Concerned Community Leaders Speak Out On Colorado Olmstead Frustrations & Needs
 Julie Reiskin (right), Executive Director of the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC)
Julie's E-mail to Val "You are not the only one that feels this way. "CCDC is about to launch an initiative #Vote4Medicaid to create a large coalition aimed at getting our new Governor started on the right track." 
E-mail from our Board Member Adam Kippes "I gather the State is being as (politely) evasive and unresponsive as ever. Hang in there." |
 Bob Lawhead, Policy Advisor to the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council
Bob's E-mail to the State
"Good morning- "I enthusiastically agree with Val on the need for numeric, measurable Olmstead goals. "I have been working with the State for some time now on just producing the data so we could better understand where segregation is occurring and what progress we are making in reducing it. "This particular reference is to HCPF and Colorado's HCBS waivers. Without good data and numeric goals we have no way of documenting the state's intent to become Olmstead compliant. "Rhode Island and Oregon have recently been court-ordered to comply with ten year integration plans resulting from settlement agreements addressing the systemic segregation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Colorado demographics appear to be quite similar to these states. "It would be preferred to remedy these issues with a reasonable and measurable Olmstead Plan that clearly communicates the state's commitment and progress in this area. "I look forward to learning more about Colorado's Olmstead compliance efforts." Bob Lawhead |