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) - Patrick Hackney; DD council (Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council) - Sue Fager; The Arc of Colorado - Christiano Sosa; and Family Voices - Tom Rose.
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.
Seeking Advisory Committee Members
The CoP is currently seeking applications for an Advisory Committee through Oct 20, 2018. 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 Advisory Committee, once assembled, will work together to create a charter outlining the work of the committee and the schedule of meetings. Applicants should expect to commit a minimum of 3-5 hours a month to the Advisory Committee. Membership will be based on ensuring diverse representation and will be inclusive of persons with lived experiences, caregivers, providers and related stakeholders of culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse groups.