Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Human Services
An Interview with Catherine Strode
When Denver Human Services (DHS) released the findings of a needs assessment for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, one Denver nonprofit organization took it as validation of its work. As part of the needs assessment, Denver Human Services surveyed recipients, providers and others and asked how supportive people are of the current mill levy services being provided by Rocky Mountain Human Services. On a scale of one to ten, where 1 is the lowest level of support and 10 is the highest level of support, across the different types of respondents to the survey, the scores were just over seven and just under nine in terms of how satisfied people were with those current services. Executive Director Sheri Repinski says the results of the needs assessment reflect that RMHS is on the right track and doing work that people value with Denver property tax mill levy dollars.
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Affordable Housing Tops List In Needs Assessment for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The results of a needs assessment on services available to Denver residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities have been completed. Denver Human Services (DHS) has released the findings and is now in the process of seating an Advisory Council to recommend solutions. The assessment rated support for the use of Mill Levy funds for enhanced services was high, but cited key gaps in unmet needs. Denver Human Services Mill Levy Program Manager, Justin Sykes, explains the systemic challenges revealed in the needs assessment and discusses the next steps.
Arc of Colorado Executive Director Hails Wins of 2018 Sessions
Seven months ago, Christiano Sosa took over the helm of the Arc of Colorado. During that time, he united the state’s 14 Chapters around the 2018 legislative agenda. That agenda produced five prioritized bills that all successfully passed.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Christiano reflects on this legislative progress and offers his vision moving forward. Part of that vision includes a statewide listening tour he will kick off this June.
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School Stability To Improve Foster Youth Graduation Rates
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The high school graduation rates in Colorado of foster youth trend significantly lower than those of the general population. A bill has passed the House that would permit students in out-of-home placement to stay in their school of origin instead of moving to a different school when placed outside of the home. House Bill 18-1306 is sponsored by State Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Michaelson Jenet says the bill addresses what has been identified as the most challenging issue facing foster youth: their high dropout and low graduation rate. The bill she has sponsored is designed to improve these rates by keeping foster youth in stable educational environments.
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Food and Drug Administration Approved Cannabis in State Pharmacies
An Interview with Catherine Strode
One of the state’s most vocal political opponents of legalized marijuana has helped pass a bill to allow pharmacies to dispense pharmaceutical marijuana. State Senator John Cooke, a retired sheriff from Weld County, pulls no punches in saying he believes marijuana to be a ‘scourge’ on the state. However, he has cosponsored and helped pass House Bill 18-1187 that makes a technical fix to Colorado pharmacy law that prevents pharmacies from dispensing drug products that contain marijuana or marijuana concentrate.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Cooke says his sponsorship of HB18-1187 is an attempt to aid children suffering from severe forms of epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing a drug containing cannabidiol (CBD) to treat a rare form of resistant pediatric epilepsy called Epidiolex. With the passage of HB18-1187, Colorado parents can obtain cannabidiol to treat the disease if approved by the FDA.
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Center’s Shutdown for Underfed, Abused Kids Results in Bill
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Representative Jonathan Singer (House District 11) is sponsoring a bill to investigate allegations of abuse of children/youth in out-of-home placement and under the continuing jurisdiction of the court. House Bill 18-1346 offers protections for youth under the age of 21 from institutional child abuse. The bill is a direct outcome of the state’s 2017 shutdown of El Pueblo, a treatment center for youth. Children at the Center gave reports of being starved and abused.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Singer who is a former social worker says he is committed to making sure all youth in Colorado’s systems are treated fairly. This, he says, is not a partisan issue.
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Legislators Tackle Fire Safety in Host Homes
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Senator Irene Aguilar and State Representative Dan Pabon are co-sponsoring a bill to implement a fire safety oversight system for individual residential services. House Bill 18-1376 is a response to the tragic host home fire which resulted in fatalities nearly two years ago. The bill has passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee and has been referred to Appropriations.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Aguilar says the bill supports providers for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities by creating awareness of the need to set safety standards for vulnerable populations who receive services from the state.
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Employment First: Yes!
An Interview with Catherine Strode
It’s estimated that 85 percent of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. The state legislature is in the process of passing a bill (Senate Bill 18-145) to address that problem and lower that rate in Colorado. The bill implements three main recommendations of a five-year strategic plan created by a State Advisory Partnership. The bill’s sponsor, State Senator John Kefalas (Senate District 14) says the bill also supports a culture shift.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Kefalas says the bill supports the concept of ‘Employment First’. The concept is based on developing a culture of meaningful employment for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities which moves them out of sheltered workshops and into community-based jobs.
Property Rights For People With Developmental Disabilities Restored With Bill
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Senator Bob Gardner (Senate District 12) has a long legislative history of sponsoring bills that support the rights and interests of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He is currently the sponsor of Senate Bill 174, a bill that brings Colorado law into alignment with federal law protecting the rights of individuals living in group homes and other residential settings.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Gardner says Senate Bill 174 is part of an ongoing bipartisan effort in Colorado to maintain equal rights for all state citizens.
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Funding of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission Faces Final Vote
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The State Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing next week on a bill to reauthorize funding for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC.) Funding the CCRC is being called one of the most contentious issues of the 2018 Legislative Session with opinions being drawn down party lines. In February, Republicans on the Joint Budget Committee voted to withhold the funding.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senate Judiciary Committee member Rhonda Fields voices her strong support of the reauthorization. She says the pending Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission of a Colorado baker refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is driving the partisan debate.
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