THINK+change Podcasts

Common Work & Financial Questions featuring Melanie Honsbruch, CPWIC, Curriculum Developer and Trainer at the Colorado Office of Employment First (OEF) – What the “Employment First” philosophy is (1:55); – Where “Employment First” is implemented in the United States (6:30); – How can someone get involved in Employment First advocacy (9:45) – Learn about job equity and “Competitive Integrated Emplo...

Medicaid Buy-In featuring Beverly Hirsekorn, Disability and Aged Policy and Program Performance Coordinator at CO Department of Health Care & Financing (HCPF) – Who is HCPF (1:50) – Medicaid & Eligibility (3:23) – Learn about Colorado’s Medicaid Buy-In programs (10:04) – Maintaining Medicaid Buy-In Eligibility (16:30) – Accessing and Applying for Medicaid Buy-in (17:25) – How to apply online at th...

Benefits Counseling featuring Shantelle Rockman, Executive Director of Integrating Supports Colorado – What a benefits counselor/planner is (2:37) – The importance of understanding your benefits (4:27) – Advice about staying safe from benefits trafficking (6:20) – How to locate and get started with a benefits counselor/planner (7:14) - You can access co.db101.org or the CO Office of Employment Fir...

ABLE Accounts & Asset Limit featuring Mike Keglovits, ABLE & Special Programs Manager at CollegeInvest – What the Federal Benefit Asset Limit and introduction into ABLE accounts (2:20) – How an ABLE account can help individuals with disabilities save (2:52) – ABLE accounts and Trusts (3:28) – Learn about new legislation for ABLE accounts (5:10) – Opening an ABLE account (10:00) Acronym used in thi...

Foster care is a temporary arrangement that gives youth a safe place to live when their parents or family of origin are unable to safely care for them. The ultimate goal is to safely reunite a child with their family and to make a positive, long-lasting change in their lives. When parents and/or children with a developmental disability enter the foster care system, both placement and reunification...

Part 4 of 4 of our multi-part series: Expanding Access and CBD Therapies for People with Developmental Disabilities Episode 4: Epidiolex (cannabidiol) & Developmental Disabilities Featuring: Laura Borgelt, PhramD, MBA at CU Anschutz Medical Campus -What Epidiolex is and what it's currently approved for; -Learn about continuing research on Epidiolex use for other disabilities and health conditions;...

Part 3 of 4 of our multi-part series: Expanding Access and CBD Therapies for People with Developmental Disabilities Episode 3: CBD in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)  Featuring Bridget Dandaraw-Serritt - Founder of ACT (Advocates for Compassionate Therapy) Now -Discover the present reality of administering CBD in HBCS settings in Colorado; -What individuals can do to expand their access t...

Part 2 of 4 of our multi-part series: Expanding Access and CBD Therapies for People with Developmental Disabilities Episode 2: CBD in School settings  Featuring Bridget Dandaraw-Serritt - Founder of ACT (Advocates for Compassionate Therapy) Now -Understand the current reality of administering CBD in schools in Colorado; -What parents can do to expand access to CBD for their children in school; and...

Part 1 of 4 of our multi-part series: Expanding Access and CBD Therapies for People with Developmental Disabilities Episode 1: CBD 101 & Developmental Disabilities (DD) Featuring Adam Young - Development Officer and Care Specialist at the Realm of Caring Foundation. -What CBD is, and why people are interested in exploring its medical and therapeutic uses; -Hear stories about the effects CBD has ha...

Relationships are part of the human experience, regardless of disability. But, those with disabilities may face implicit bias, assumptions, and microaggressions from those in the community who are unprepared to understand the unique nuances of those relationships. This podcast shares the perspectives of two married couples, a person who identifies as femme queer, and a relationship coach for neuro...

Dr. Paul Spragg specializes in clinical, school, and forensic psychology and applied behavior analysis for children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders to include Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. This THINK+change podcast interview reviews: the history of HRC, and what its intent was; how the rights of people with IDD will change once the Final Settings Rule...

This THINK+change podcast episode defines what the Final Settings Rule is; and how it applies and why it matters for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to have real and meaningful choices in their day-to-day lives and; how people can manage safety while also allowing natural hazards via The Dignity of Risk.

This THINK+change podcast episode describes what Human, Civil, and Political Rights are; defines what it means to have rights removed, restricted, or suspended when enrolled on the Colorado HCBS Developmental Disability Waiver; reviews processes to protect individuals with an IDD; explains the Human Rights Committee (HRC) makeup within Comunity Centered Boards (CCB); clarifies what Informed Consen...

For our 3rd and final episode for the Special Education Services: IEP vs 504 series, we met with Dr. Jacque Phillips, Esq. She is a special education lawyer that promotes justice in education throughout the Denver Metro Area, nationally and internationally. Dr. Phillips has 10+ years in special education law and has a doctorate in special education. This interview reviews: -What parental rights ar...

This episode is part 2 of a 3 part IEP vs 504 series about Special Education Services. This episode reviews: Episode 2: IEP vs. 504, what are the common issues and solutions? -How to request an IEP or 504; -Disability Type: Medical vs. Educational Diagnosis; -IEP goal changes as the child ages; -Extended School Year (ESY); -Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP); and -Accommodations. This 3-part recorde...

This episode is part 1 of a 3 part IEP vs 504 series about Special Education Services. This episode reviews: -What an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 are; -The differences between an IEP and 504 plan; and -Future planning. This 3-part recorded vodcast/podcast series helps you understand the basics about IEPs, 504s, how to navigate common challenges, build solutions, and also feature...

The lived experience of disability varies, both among people with disabilities and among racial and ethnic groups. All people should be able to engage in everyday activities regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, or disability. But, many still face barriers. This podcast features the perspectives of four individuals from different racial backgrounds including North African Arab, Vietnames...

People with disabilities are victims of crime at a substantially higher rate compared to the general public, which impacts their ability to live safely in many community settings. This series reviews victimization statistics, unique crimes against people with disabilities, and how to support victims with disabilities. In this podcast episode, we review victim advocacy and support with special gues...

People with disabilities are victims of crime at a substantially higher rate compared to the general public, which impacts their ability to live safely in many community settings. This series reviews victimization statistics, unique crimes against people with disabilities, and how to support victims with disabilities. In this podcast episode, we review Forensic Interviewing, Hearsay exception, ADA...

People with disabilities are victims of crime at a substantially higher rate compared to the general public, which impacts their ability to live safely in many community settings. This series reviews victimization statistics, unique crimes against people with disabilities, and how to support victims with disabilities. In this podcast episode, we review Mandatory Reporting, the difference between o...

People with disabilities have been fighting for their rights for decades. While many areas of community life have improved, people with disabilities often have trouble successfully navigating loving long-term intimate relationships. This episode "Planning for the future" features special guest Von Limbaugh from the Limbaugh Law Firm as we navigate Advanced Directives, having children, and Estate P...

People with disabilities have been fighting for their rights for decades. While many areas of community life have improved, people with disabilities often have trouble successfully navigating loving long-term intimate relationships. This episode "Strategies to make it work" reviews civil union, domestic partnerships, and common law "traps", becoming a paid caregiver, and adjusting benefits and ban...

People with disabilities have been fighting for their rights for decades. While many areas of community life have improved, people with disabilities often have trouble successfully navigating loving long-term intimate relationships. This episode "Finding Love" evaluates guardianship considerations, safe ways to meet people, impact on benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Home and Community-Bas...

Meet Hazel Heckers, a Victim Assistance Coordinator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Hazel is an expert concerning crimes against the elderly and people with disabilities and provides direct services and support to crime victims throughout Colorado. This 1-part podcast/vodcast provides information about: -Who the CBI is; -Why CBI victim advocates are needed; -What services CBI prov...

Can the system of services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities unknowingly impede a person’s dignity of risk? In this episode, we’ll talk about the right to make decisions, even if they result in challenges or mistakes!