Encontrar oportunidades de empleo, prepararse para votar o atravesar una transición importante en la vida puede ser más fácil cuando se cuenta con información útil y apoyo. En esta edición encontrará, una nueva guía de recursos de empleo y desarrollo profesional para personas con discapacidades en Colorado, una mirada más cercana al rol del apoyo de pares en dos programas de RMHS, información sobre votación accesible y fechas límite importantes para prepararse para las elecciones del 3 de noviembre, una oportunidad para contribuir a nuestra guía anual de recursos para las fiestas. ¡Y mucho más!
Desde recursos prácticos para la votación y la administración de casos hasta nueva información sobre vivienda y los logros de nuestros programas, el boletín de este mes ofrece información útil y una mirada más cercana al trabajo que se está realizando en RMHS. En esta edición conozca lo que muestra el Conteo PIT (Point-in-Time Count) de 2026 y cómo los programas de RMHS apoyan la estabilidad de vivienda, prepárese para las próximas elecciones en Colorado con información accesible para la votación, de un vistazo a los primeros cuatro años de Denver START y lo que viene para el programa, acceda a una guía sencilla para inscribirse en los servicios de Administración de Casos, póngase al día con las novedades recientes de RMHS.
Exploring career opportunities, preparing to vote, and navigating major life transitions can be easier with the right information and support. In this month’s RMHS Community Newsletter, you’ll find a new guide to employment and career resources for people with disabilities in Colorado, a closer look at how peer support makes a difference across two RMHS programs, accessible voting information and key deadlines ahead of the November 3 election, an opportunity to contribute to our annual Holiday Resource Guide, and more. Thanks for reading!
From accessible voting information and case management resources to housing insights and program milestones, this month’s newsletter highlights helpful resources and the work happening across RMHS. Explore the latest findings from the 2026 Point-in-Time Count and how RMHS programs support housing stability, prepare for Colorado’s upcoming election with accessible voting information, celebrate four years of Denver START and learn what’s ahead, find a step-by-step guide to enrolling in case management services, and catch up on recent news and happenings across RMHS. Thanks for reading!
Explore employment and career resources for people with disabilities across Colorado. This guide connects individuals, families, and supporters with inclusive employers, job search tools, workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation services, and youth career training opportunities to help build skills, explore career paths, and achieve employment goals.
Through shared experience and consistent support, peer support specialists help people build trust and work toward their goals in Homes for All Veterans and Community Transitions.
New data from the Denver metro area and El Paso County shows fewer people experiencing homelessness, while highlighting the value of coordinated housing and supportive services.
Denver START's four-year evolution is the story of a program that began by building a new crisis-response service and has grown into a clinical resource, training partner and connector across Denver's behavioral health and I/DD systems.
The 2026 General Election is November 3. Learn about Colorado’s voting options, including voting by mail, in person, and accessible voting options, as well as the rights and accommodations available to people with disabilities. Planning ahead can help you find the voting option that works best for you. Read the full blog to learn more about your voting rights and how to make a plan for Election Day.
Compartimos herramientas prácticas y orientación clara para ayudar a las personas y las familias a comprender mejor los sistemas complejos, prepararse para el año escolar y conectarse con recursos comunitarios útiles. En esta edición, encontrará nuestra serie completa de cinco partes sobre el sistema de atención a largo plazo de Colorado, ahora disponible en un solo lugar; la Guía de Recursos de RMHS para un Año Escolar Exitoso 2026–27; consejos prácticos para navegar la búsqueda de vivienda asequible; información sobre las capacitaciones de Educación Clínica de Denver START, que ahora se ofrecen en un formato híbrido; y mucho más. ¡Gracias por leernos!

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.