As summer winds down and families prepare for a new school year, RMHS is sharing timely resources, supportive programs and stories that show what is possible when people have access to the right information and opportunities. In this edition, you’ll find: The final article in our series on Colorado’s long-term care system, free Hanen programs for eligible Denver families, a Denver mother’s story about celebrating her son’s milestones, free back-to-school events and school supplies in Denver and Adams counties, and highlights from Pride and Juneteenth—and more ways to connect with RMHS.
As summer continues, we're sharing a new RMHS program, educational resources, community partnerships, and family-friendly ideas designed to support individuals and families across Colorado. In this edition, you'll find: An introduction to INCLUDE, RMHS' new housing stability program, part 4 of our series on understanding Colorado's Long-Term Care System, a spotlight on Move Through Yoga and its impact on students with I/DD, and family-friendly Colorado day trips and summer adventure ideas.
As the new school year begins, RMHS is here to support your family with helpful resources designed to set students up for success—both in the classroom and beyond.
Searching for affordable housing can feel overwhelming. Learn why the process is so complex and access free resources, including RMHS' Front Range Affordable Housing Providers Guide and practical tips to help organize your search.
The new school year is just around the corner, and organizations across Denver and Adams counties are helping families prepare. From free backpacks and school supplies to food, family activities and community resources, these upcoming events offer helpful ways to start the school year feeling prepared and connected.
Throughout this series, one organization has consistently appeared: the Case Management Agency (CMA). This final article explores the vital role CMAs and case managers play in helping Colorado’s long-term services and supports system serve individuals and families.
Denver mother Huong shares her family's journey raising her 7-year-old son, Oliver, who has Down syndrome, and how Rocky Mountain Human Services' Denver Mill Levy Program has helped him thrive.
A Mill Levy Community Initiative bringing movement, connection, and emotional well-being to Denver students with I/DD through adaptive yoga.
By the time individuals and families hear about a change, many conversations, approvals, and implementation decisions may have already occurred. That can make the change feel sudden, even when it has been moving through the system for months or longer.
As summer begins, we’re sharing resources, family supports, and community updates to help children, caregivers, and families stay connected and informed throughout the season. This edition includes Part 3 of our series on Colorado’s Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) system, practical tips for supporting toddler language development at home, summer reading and learning programs for children and youth, upcoming community events and opportunities to connect with RMHS, and more. Thanks for reading!

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.

My connection to Colorado’s long-term care system began unexpectedly in the 1980s when I accompanied my mother to work at the Grand Junction Regional Center, an institution in Western Colorado serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This experience ultimately served as the foundation for my professional career.
Over the past 35 years, I have worked across nearly every level of the long-term care system, starting as a Direct Support Professional and progressing through case management, executive leadership, and state policy roles. My experience includes more than 15 years in executive leadership positions and six years working on Medicaid policy with the State of Colorado.
Having served rural and urban communities, as well as within provider organizations, case management agencies, and state government, I bring a broad systems perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing long-term services and supports. My work has focused on strengthening service delivery systems, improving organizational effectiveness, and advancing policies that support individuals with disabilities and older adults.
Today, I continue to support organizations and system leaders to improve operations, navigate complex policy environments, and achieve better outcomes for the people and communities they serve. I am honored to bring this experience to the Rocky Mountain Human Services Board of Directors and support its mission of embracing the power of community to help individuals and families create their future.

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.