Colorado is one of a group of 10 states/jurisdiction that has been selected to be a Community of Practice on Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Developmental Disabilities (CoP). The goal is to transform the state developmental disability systems to promote cultural and linguistic competence through changes through changes in policy, practice, values, and structures. Our core leadership team include the state Developmental Disabilities system (HCPF) - Tasia Sinn; University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (JFK Partners) - Sandra Friedman and Renee Charlifue-Smith; state Protection and Advocacy agency (Disability Law Colorado) - Shannon MacKenzie; DD Council (Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council) - Joelle Brunner; and The Arc of Colorado - Christiano Sosa.
An Advisory Committee has been selected and includes a diverse representation of persons with lived experiences, caregivers, providers and related stakeholders of culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse groups. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to guide
efforts to increase cultural and linguistic competency in Colorado's
system of long-term services and supports serving individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. The vision is that all
systems within Colorado that individuals with disabilities and their
families encounter will be responsive to their beliefs, values,
attitudes, language, needs and wishes to facilitate meaningful inclusion
across their lifespan. To achieve that vision, the team would like to
partner with community members of culturally and linguistically diverse
groups to understand barriers in the system for individuals with diverse
backgrounds to accessing services and identify and guide the
implementation of potential solutions.
The CoP is funded by the Administration on Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Community Living,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through a five-year
Cooperative Agreement.
A Guide for Advancing Family-Centered and Culturally and Linguistically Competent Care
Using Data on Race and Ethnicity to Improve Health Care Quality for Medicaid Beneficiaries
Cultural and Linguistic Competence Assessment for Disability Organizations