Results from Colorado Point in Time (PIT) counts have been released, and the numbers show an increase in overall homelessness in the Denver Metro area, an overall decrease in Colorado Springs, and a decrease in homelessness for Veterans in both cities. In this article, we will break down the results of the 2023 PIT Survey and explore the changing rate of people experiencing homelessness from last year.
July 24 is International Self-Care Day, a time to recognize the importance of taking action to improve and maintain your own wellbeing. Self-care is for everyone, but it can be even more important for differently abled individuals because self-care can help manage the challenges that come with living with a disability. Self-care activities can reduce stress, ease symptoms of mental health conditions, and improve overall wellbeing. Read on for targeted tips and tricks to help you feel your best.
A look at one Denver family’s journey toward helping their daughter with special needs to thrive in the safety and comfort of her home
Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) was recognized as one of Colorado’s best large companies to work for on the 2023 Denver Post Top Workplaces list, an employer recognition program that is based on employee feedback.
Earth Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate the bounty of our planet and recognize that our everyday efforts can and do affect its health. Many people choose to celebrate this day by engaging in environmentally conscious activities, educating themselves about environmental issues, or simply appreciating the beauty of our planet.
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to recognize the differences, strengths, and challenges that those in the autism community experience. This month is a time to move beyond simple awareness of autism and work toward creating a society that truly accepts and celebrates neurodiversity.
Even the most dedicated of social workers and caregivers can sometimes struggle to handle the consistent levels of empathy and problem-solving skills that coincide with the role. Often, people in the helping professions suffer from what is called compassion fatigue - a common sense of burnout that occurs when a caregiver becomes intrinsically preoccupied with the ongoing needs of the people they support and the subsequent pull to be compassionate and empathetic.
In September 2022, RMHS collaborated with the National START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment) Services team and Denver Human Services to launch the Denver START program. START is a nationally recognized program that provides mental health crisis care specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This program includes crisis prevention and 24/7 crisis intervention services, a person and family-centered approach, and team members who are START certified with unique training and experience in the mental health aspects of I/DD.
There are many ways to honor Black History Month, and this year, RMHS invites you to support Black-owned businesses in the community we support.
The new year is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the past year and make new goals for the year ahead. Finding ways to improve our lives is one of the most inspiring and fulfilling goals we can make, and there are endless ways for individuals of all ability levels to participate in the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Here are a few of the most enriching New Year’s resolutions and how community resources can help you or a loved one achieve them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.