Annual IDD Awareness Day at the Capitol 2015
We are encourge all members, guests, and legislators that use social media to use #COIDD on Facebook and Twitter to share your updates and photos. Remember, you do not need to have a twitter account to enjoy the updates and pictures. Just visit www.twitter.com/#COIDD
Pledge of Allegiance
Congratulations to Karie Valdez from Blue Peaks in Alamosa and Matt Troeger from Horizons in Steamboat Springs. Karie and Matt have been selected to lead the Pledge of Allegiance in the Senate and House at 9:00am on February 18th. Please join us in supporting them from the House and Senate galleries.
IDD Awarness Day Resolution 15-1014
Click HERE to read the IDD Awareness Day House Joint Respolution 15-1014 (Sponsors: Rep.Young, Rep. Landgraf, Sen. Lambert, and Sen. Newell)
Please join us in congratulating our 2015 Direct Support Professional Finalists!
The DSP nominees share several things in common – a willingness to go above and beyond what is required of them, an ability to see solutions where others only see barriers, and most importantly, a deep and unyielding commitment to the individuals they serve.
We are excited to announce the finalists for the Direct Services Professional of the Year Award! The winner will be announced at the Alliance Awareness Day Luncheon on February 18th.
-
Deb Rhoads with Developmental Pathways/Continuum
-
Diane Harris with Foothills Gateway
-
Tommy Larson with Horizons Specialized Services
-
Sylvia McFeaters with Horizons Specialized Services
-
Donald Romero with Inspiration Field
Congratulations to all nominees who do great work for the people we serve!
IDD AWARENESS DAY DOCUMENTS & RELEVANT INFORMATION:
2015 Direct Support Professional Honoree: Donald Romero with Inspiration Field
Donald started with InspirationField in March of 2002, and has had several opportunities to climb the ladder in his career, but he refuses to walk away from the individuals he works with. As in every employment setting, staff come and go and some leave the individuals feeling abandoned. Donald refuses to leave that feeling with them; his heart is with direct support and one of his top goals is to see at least one of the guys graduate the program. It is his dream to watch them and guide them to reach their highest potential. Donald has developed respectful, trusting relationships with the individuals he works with. Donald’s supportive family understands his passion for what he does and knows he will make up for lost time. Donald’s dedication, patience, and motivation are well worth the recognition. Donald is a great inspiration to ALL direct support staff and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Congratulations Donald!
2015 Keynote: Dr. David Braddock
David Braddock, Ph.D. is Senior Associate Vice President of the University of Colorado (CU) system and Executive Director of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. He also holds the endowed Coleman-Turner Chair in cognitive disability and is a professor in the School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Dr. Braddock was previously at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for over 20 years and is professor emeritus. He was founding head of the UIC's academic Department of Disability and Human Development, and was instrumental in establishing several innovative programs including the nation's first PhD program in disability studies, the Illinois University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities Project, the CDC-funded National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, and centers in assistive technology, aging, and the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center on the implementation of the ADA. Prior to UIC, he held positions in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare's Secretary's Committee on Mental Retardation and the Council for Exceptional Children.
His publications primarily focus on long-term care, health promotion and disease prevention and public policy toward disability. He has given presentations in 48 states and seven foreign countries and provided invited testimony in the legislatures of 15 states. His research has influenced mental disability legislation, litigation, and appropriations decisions in many states and nationally. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including most recently the 2013 ANCOR Foundation President's Award, 2012 AAIDD Leadership Award, and the 2011 Thomas Jefferson Award from the Board of Regents of the University of Colorado.
Alliance Members and Invited Guests Only
