This calendar features upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with RMHS and our community partners. Use the filter to view RMHS-hosted events or other events happening in the community.
Differentiating between psychosis, trauma responses, and behaviors related to intellectual and developmental disabilities can be challenging. Case examples will highlight common pitfalls and best practices. Who Should Attend This Session: Psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, crisis teams, care coordinators, and support staff. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
Explore ways to support early language development, build engagement, and encourage communication in infants and toddlers. To learn more about Denver Early Steps class offerings, visit this page.
Staff from RMHS Denver Early Steps (DES) will be at the Den Family Social Club for a screening event for Denver families with children ages birth to 5. They’ll be available to talk about your child’s development and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
The Autism Community Store Resource Fair is Colorado’s largest autism-focused resource fair, bringing together a wide range of organizations and services for individuals with autism and the broader neurodiverse community to explore and connect. The event will also feature sensory-friendly activities, bounce houses, and more. RMHS will be there to share information about our organization and the resources we offer.
Learn the difference between typical picky eating and more complex feeding challenges. You will also learn what is developmentally expected and walk away with strategies to support your child. To learn more about Denver Early Steps class offerings, visit this page.
This session examines the strong connection between sleep, behavior, and mental health in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will learn to assess sleep concerns, identify contributing factors, and implement practical strategies aligned with START prevention principles. Who Should Attend This Session: Clinicians, nurses, direct support professionals, behavior specialists, and residential staff. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
Learn how to cue your child to use practical, everyday signs, understand the benefits of signing, and clear up common misconceptions about using signs with your child. To learn more about Denver Early Steps class offerings, visit this page.
Learn the difference between typical picky eating and more complex feeding challenges. You will also learn what is developmentally expected and walk away with strategies to support your child. To learn more about Denver Early Steps class offerings, visit this page.
This training explores how talk therapy can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will learn concrete strategies to modify language, pacing, and expectations while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. START values of accessibility and individualized care are central. Who Should Attend This Session: Therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and behavioral health providers. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
This session addresses the risks and realities of polypharmacy in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities Participants will learn how to recognize medication-related concerns, support informed decision-making, and collaborate across systems to reduce unnecessary medication burden using START-informed practices. Who Should Attend This Session: Prescribers, nurses, pharmacists, clinicians, care coordinators, and host home providers. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
This training highlights employment as a key social determinant of health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will explore strategies to support meaningful, sustainable employment while addressing behavioral health and system barriers through a START-informed lens. Who Should Attend This Session: Vocational staff, employment specialists, case managers, educators, and clinicians. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
This session reviews common endocrine disorders in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how they may affect mood, behavior, and overall functioning. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs and advocate for integrated medical and behavioral care. Who Should Attend This Session: Medical providers, nurses, psychiatrists, direct support professionals, and host home providers. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
Jose is currently the Co-Executive Director of El Grupo Vida, a member of the Developmental Disabilities Council, Chairman of the COPA board of directors, and wears other hats. For the 14 years prior he served as the Information Technology Manager, and a Volunteer Non-Attorney Advocate & Volunteer Lobbyist for the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC).
Jose brings his expertise with IT from 14 years of experience as an Independent Contractor and serving in other technical roles. With degrees in Advanced Computer & Internet Systems and International Law, certification as a Non-Attorney Advocate by CCDC, and multilingual communication in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, as well as legal language, Jose offers a strong ability to analyze and comprehend various communications. In addition, Jose has also previously served as a participant of Participant Directed Programs Policy Collaborative (PDPPC) and many other boards and commissions for different state departments.
Jose spends a great deal of time reading about politics, geopolitics, current international affairs, sociology, applied physics and quantum physics, and enjoys watching movies, especially comedy, romantic comedy, martial arts and specific action-thrillers. Jose’s family spans from Guatemala to Norway, although still remains close. His nephew has undiagnosed Autism, which he found out while collaborating as a CCDC Non-Attorney Advocate with The Autism Society of Colorado.
Lorin is the Executive Director and founding member of The Windmill School – a nonprofit, inclusive K-5 school where she is responsible for the development, launch, and implementation of school policies and procedures. Lorin received her Master’s in Education and Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon. Prior to the Windmill school, Lorin worked as a project manager for the Aurora Mental Health Center.
Stewart Tucker Lundy is a graduate of Howard University, and he brings a broad and deep history of community service to the RMHS board. Mr. Lundy is a board member and actor for the Phamaly Theatre Company. He served for six years on Blueprint Denver, a city planning, land use and transportation task force. Additionally, he served as a commissioner on the Denver Commission for Persons with Disabilities for five years.
Mr. Lundy was appointed to the RMHS Board beginning April 1, 2021.
Joseph Derdzinski is a senior international development and governance adviser, an associate professor of political science, and a member of organizations that promote the support of persons with developmental disabilities. Joseph earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, a Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
His research and consulting interests center on the study of the political processes of post-authoritarian states, and how political institutions can be employed to reduce violence. Joseph served on observation missions for the recent, highly-fraught elections in Egypt and Afghanistan, and conducted and published research to help the Ukrainian government develop an accountable national guard. During the 2016-17 academic year, he taught courses on international politics, the politics of Africa, and comparative politics.
Prior to entering academe, Joseph was a U.S. Air Force officer, where he worked extensively with security service colleagues throughout northern Europe. He also led the first US military security detachment in Bosnia during NATO’s implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, where he worked with Bosnia’s security services in their post-conflict transition.
Bill is currently a partner in the Denver Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer, and previously a partner in the Denver office of Armstrong Teasdale LLP and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Higher Education practice group, specializing in resolving difficult legal, policy and compliance issues for highly regulated entities. He has tried scores of cases and made appellate arguments to federal and state courts and administrative agencies around the country and has fifteen years of experience serving as general counsel for two companies. Bill has previously served as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer for Alta Colleges, Inc., Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary for Valor Communications Group, Inc. and Corporate Counsel for US WEST Communications, Inc. In addition to his legal practice, Bill serves as Chairman of the Board of the Wayfaring Band, Inc. and is on the Board of Directors of Colorado UpLift. Bill earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, specialization in Accounting, from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law. He is married with 4 children and lives in the Greenwood Village area. Bill enjoys skiing, golfing, and cooking.
Mara Kailin is a licensed bilingual clinical psychologist with extensive experience in behavioral health treatment with underserved and diverse populations, as well as administrative and leadership experience with a large nonprofit organization. Dr. Kailin currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at Aurora Mental Health Center with oversight of approximately 700 staff in nearly 50 different programs in dozens of clinics in the community. She has a PsyD from Rutgers University and a BA from Wesleyan.
