Celebrate Colorado Gives Day by making a donation to AdvocacyDenver on December 10th. When you give to AdvocacyDenver on Colorado Gives Day, your gift will go even further to help children and adults with disabilities.
[Read more…] about Make a Donation to AdvocacyDenver on Colorado Gives DayMental Health Crisis: Part 2, Long Term Competency
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
“Jane Doe” had charges brought against her January 2016 and June 2017. She was released on bail. A competency evaluation was ordered and in December 2017, it was determined she was not competent. She was ordered to participate in a competency restoration program. Competency restoration is the process used when an individual is found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial. Simply put, “Jane Doe” must be restored to competency before the legal process can continue. In November 2018, it was determined that competency could not be restored. “Jane Doe” is labeled as having a dual diagnosis: an intellectual and developmental disability and mental health issues. On July 9, 2019, “Jane Doe” was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. On day three of her incarceration, “Jane Doe” was arraigned. The judge was privy to: her history, the list of her past charges, her competency evaluations and her return to the community. Now, because she is charged with aggravated assault, the court will no longer entertain her return to the community.
[Read more…] about Mental Health Crisis: Part 2, Long Term CompetencyeAlert: Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Lottery Accepting Entries
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
The Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) is opening its 2020 Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 Lottery. On-line entries (ONLY) will be accepted beginning on Thursday, September 19, 2019 (beginning at 12:01 a.m.) through Friday, September 20, 2019 (ending at 11:59 p.m.) Interested individuals may submit a lottery entry via the internet at DHA’s website: www.denverhousing.org.
[Read more…] about eAlert: Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Lottery Accepting EntriesMental Health Crisis: Part 1, Framing The Issues
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
While some maintain Denver Public Schools (DPS) offers students “equitable” opportunities, others assert the school-to-prison pipeline is alive and well in DPS. The partnership between DPS, Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and what was the Division of Youth Corrections (currently known as the Division of Youth Services) provides new meaning to the school-to-prison pipeline. DPS charter school Rite of Passage is housed in youth correction facility in Watkins, Colorado. Thirty-five percent (or more) of the youth assigned to the facility are identified as having a disability (eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Ridge View Academy is a boys’ correction facility located in a remote area surrounded by fields. Ridge View Academy does not have a barbed wire fence, rather the youth understand if they run they will be sent to a more secure correction facility. DPS’ Board of Education approved the Rite of Passage charter school in 2001.
[Read more…] about Mental Health Crisis: Part 1, Framing The IssuesLast Interview
From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia
At different times, over the years, I had an opportunity to stand with Carrie Ann Lucas on issues important to the community of individuals with disabilities. I cannot report that we were Facebook friends, we did not meet for lunch or dinner or discuss our personal lives. I knew Carrie as a bright, firm, determined parent, attorney, advocate, and community leader. If there was a question in relation to the rights of parents with disabilities, Carrie was the expert.
[Read more…] about Last InterviewCDE State Complaint Officer Issues Decision on Systemic Complaint
On April 12, 2018 AdvocacyDenver filed a complaint with the Colorado Department of Education State Complaince Officer on behalf of students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act served by Denver Public Schools. [Read more…] about CDE State Complaint Officer Issues Decision on Systemic Complaint