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Hot Topics – First Quarter 2019

May 3, 2019 by The Arc Arapahoe & Douglas Counties | Leave a Comment

By Carol Meredith, Executive Director

Carol Meredith

The first quarter of the year is always a busy one.  The Colorado Legislature is in session, schools are busy, adults are working and contributing to their communities, and the weather was super challenging on certain days and beautiful on others.

Public Policy

We have heard from you that our participation in this process is important.  Here is a brief update:

  • Competency has been a big issue at the Capitol for several years. We care about this issue because when people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) get in trouble with the law, they should be assessed to ensure that they understand the court proceedings and their rights.  We are monitoring several bills at the Capitol on this topic.
  • Mental health is another big legislative focus this year.  Did you know that 40% of people with I/DD also live with a co-occurring mental health condition?  Your chapter along with other chapters of The Arc have been working with Mental Health Colorado, Children’s Hospital and other constituents on several bills before the legislature.
  • The Children’s Habilitation Residential Program waiver is being re-designed.  Your chapter has been very involved in this effort.  The new waiver should be available in July of this year and will no longer require that children be in the child welfare system to get these important services.
  • The Children’s Extensive Support waiver application process is being re-designed to better meet the needs of children and their families.

Advocacy

Did you know that 75% of our resources are allocated to assist children and adults with I/DD, and their families to receive individualized support from our chapter of The Arc? Here are a few trends and topics of discussion among advocates:

  • Charter schools have been a big topic in educational advocacy over the first quarter of the year.
  • We have also seen a larger emphasis from school districts requiring attendance contracts. This can be a problem for students and their parents when the student has complex medical conditions or mental health conditions. 
  • We are hearing that bullying is making children not want to go to school.
  • As family members age, we are seeing more adults with I/DD that need emergency access to the HCBS-DD waiver that provides residential services.
  • The system is very complicated, and our main focus has been helping individuals and their families understand how to navigate Social Security, Medicaid, Medicaid waivers, Special Education law, employment and housing.

The Arc ADventures in Learning – workshops and training

  • Step Up into Life After High School has become a very popular workshop, and for good reason. Just when you thought you understood the school system, now you have to learn how to navigate the adult system.
  • Sex Education for middle school-aged children with I/DD has long been a class that we wanted to offer because so many of our advocacy cases involve children that don’t know how to behave when their bodies are changing.
  • How Do I Get There? Transportation is important if you can’t drive.  This class prepares self-advocates to utilize public transportation.
  • Building Blocks is for families who are new to Colorado or have young children with disabilities and need to understand the systems of care.  We talk about Individualized Education Programs, Medicaid, Medicaid Waivers and person-centered planning.
  • Understanding Family Caregiver, Consumer Directed Attendant Supports Services and In-Home Support Services.
  • Community Safety, Special Relationships, and Friendships are important for all of us, so we want to make sure that self-advocates have every opportunity to develop safe and meaningful relationships.
  • The Arc ADventures in Leadership meets monthly and is an opportunity for self-advocates to develop leadership skills and give back to the community.

Events – sometimes you just got to have fun!

Last year, you told us through our survey that social activities are something that you want more of, so we hired an event coordinator, Kelly Lawler. Here’s an overview of things we’ve planned and have in store for the future:

  • In early March we had our Annual Meeting where the business of the association is conducted, but we also had a great meal and dancing with Joelman the DJ.
  • When baseball season rolled around, we hosted a Rockies’ party for our members to receive tickets, and enjoy hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jacks and door prizes.
  • The Arc Adventures in Fun is for self-advocates.  Participants went to see Newsies at the Lone Tree Arts Center earlier this year. And we have many more fun activities planned.
  • Our Place is a large landscape project we announced a few weeks ago. We encourage all who are interested in honoring an individual or organization to purchase a $20.00 engraved brick. All orders must be placed by May 27, 2019 in order to be included in the walkway. For more information and to order a brick please visit this link: https://bit.ly/2F6r7nt

We want to hear from you!  The Arc Arapahoe and Douglas exists to make your lives better and more meaningful.  Please send an email with YOUR ideas to carol@kenahosting.com.


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About Luke

About Luke:

As the Director of Outreach, Education, Communications & Policy, Luke Wheeland is responsible for the administration of all educational offerings, community outreach activities, public policy, and coordination of communications at The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties (The Arc ADE). Luke graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.  Post college, he immediately started working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Luke has nearly 20 years of professional experience in operations, leadership, project management, and customer service and support. Luke has worked in many facets of the intellectual and developmental disabilities world, from working as Direct Support Professional (DSP) to Program Manager for a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA), to being a Case Manager and also a Senior Program Manager at a Community Centered Board, before joining The Arc ADE.

 

Luke is a Colorado native, born and raised in the Denver metro area. During his life, he has witnessed firsthand the transition and steady progression of the quality-of-life options for individuals with disabilities, as his parents worked in the IDD field for over 35 years. Luke grew up around people with disabilities and individuals striving to achieve independence and a meaningful life. Luke has found that his values and morals aligned well with The Arc’s overall mission and feels honored to be part of an organization that advocates for individuals with IDD.

About Michelle

About Michelle:

Before working at The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties, Michelle spent time working in various social work settings. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work and has dedicated her time working with school age children, youth, adults and the homeless population. Michelle is passionate about empowering and educating families. She was a Social Caseworker B – Intake working for the Child and Adult protection Services (CAPS) Division for Arapahoe County Department of Human Services. She is enthusiastic with the ability to work with families and other professionals in a team setting.

Michelle was born in Texas and moved to Colorado in 2005. She is first-generation graduate of her family. She enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and spending time with her dog.

Antes de trabajar en The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties, Michelle pasó un tiempo trabajando en entornos de trabajo social. Tiene una licenciatura en trabajo social y ha dedicado su tiempo a trabajar con niños, jóvenes, adultos y homeless. Le apasiona empoderar y educar a las familias. Ella era una trabajadora social de casos B -Admisión trabajando para la División de Servicios de Protección de Niños y Adultos (CAPS) para el Departamento de Servicios Humanos del Condado de Arapahoe. Ella es entusiasmada con la capacidad de trabajar con familias y otros profesionales en un entorno de equipo.

Michelle nació en Texas y se mudó a Colorado en 2005. Ella es primera generación de su familia. Le gusta viajar, hacer snowboard y pasar tiempo con su perro.

About Cg

More About Cg:

Cg La Scala works primarily with families who have school-aged children with disabilities. A former teacher, Cg spent several years with Developmental Pathways serving adults with IDD and mental illness in program management before she started her career with The Arc Arapahoe Douglas, & Elbert Counties in 1984. Cg has a great sense of the practical application of state and federal laws in advocating for people with disabilities drawn from a wealth of experience.

Cg and her husband raised four children in Colorado schools, two with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Three of her children (who are now adults) have children of their own. Of her five grandchildren, two have had IEPs. All have lived “happily ever after”!

Cg also acts as guardian agent for two men with intellectual disabilities, one of whom she has known for more than

About Lee

About Lee:

Lee Ray has been an advocate with The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties for 20 years. Prior to his tenure with The Arc, his career experience consisted of a decade in residential services, providing family support during the early years of Supported Living Services (SLS), and at a state run facility in Texas.

During his career, Lee has witnessed the transition and steady progression of the quality of life options for individuals with disabilities. Advocating during a time when people with disabilities were limited to highly restrictive settings and now currently assisting people in creating lives of independence and worth.

Lee feels incredibly grateful for the opportunities he has had during the course of his career. He believes the fulfilment he receives on a day-to-day basis in his capacity as an advocate is immeasurable.

More About Pam

About Pam:

Pam Bailey started working with The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties in 2000.  She is responsible for the administration of all things related to the building and the maintenance of it.  She also provides information and referral to new families, maintains the general bookkeeping, database system, insurance policies, coordinates volunteer opportunities within the organization, and supports staff members and the board of directors. Pam is also responsible for various aspects of membership recruitment and grant writing.

Pam has an Associate Degree in Office Administration and past career experience working at The Arc of Aurora and the Arapahoe Early Childhood Network. Her commitment to supporting individuals with IDD is an important part of her life. Pam is the mother of two young adults and has a cousin with Down syndrome.

More about Genene:

About Genene:

Dr. Genene Duran grew up in northeast Denver in the Montbello community and is an alumna of Montbello High School. She holds a Doctorate in Human Services, Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. In addition, she is also a certified Mediator and has a certification in Public Relations as well. Dr. Duran has subject matter expertise in the fields of health care policy, managing federally qualified health centers, human services, community outreach and engagement, health systems change and cultural competence in health care. Dr. Duran is the Executive Director at The Arc, Arapahoe, Douglas, & Elbert Counties, as well as being the Chief Operating Officer of her own consulting firm Ducks in a Row, LLC.

Dr. Duran is the Chair of the Board of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, the Chair of the Advisory Board for the City and County of Denver’s Agency on Human Rights and Community Partnerships, serves on the Family Advisory Council for Every Child Pediatrics, sits on the Board of Directors for Womxn’s March Denver, is on the Doctoral Advisory Board for the University of Arizona Global campus, is a Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Denver Moves Everyone Steering Committee Advisory Board member, a National Association for Career and Technical Education board member, and serves as the Co-Chair of the Denver African American Commission.

Although she has accomplished a great deal, she remains most proud of her 20-year-old son and 19 year old daughter, both who are juniors at Colorado State University, and 16-year-old daughter who is junior at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. Dr. Duran’s greatest passions include providing a voice for underserved communities and affecting positive change through leadership, strategic planning, relationship building, effective change management, advocacy, social justice, and organizational training.

About Tona

About Tona:

Tona Collins taught life skills to individuals with acquired brain injuries at Developmental Disability Consultants before joining The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Breakthrough Parenting Instructor, and recognized parenting expert in Adams, Jefferson, and Denver County. Tona has a knack for meeting people where they are in life and helping them gather the resources they need to sustain their household and wellbeing. During her career, she has provided intensive home-based wrap around services to individuals with IDD, supervised visitations for families involved with the Department of Human Services, and facilitated parenting groups tailored to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Tona advocates for adults, children, and families on behalf of our chapter; providing education and support. Her outreach efforts include serving families and students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, transition planning, waiver programs and appeals, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Tona is a mother and grandmother who loves her family very much. She is passionate about advocating for others and empowering them to succeed.

About Michelle

About Michelle:

Michelle has over eighteen years of experience working with children and individuals with disabilities. She ran a licensed home daycare center and worked in the foster care system for eight years as a foster care provider. Both of these positions gave her the opportunity to provide care for children with developmental disabilities.,

Before working at The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties, Michelle worked as a case manager with Developmental Pathways where she assisted children and adults with developmental disabilities. Michelle is committed to and passionate about supporting, empowering, and advocating for individuals in the IDD community. Michelle and her husband have three children, one with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), along with family members with special needs

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a minor in Early Childhood and Adolescent Development.
About Whitley

About Whitley:

Prior to working at The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties, Whitley was an Early Intervention Specialist for a pediatric home health company helping families get connected with Community Centered Boards to start therapy services before the age of three. She has been passionate about helping within the IDD community since a very young age and has learned a lot through her mother, who was a Speech Language Pathologist for an elementary school. For over 15 years, Whitley has provided direct care for individuals with IDD but has recently gained experience in the case management and administrative side of the field. She has earned her Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistance and is EMT trained.

Whitley is a Colorado native who grew up in the Thornton area and she plays semi-professional women’s tackle football for the WNFC on the Denver Bandits.”

About Julie

About Julie:

Julie’s passion for working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities started while working as a Para in Special Education classrooms where she saw great potential and abilities of her students. Julie knew she wanted to work with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for her career. She soon transitioned into a Case Manager role at Developmental Pathways, working her way up to becoming a Program Manager. Julie has many years of experience navigating the IDD systems care and looks forward to her new role at our chapter.

Julie is a Colorado native and grew up in Aurora. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and raising her young daughter. Julie is an outgoing and fun loving person. When not working, Julie can be found playing soccer, camping, or spending time with friends and family.

About Brittany

About Brittany:

Before working at The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties, Brittany spent time in various special education settings. Her drive to support students and their families came from her time working as a paraprofessional in the SED classroom. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and has dedicated her time working with youth and young adults. Being able to empower and support individuals in the IDD community is something she commits to by continuing her education and building relationships.

Brittany is a Colorado native and grew up in the Aurora area. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog, and hanging out with friends.

About Kelly

About Kelly:

Kelly Lawler is responsible for the planning and execution of inclusive social events, both large and small, tailored to the IDD community. She believes in the importance of inclusion in the community and strives to ensure that everyone has a safe and welcoming place in the community to come and be themselves.  Her love of work within the nonprofit sector began when she was the Office Manager for the YMCA, participating in over 100 events. She continued her pursuit of community service by founding a business that offered workshops, fitness classes, and individual coaching to people with the desire or need to make healthy changes in their lives.

Kelly has a Degree in Communication as well as certifications in Health Coaching and Wedding/Event Planning.

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