation grant for telehealth implementation during the pandemic. Telehealth is a virtual service delivered online or by phone. The support was given to assist organizations to continue services during this uncertain time, and to assess the viability and acceptability of telehealth services. This spring, DDRC conducted a satisfaction survey about our telehealth services among people we serve.

Survey Feedback highlights include:

·         91.5% felt that they were able to communicate well with DDRC providers/team over telehealth.

·         89.4% found telehealth to be convenient.

·         82.3% felt video visits saved them time.

·         78.8% thought telehealth was effective for the services their family receives.

·         64.9% would recommend telehealth for some types of visits.

Respondents noted that telehealth functioned better as an option for adults than for the young children we serve, whose attention and participation proved challenging to maintain during virtual therapies. Families with a medically fragile family member were especially appreciative of telehealth services. Most respondents reported feeling equipped with the necessary tools and technology to leverage telehealth. Some respondents indicated difficulty adjusting to Zoom but reported success once they understood how to use it and settled into it.

Telehealth provided DDRC staff an opportunity to participate in service sessions and meetings, and then to share ideas on quality improvements among staff. It will continue to be considered as a service delivery mode depending upon state and federal guidance.

Download the kit at https://coloradorespitecoalition.org/ then click on Programs, and Publications.

COVID - 19 Resources

The Colorado Vaccine Website          

Vaccine Hotline 1-877-268-2926

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information: Jeffco, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Summit

Update relating to DDRC operations during the pandemic: here

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 will accept that you are open to receiving official notifications (i.e. notices of your services and supports ) via Constant Contact. Thank You!