Developmental Pathways

July 26, 2024, is National #DisabilityIndependenceDay, celebrating the 34th anniversary of the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities while guaranteeing their civil rights to access transportation, employment, education, and other services. This day serves as an opportunity to recognize the life-changing rights that this legislation solidified and the community of disability activists that made it a reality. Take time today to raise awareness and help break barriers for individuals with disabilities. #ThanksToTheADA #ADA34 Started in 1964, Developmental Pathways (DP) believes full inclusion and participation in community life are attainable for everyone! Through our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts, we work to create spaces for marginalized communities to have their voices heard. We strive to ensure accessibility and inclusion are at the forefront of our actions, allowing everyone to feel and know they truly belong.

Welcome to Part 4 and the final installment of DP's Early Intervention (EI) series: Transitioning out of EI Services! What happens once a child is too old for EI services? DP and local school districts assist in transitioning children who are nearing their third birthday out of the EI program, helping bridge service gaps and connect families with resources. When a child in EI services turns two years and three months old (27 months), transition planning will begin. The transition plan will become part of your child's IFSP. By the time your child is two years and six months (30 months), you can choose to receive additional details on Special Education Preschool and schedule an evaluation to determine eligibility for preschool services. If your child hasn’t yet met all their Individualized Family Service Plan goals in the EI program, our Community Outreach program may be able to support your family. Learn more about Community Outreach at https://bit.ly/3zSHSTw. For more information or to get in touch with our team, please visit https://lnkd.in/gZFYj6vc. To learn more about EI in Colorado, visit https://lnkd.in/gYtezjxn. Be sure to look back at our social posts to see all four parts of our EI series!

There are still spots left in the Exceptional Rodeo at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday, July 28, at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo for Disability Awareness Day! The Exceptional Rodeo pairs real cowboys, cowgirls, and local rodeo queens with children and adults with disabilities in an adaptive rodeo event where they will work together through a series of modified rodeo events. Register below: English RSVP: https://bit.ly/3VI1CAd Spanish RSVP: https://bit.ly/3zz12NO Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gS9-qvrB. We can't wait to see you there!

Welcome to Part 3 of our series focusing on DP's Early Intervention (EI) journey: Service Coordination and Making an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)! Once it has been determined that your child qualifies for Early Intervention (EI) in Arapahoe, Douglas, or Elbert County, a DP service coordinator (SC) will work with you to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) tailored to your family’s needs and priorities. Your SC will help find you a service provider compatible with your family’s schedule and coordinate the first visit via Telehealth or in person. Services include parent coaching and support that empower parents to utilize daily interactions to foster their child's growth. Parents/caregivers play an active role in working with a primary provider to address your child’s specific developmental concerns. Your SC will conduct monthly check-ins to plan services and monitor progress. For more details or to contact our team, please visit https://lnkd.in/gZFYj6vc. To learn more about Early Intervention Colorado, visit https://lnkd.in/gYtezjxn. Continue to check out our social media pages for past and future installments of our EI series!

Let us know if DP is your family's favorite local outreach program or top choice for pediatric therapy! Show your support by casting your vote for us in this year's Colorado Parent Family Favorites Contest. Remember, you can vote for us every day until August 15. Vote for us as your favorite outreach program in the “Local” category at https://bit.ly/3W0iFPJ. Vote for us as your favorite pediatric therapy group in the "Family Health" category at https://bit.ly/4cWEupA. Once you submit, please share with your friends and family! #VoteNow #FamilyFavorites2024

DP is in search of volunteers for Disability Awareness Day at the 2024 Douglas County Fair & Rodeo! We are looking for 10-20 volunteers who are familiar with our community’s unique needs. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form at https://bit.ly/4cDq50U. Volunteers will primarily support the Exceptional Rodeo, where they will support participants through modified rodeo activities. Agency partners are welcome to wear their agency shirts and provide one handout to include in the DP tent. For questions, please contact [email protected].

DP is in search of volunteers for Disability Awareness Day at the 2024 Arapahoe County Fair! We are looking for 10-20 volunteers for each event who are familiar with our community’s unique needs. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form at https://bit.ly/4cDq50U. Volunteers will primarily support the Exceptional Rodeo, where they will support participants through modified rodeo activities. Agency partners are welcome to wear their agency shirts and provide one handout to include in the DP tent. For questions, please contact [email protected].

DP members, families, and caregivers: you’re invited to our Open House to connect and get support! RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Please respond by August 6, 2024, at https://bit.ly/3S7EJ8H.

Welcome to Part 2 of our series on DP's Early Intervention (EI) journey: Eligibility and Evaluation for Services! In this series, we explain how we support families with a child up to age three with a significant delay in development and/or qualifying diagnosis in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert counties. Once the EI intake with DP is completed, what comes next? You and your child will participate in a multi-disciplinary evaluation set up by an Intake Coordinator. Children can receive Early Intervention (EI) services if they have a significant delay of 25% or more in two or more areas of development or a 33% or more delay in one or more areas of development, qualify for EI Colorado services with a diagnosed condition likely to cause delay, or live with a parent with a developmental disability. If your child is determined to be eligible, your family will be connected with a service coordinator (SC) to arrange services in-home or in the community. In collaboration with your family’s SC and a service provider, you will develop your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to outline the services needed to address your priorities and concerns regarding your child’s development. For more information or to get in touch with our team, please visit https://lnkd.in/gZFYj6vc. To learn more about EI in Colorado, visit https://lnkd.in/gYtezjxn. Stay tuned to our social media pages for upcoming installments of our EI series!

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth! This month serves to empower and celebrate individuals with disabilities and amplify their voices in all parts of society. This movement is fueled by the unwavering dedication of activists and community members, past and present, who strive for representation and equality. Their continuous commitment to addressing the needs of the disability community has created incredible change and continues to move the work forward, and for that, we are truly grateful. Join the celebration by promoting more inclusivity and accessibility in your everyday life or educating yourself on being a more supportive ally! Started in 1964, Developmental Pathways (DP) is a nonprofit agency serving more than 15,000 individuals with disabilities and their families. We believe full inclusion and participation in community life are attainable for everyone! Through our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts, we work to create spaces for marginalized communities to have their voices heard. We strive to ensure accessibility and inclusion are at the forefront of our actions, allowing everyone to feel and know they truly belong.