Check out the current news and information about developmental disabilities (including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, Prader-Willi syndrome, etc.) to the left. To the right, find resources on this web site and links to other sites to support people who are waiting for services in El Paso, Park and Teller Counties.
How We Have Gotten Here
In Colorado, services to people with developmental disabilities are managed by Community Centered Boards, or CCBs. For El Paso, Park, and Teller Counties, the CCB is The Resource Exchange (TRE). Like other CCBs, this nonprofit organization receives funds from Federal Medicaid dollars and State Legislative match dollars. A combination of an extremely small General Fund in the State of Colorado, plus a distribution formula that does not account for El Paso County's growth, plus State Constitutional measures that limit growth of Colorado's General Fund have resulted in a lack of funding for about 1,200 people in The Resource Exchange's service area. These people are placed on a Wait List to receive services for which they have been already deemed eligible.
The Family Carer Network was created to have a natural support available for families on the Wait List. Since the average wait for services in the TRE service area is between seven and ten years, people and their families are encouraged to join the Family Carer Network to support to each other.
An Active Force of Change
A positive outcome of these families gathering together has been the Network's involvement in seeking systems change. People with developmental disabilities and their families have become more active in contacting elected officials to address policy issues that drive services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Any one interested in changing policy and laws that govern the delivery system of supports and services is also encouraged to participate in the Family Carer Network.
Check out the links along the sides to see how your elected officials are advocating for people with developmental disabilities through current legislation.