An Interview with Catherine Strode
Since 2005, Lloyd Lewis has been overseeing all operational and financial management issues of the arc Thrift Stores in Colorado. He has built a strong reputation on his financial management prowess, turning a business that was burning cash into a solid source of revenue for all of the state’s Arc chapters. However, his latest undertaking is earning him recognition as an advocate, and, as a dad. In the book Why Not Them?, Lloyd delves into how the experience of parenting his son Kennedy has changed not only his life but also his life’s mission.
Fight for Access to Disability Benefits Scores Victory
An Interview with Catherine Strode
For the past two years, Attorney Allison Neswood has campaigned for individuals with disabilities to have greater access to benefits provided by Colorado’s Aid to the Needy Disabled program (AND.) The program provides cash assistance to people with disabilities who are in the process of applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI.) She, along with a group of community advocates, fought for a rule change that will make applying for the cash assistance easier. The State Board of Human Services approved the change unanimously last month, impacting the lives of people with disabilities statewide.
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The Gift of A Lifetime
An Interview with Catherine Strode
For nearly 50 years, Don Morales has given his time and talent to support the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. At 84 years old, Don currently serves as the Treasurer on AdvocacyDenver’s Executive Board. However, his history of service does not begin there nor does it end there. He has logged countless hours of volunteer time over the decades in order to raise funds and improve services for our community.
Don says the greatest advancements he has seen over the years has been children having the right to attend public schools. His service has been based on his passion to help individuals like his own son Danny. He says Danny, now 56 years old, has been a gift to his entire family. ”
The Arc of the United States Opposes Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
The Arc of the United States is actively opposing the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. It is rare for the national Arc to oppose judicial nominations. The last time the United States Arc opposed a judicial nomination was more than 30 years ago.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Berns, says Judge Kavanaugh represents values and a philosophy that are regressive for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. He is urging Arc chapters across the country to speak out against the Kavanaugh nomination to their U.S. Senators, asking them for a “NO” vote on his Supreme Court nomination.
In this interview with Catherine Strode, Peter Berns cites specific decisions written by Judge Kavanaugh that are found to be offensive by the national Arc. Berns says these decisions in the areas of health care, education, and employment threaten the independence and well-being of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
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CDE 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
Call For Electronic Visit Verification Delay Grows Strong Nationwide
The Washington DC House of Representatives successfully passed H.R. 6042 that would delay by one year the implementation of Electronic Visit Verification. Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a tracking system that requires electronic verification of when a person receives Medicaid funded personal care or home health services. The bill that has passed the House extends the deadline to January 1, 2020 for implementing EVV for personal care services. A Senate vote on the bill is expected in July
Nicole Jorwic, Director of Rights Policy at The Arc of the United States, calls the delay of EVV a ‘civil rights issue.’ She says the delay is important because it will give stakeholders the opportunity to work out the challenges of privacy protection.
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State Prepares for Electronic Visit Verification Rollout
Over 30,000 Coloradans receiving Home and Community Based Services through the state will be impacted by the federal mandate of electronic visit verification (EVV.) The federal mandate goes into effect on the first day of January 2019. The verification system must be in place in order to continue to receive a 50 percent match from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Stakeholder groups are meeting with representatives from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing throughout the state to become educated about the verification system requirements.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, the state’s Director of Benefits and Services explains Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), how the state will implement it and what concerns are being expressed by clients and providers. In Part One of this interview, Colin Laughlin explains how Colorado will do a “soft rollout” of the Electronic Visit Verification with the formost concern being protection of privacy. [Read more…] about State Prepares for Electronic Visit Verification Rollout
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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The Future of Denver’s Mill Levy Revenue Distribution
The revenue from Denver’s mill levy in 2018 is expected to be more than 17 million dollars. Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) is currently under contract for distributing the mill levy monies. That contract is set to expire this summer on June 30. Any contract over $500,000 requires the approval of the City Council.
Denver Human Services (DHS) has been conducting a needs assessment survey to decide how to spend the mill levy revenue and what agency to contract with for implementing those decisions. DHS will be holding a public meeting on June 11th to share the results of the needs assessment survey.
In this EVOICE, AdvocacyDenver takes an in-depth look at the mill levy decision process with four different perspectives from decision makers, stakeholders, clients, and parents impacted by the outcome. Mill Levy Program Manager, Justin Sykes, says DHS has received over 250 survey responses. He emphasizes that DHS is supporting an open process for obtaining information from public output.
Interviews Conducted By Catherine Strode
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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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