In This Issue:

  • Have Your Voice Heard - Case Management Transition Town Halls to be Held in Jeffco
  • Use Your Tax Refund To Support Our Youth Advocacy Programs
  • Host Homes Focus Group - Share Your Feedback
  • FDA Seeking Public Comments in Efforts to Ban Shock Devices
  • Sound Tracks - An Artistic Journey to Belonging Free Virtual Event
  • See You At Coffee House - April 18
Woman with glasses speaking into a microphone in a meeting room with attentive audience.
Have Your Voice Heard

Case Management Transition Town Halls to be Held in Jeffco - May 2 & 14

Attention families, guardians and individuals in Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties currently receiving case management and resource coordination from DDRC for all Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities HCBS Waivers, State Supported Living Services and Family Support Services.
 
Mark your calendars to join a town hall discussion on the future of case management for Home and Community-Based Services hosted by the new Case Management Agency, Jefferson County Human Services, along with DDRC. The purpose of the meetings is to make sure everyone understands the upcoming case management transition and feels comfortable asking any questions. The town hall is for you, so please come prepared with any questions or concerns you may have. Your feedback is important to make sure your needs are addressed.
 
The town hall will be held twice and each of the two sessions will generally cover the same topics. Both sessions will offer in-person and virtual attendance options, and the virtual link will be posted on DDRC Website’s prior to these meetings (for more details see “Case Management” blog on DDRC's homepage). Registration is not required but will assist in planning logistics. Please participate!

Take Action and Share Your Experiences

The dates, times and locations of the town halls are:
 
Thursday, May 2 from 4 to 5:00 p.m. at Jefferson County Courts & Admin Building, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden.
Tuesday, May 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at DDRC, 11177 W. 8th Ave, Lakewood.
  
NOTE: For individuals and families in Summit and Gilpin Counties, DDRC will be providing additional information about case management transitions later this spring
 
Senior couple with money and tablet smiling indoors in daylight.
Use Your Tax Refund To Support Our Youth Advocacy Programs

Consider using your Tabor refund to invest in people by directing part — or even all — of your Colorado tax refund to The Arc-JCCGC.

Why not invest in something that will bring great returns for teens and young adults with IDD? 

The Arc-JCCGC is creating a new advocacy program that addresses the very specific needs of teens and young adults. Beginning this summer, we will have advocates who specialize in this age group who can support young people through so many different firsts – their first job, first time living away from home, first love/heartbreak, and more!

Donating is the perfect way to show your commitment to our community! The State of Colorado has made it easy to do.

It's simple. Here's how:

Just enter The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties and our registration number: 20023003706 in the Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit Fund line on your state income tax return by Monday, April 15.

If you have a tax preparer complete your tax forms for you, simply give them these instructions along with the amount of your desired donation.

Thank you for considering helping The Arc-JCCGC make a lasting impact by investing in our community’s future.
The Arc U.S. Logo
FDA Seeks Public Comments in Efforts to Ban Electric Shock Devices

From The Arc U.S.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a proposed rule to ban the use of electrical stimulation devices for aggressive or self-injurious behavior. Comments on this proposed rule are due May 28, and can be submitted by clicking the button below.

For decades, people with disabilities have been tortured by shock devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC), an institution in Massachusetts for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. JRC still forces residents to wear a shock device, and staff members use remote controls to administer a shock for perceived misbehavior. JRC is the only place in the country does this, despite substantial evidence that the shocks are painful and traumatizing to residents.

The Arc had been fighting for years to stop this practice, because people with disabilities deserve to live free from torture and fear. The Arc U.S. helped spearhead legislation that moved through Congress in 2022 that was intended to stop the abuse of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the bill was blocked in court in 2022.
Now there is new hope that this barbaric and inhumane practice may end.

Please be on the lookout for more resources from The Arc on this important issue.
Host Home Program Focus Group Survey 

HCPF Seeking Feedback – Join In On Zoom

Would you be interested in participating in a virtual focus group to share your views about how to address the challenges to ensure the health and safety of individuals living in Host Homes while preserving the availability and inclusiveness of the model?  

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) wants to hear from you about Host Homes. Mission Analytics Group will be facilitating focus group meetings on Zoom for representatives of the following Host Home constituent groups: Individuals and/or Families, Host Home Providers, Provider Agencies, Case Management Agencies, and Advocacy Groups. 

HCPF is specifically looking for feedback from members and family members about Host Homes - including answers to these questions:

  • Matching of HHP/PASA to member - how support levels play a role?
  • Increased monitoring from the PASA/CMA - how members would feel about this, since mixed feedback has been provided?
  • Database/additional information for family members and members to access prior to making a decision on a HHP/PASA - how this would be useful for decision making?
  • What are the biggest concerns about HHPs?
  • What are the positives about the current system?

Mision Analytics Group is exploring scheduling the meetings at the following dates/times:

April 16: 10-11:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 2 - 3 p.m.
April 17: 10 -11 a.m.; 1 - 2 p.m.
April 18: 1 - 2 p.m.
April 19: 10 - 11 a.m.; 11 - 12 p.m.; 1 - 2 p.m.

Interested in participating in the Host Home Program Focus Group Survey?

Click here for more information. 
Banner with rainbow infinity symbol for Autism Acceptance Month April 2024 against a floral background with a smiling girl on the right.

Sound Tracks - An Artistic Journey to Belonging - Free Virtual Event    
                                                                                     
Among several significant campaigns in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month is: Sound Tracks: An Artistic Journey to Belonging.

Sound Tracks is a short film directed by John Schaffer and features two artists who have autism, photographer Blair Bunting and composer and musician Laura Nadine. Check out the movie trailer for Sound Tracks by clicking here.

A free event including a showing Sound Tracks, as well as a Q&A with the artists can be attended virtually.

Blair and Laura will converse about their art, their creative process, and how autism has impacted their art. The National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Autism Research Coordination are co-hosting this event.

For more information, including speaker bios and the event schedule, click here. 

What: Sound Tracks: An Artistic Journey to Belonging.
When: Tuesday, April 16 from 12 to 2 p.m. Mountain Time.
Where: Attend virtually. Pre-registration is recommended. Register by clicking here.
Two people holding white cups smiling at the camera.
Come to Coffee House on April 18!

Coffee. Tea. Lemonade. Water. Your drink of choice is up to you!

What matters to us is that you don’t miss Coffee House – The Arc-JCCGC’s monthly social gathering.

Join in on the fun. Everyone is welcome! We hope to see you there.

Thursday, April 18
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Panera Bread -- 650 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood (Southeast corner of Wadsworth & Center Ave).

Questions? Email info@arcjc.org