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.
El Grupo Vida is hosting its annual summer picnic, a wonderful opportunity for families and children with disabilities to connect, share resources, and build community. The event will also feature Spanish-speaking families and resources to support diverse needs.
This training explores how individuals with I/DD experience emergencies differently and how miscommunication can escalate crises. Participants will learn practical strategies to improve emergency response, reduce trauma, and promote diversion when appropriate.
Learn about D11 leaders’ priorities for 2026 and have your voice heard on what’s most pressing. Participants will have access to community resources and giveaways.
This session reviews common gastrointestinal issues in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how they often present as behavioral or psychiatric concerns. Participants will learn to recognize red flags, advocate for appropriate medical evaluation, and integrate health considerations into behavior support planning. Who Should Attend This Session: Medical providers, nurses, behavioral health clinicians, direct support professionals, case managers, and HHPs. To learn more about the Denver START program, visit this page.
Learn how to recognize signs your baby is ready for solid foods and how to introduce them safely and confidently. This class covers feeding safety, allergen introduction, and practical strategies to help the transition to solids go smoothly. Whether your baby has yet to start eating solids or is having difficulty transitioning to solids, learn more about feeding your baby by attending this class. To learn more about Denver Early Steps class offerings, visit this page.
The Arc of Adams County is hosting an Intellectual and Developmental Disability Resource Fair, providing community members with access to information about disability services and supports. Attendees can also explore disability services, healthcare options, and employment resources.
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.
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.
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.
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.
