Friday, August 28, 2015

Good News Friday!

I think Imagine! is a great place to work. So do many of our employees. Need proof? Below, you will find several very short videos featuring employees from various departments at Imagine! discussing why they like working here. Alone or combined, the videos are a testament to our organization and the amazing employees who embrace our mission.

 Robin Braa 
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Bridget Carroll
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

 Sarah Fenton 
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Doris Franco
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Richard Lowe
  Can’t see the video? Click here

 Sierra Lund
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Mason Turnage
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Chantelle Tweten
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

 Lucy Williams
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Out & About With . . . Core Wisdom and Starbucks



Imagine!’s Out & About department would like to extend a huge thank you to the families that joined them on August 22 for the launch of their new program, “Thank Goodness It’s Saturday!” (TGIS).

TGIS is a program that offers self-care activities for parents and providers, while also providing Out & About's usual therapeutic recreational activities for children - both regular attendees of Out & About and their siblings. Out & About understands that planning personal time can be difficult with having children, so they plan and provide the activity for you! The events for adults are free of charge and run the duration of the children's activity.

The success of this first TGIS event would not have been what it was without the expertise of Core Wisdom and generosity of those at Starbucks on 30th and Arapahoe in Boulder. Many thanks to Kim at Core Wisdom and Brad at Starbucks! As family members enjoyed a work out with Core Wisdom, O&A participants reveled in a hike and games with friends that they’ve made attending O&A activities. All enjoyed treats from Starbucks.




Out & About is excited about the success of the inaugural TGIS, and looks forward to many more!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Dayspring Community Connectors: AEC Trust

Imagine!’s Dayspring department’s Community Calendar Activities (CCAs) introduce families with young children who have developmental disabilities or delays to places in our community that offer great activities and opportunities for children to meet their goals through fun and play. All activities encourage motor, sensory, social-emotional, cognitive, and speech-language development.

Each location has activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. Activities are centered around play, because play is the primary vehicle for a child’s mental and physical growth. Play has a vital role in cognitive, speech-language, physical, emotional and social development.

Much of young children’s learning takes place when they direct their own play. Learning occurs as children touch, manipulate, experiment and talk about things, while interacting with people who facilitate without directing. During play, children are provided with sensory experiences and opportunities to move. Young children need to climb, run, jump and challenge themselves motorically. Children are natural explorers and instinctively touch, taste, hear, and observe the world around them.

In order to create these meaningful community activities, Imagine! needs the support of many organizations. So today I’d like to highlight one community partner that does so much to connect young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families with the community: AEC Trust, which recently provided the Imagine! Foundation with a $10,000 grant to support Dayspring’s CCAs.

 The AEC Trust is a private foundation established in 1980 as a philanthropic, grantmaking organization. Funding has traditionally focused on arts and culture; education; environment; and health and human services.

Thank you, AEC Trust, for providing opportunities for young children with developmental disabilities and delays to engage with their communities in meaningful and valuable ways!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Technology Tuesday post is another edition of “AppAbility” - where Imagine!’s Technology Architect Alex Andrews provides short instructional videos and reviews of apps that may be beneficial for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or related conditions. Today's episode: a demonstration of Sign 4 Me.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Good News Friday!

On Wednesday night, more than 100 people came to a ceremony to mark the naming of the middle conference room in Imagine!’s John M. Taylor Conference Center as the Aaron Matthew Tuneberg Conference Room. I have shared Aaron’s tragic story before (here and here and here).

Aaron's mother Gale Boonstra spoke at the event, and shared her hope for Aaron’s legacy – that we all become more mindful of the needs, as well as the potential, of adults with disabilities, and that we do whatever we can to help these individuals and their families.  To help reach that vision, Gale and her family have established Aaron’s Fund to support projects in Aaron’s community that would provide safety, independence, and camaraderie for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also shared a video about Aaron and Aaron's Fund, and I wanted you to see it and invite you to share it with your friends and loved ones.

Can’t see the video? Click here

To learn more about Aaron, or to donate, visit www.AaronsFund.com

Below are some pictures from the event. Thanks to all who attended and all who share Gale’s vision.

Gale and Tim Boonstra


Aaron's family
Colorado State Representatives Dianne Primavera and Mike Foote with Gale
Gale and Imagine! Foundation Past President Walt Pounds
Colorado State Senator Rollie Heath, Community Foundation Serving Boulder County President Josie Heath, and Gale
Gale and Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett
Signage identifying the newly named Aaron Matthew Tuneberg Conference Room

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Good Economy, Not Mutually Beneficial

A brief history lesson.

When I first entered the field of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), it was generally agreed that successful outcomes meant that the individuals we served were able to live separately from their parents upon reaching adulthood; sort of the expectation we have of all young adults. Residential services were set up to support the philosophy that as adults, individuals with I/DD were able to live their own lives separate from their families. The most common living situations for adults with I/DD living away from their parents or other family members at the time were group homes – anywhere from two to ten individuals living together. While this was certainly a positive move away from institutions, the end result was still congregate settings where people lived together on the basis of their disability instead of common interests.

As time went on, and the costs of supporting both the transition into and maintenance of an adult who lived separately from family changed, so did the definition of success. Having younger adults with I/DD stay with their families as long as possible became the goal, and having individuals living separate from their families as adults become a “last resort” option, essentially considered an unsuccessful outcome. For those individuals who weren’t able to stay with their families, the preferred residential setting became host homes – an attempt to recreate a family type setting outside of the natural family.

It should be noted that during this time of trying to create a family type residential setting for those adults who couldn’t stay with their actual family, the idea that the actual families could or should be paid to provide services was considered absurd in many circles. So we were paying to reconstruct something that we were unwilling to pay for when it occurred naturally.

Recently, however, that attitude has changed as well. The family care model, where family members are paid to provide services for their loved one with an intellectual disability, may very well become the predominant model, and the model that is considered the most successful possible outcome from a cost standpoint (at least as it pertains to their living situations).

Now, I’m not saying I agree with the current philosophy when it comes to services, but it is what it is and we at Imagine! do everything we can to provide top quality services within that model.

But in Colorado, now even that low cost approach is at risk, and the reason is ironic: the economy in our state is so strong that funding for services can’t keep up. “How on earth is this possible?” you might ask. Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment dictates that state budget builders make difficult decisions. Under TABOR, state and local governments cannot raise tax rates without voter approval and cannot spend revenues collected under existing tax rates without voter approval if revenues grow faster than the rate of inflation and population growth. Revenue in excess of the TABOR limit, commonly referred to as the "TABOR surplus," must be refunded to taxpayers, unless voters approve a revenue change as an offset in a referendum.

This current year saw the cost of living rise 2.7% while budget builders chose to pay providers for service 1.7% rate increases. This simply knocks providers out of competition for the work force. Right now we are in a situation where revenues are in excess of TABOR limits, and therefore some revenue is set to be returned. Unfortunately, the growth in revenues parallels a growth in the need for services of all kinds – services such as fixing infrastructure needs like roads and bridges, funding education, and yes, services for individuals with I/DD. But when the need outpaces the limits set by our state constitution, Colorado becomes its own puzzle– so much of its revenue is already earmarked for specific purposes it has very little flexibility when it comes to meeting its demands.

One scenario has been proposed by Governor Hickenlooper. According to this Denver Post article,
Gov. Hickenlooper wants to exempt the hospital provider fee from state revenue collections under TABOR. If the fee were removed from TABOR, Colorado's revenues would fall under the cap and the state would have $200 million more to spend on road projects and classrooms (and maybe I/DD services – though he didn’t say that).

Now, it’s not for me to judge (at least in this posting) if he is right or not. But I will say this – we are suddenly looking at a rather severe funding crisis when it comes to serving people with I/DD. Capacity will be overwhelmed by the demand. Without an adjustment, I can envision the next year or two being extremely challenging for those who accept services from providers in Colorado. Significant areas of service are at risk.

If we can’t go back to a service philosophy that looks at adult independence as a priority, at least let’s make sure we are giving family caregivers who continue to take care of their loved ones well into adulthood the kind of resources they need to ensure a quality of life for all.

Then again, what do I know?

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Out & About With . . . NSCD


Imagine!’s Out & About department was created in 1997 in response to the requests of community members with disabilities and family members who care for those with disabilities to have more options for community-based recreation services.

That “community-based” element is key - rather than scheduling activities in a segregated setting, you will find Out & About participants (both adults and children) utilizing recreation centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, and even amusement parks.

Of course, Out & About wouldn’t be able to provide those services without the support of the many, many community organizations that collaborate with Out & About to ensure that participants are able to receive positive instruction, within a therapeutic framework, to encourage growth, learning, community participation, socialization, health, safety, and the achievement of individual goals.

Today, I’d like to acknowledge the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) for its support of Out & About. Last Friday was the last day of Out & About's 2015 Summer Camp, and to celebrate, they partnered with NSCD for a day of kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. It was a blast to see all of the participants out on the water having so much fun! Check out the pictures below.









Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Technology Tuesday


On Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Imagine! will host a ceremony to mark the naming of the middle conference room in its John M. Taylor Conference Center as the Aaron Matthew Tuneberg Conference Room.

Aaron Matthew Tuneberg died at the age of 30 on April 8, 2014, as the result of a senseless and violent crime. Because of the developmental disability he was born with, his life was often difficult. Aaron was a sweet young man who, in spite of his disabilities, was trying to live his life well and in peace. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle and proud citizen of Boulder, Colorado.

Recognizing that others like Aaron faced similar risks, Aaron’s mother, Gale Boonstra, and Aaron’s family established Aaron’s Fund to support projects in Aaron’s community that would provide safety, independence, and camaraderie for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Thanks to the generosity of Aaron's Fund, Imagine! is creating a technology demonstration project to improve and support safety needs for adults with disabilities. The project will identify 5-10 individuals served by Imagine!, assess their support needs, identify the technologies that will best help meet those needs, purchase the technologies for the individuals, teach them how to use them for their needs, and provide ongoing support through the demonstration period.

The concept may be simple, but it will help fill a huge gap that currently exists in services for adults with I/DD who are mostly independent but need some assistance to remain self-reliant. Sadly, this is a population that is underserved and often ignored, as the tragic loss of Aaron showed. Available funding for their needs is miniscule, the workforce willing and able to meet those needs is shrinking, and yet the demand for these services continues to grow.

We’ll keep you posted on the project as it moves forward.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Good News Friday!

We had two enjoyable summer events take place at Imagine! recently, and I thought I’d share some of the photos with you.

I’ll start with Imagine!’s Out & About/Assisted Cycling Tours Bike-a-Thon last Saturday. It was a GREAT success! Everyone got a chance to try out different types of bikes and had a blast dancing and playing games. Thank you to everyone who came to check it out!







And yesterday, Imagine!’s Dayspring department hosted its Second Annual Splash Bash, and it, too, was a huge success! There were so many kids splashing around in the water and cooling off from the hot morning. Thank you to all who came, we had so much fun having you with us here at Dayspring and Imagine!.







Thursday, August 13, 2015

Dayspring Community Connectors: Great Play

Imagine!’s Dayspring department’s Community Calendar Activities (CCAs) introduce families with young children who have developmental disabilities or delays to places in our community that offer great activities and opportunities for children to meet their goals through fun and play. All activities encourage motor, sensory, social-emotional, cognitive, and speech-language development.

Each location has activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. Activities are centered around play, because play is the primary vehicle for a child’s mental and physical growth. Play has a vital role in cognitive, speech-language, physical, emotional and social development.

Much of young children’s learning takes place when they direct their own play. Learning occurs as children touch, manipulate, experiment and talk about things, while interacting with people who facilitate without directing. During play, children are provided with sensory experiences and opportunities to move. Young children need to climb, run, jump and challenge themselves motorically. Children are natural explorers and instinctively touch, taste, hear, and observe the world around them.

In order to create these meaningful community activities, Imagine! needs the support of many local organizations. So today I’d like to highlight one community partner that does so much to connect young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families with the community: Great Play.

Great Play makes developing skills fun! Their award-winning, high-energy programs for kids develop motor, sports, and social skills, setting the stage for lifelong confidence and physical fitness, in a one-of-a-kind Interactive Gym.

Great Play has been part of Dayspring’s CCAs for several years, and offers them reduced entrance fees. The staff is very flexible and does a great job working with the Dayspring kids and families.

Thank you, Great Play, for supporting Imagine!, Dayspring, and your community!

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Sensory Overload

So much of the world we live in is not natural. We are surrounded by noises that Mother Nature never intended.

Can't see the video? Click here.

Artificial lights block out the stars at night.
  Can't see the video? Click here.

And from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep we are bombarded with information – from the radio, the television, from our computers and smart devices. It can be overwhelming at times.

Many of us come up with ways to cope and escape the unnaturalness of our surroundings. Personally, I seek solace in the mountains around Boulder – nothing invigorates me more than a run or a ride outdoors, away from cars and phones and computers.

But not all of us are in the position to get away every now and then. Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) don’t have the resources for a weekend escape. Imagine how that must feel – the sensory and information overload we all face must be 1,000 times more challenging, and yet, the people who accept services from Imagine! and service providers like us every day accept that challenge and face it down in hundreds of ways both big and small.

We often hear people talk about the growing inequality of incomes in this country. I also think there is a growing inequality in the opportunity for people to engage fully with a society that is becoming ever more information and technology driven. I continue to advocate for the use of technology when it comes to serving individuals with I/DD, but readily acknowledge that it isn’t as simple as providing a new device and leaving it at that. That doesn’t work for any of us, let alone someone who has a cognitive disability.

This post isn’t about offering any kind of easy solution. I’m simply making an observation. But maybe the people who accept services from us deserve a little more respect then they sometimes get for their ability to adapt and adjust to a world that is moving forward faster than a lot of us, regardless of our ability or disability, can keep up with.

Then again, what do I know?

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Technology Tuesday post is another edition of “AppAbility” - where Imagine!’s Technology Architect Alex Andrews provides short instructional videos and reviews of apps that may be beneficial for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or related conditions. Today's episode: a demonstration of Go Talk NOW.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Good News Friday!

Imagine!’s Out & About department and Assisted Cycling Tours are hosting a Bike-A-Thon tomorrow, Saturday, August 8, from 11:30AM-2:30PM, outside of Imagine!’s Coal Creek Office, 1665 Coal Creek Dr.

You are invited to join them for a day of music, food, and of course, cycling. It will be fun for the whole family! You may bring your personal bikes, or ride one of the many that will be available for borrowing during the event.

Please RSVP to Megan McKean at mmckean@imaginecolorado.org or 303-457-5700. A  $10 donation is suggested.

Check out the video below for more info. Hope to see you there!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Dayspring Community Connectors: Dizzy Family Fun Center


Imagine!’s Dayspring department’s Community Calendar Activities (CCAs) introduce families with young children who have developmental disabilities or delays to places in our community that offer great activities and opportunities for children to meet their goals through fun and play. All activities encourage motor, sensory, social-emotional, cognitive, and speech-language development.

Each location has activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. Activities are centered around play, because play is the primary vehicle for a child’s mental and physical growth. Play has a vital role in cognitive, speech-language, physical, emotional and social development.

Much of young children’s learning takes place when they direct their own play. Learning occurs as children touch, manipulate, experiment and talk about things, while interacting with people who facilitate without directing. During play, children are provided with sensory experiences and opportunities to move. Young children need to climb, run, jump and challenge themselves motorically. Children are natural explorers and instinctively touch, taste, hear, and observe the world around them.

In order to create these meaningful community activities, Imagine! needs the support of many local organizations. So today I’d like to highlight one community partner that does so much to connect young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families with the community: Dizzy Family Fun Center.

Dizzy Family Fun Center has opened its doors to groups of Dayspring kids and their families monthly since 2014. They even “comped” entrance fees on Dayspring’s first visit to say “thank you” for the work they do.

Well, I’d like to return the thanks. Thank you, Dizzy Family Fun Center, for supporting Imagine!, Dayspring, and your community!

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Technology Tuesday

On several “Technology Tuesday” posts over the past year and a half, we have shared the progress of participants in Imagine! CORE/Labor Source’s (CLS) KGNU Radio Classes taught by Kelly Faus (like here and here). Today, we’d like to share another success from some of the students: an original video created for an original composition entitled "Freedom of Movement," written and performed by a few of these talented CLS musicians – Bruce, Frank, Mandy, and Scott. Enjoy!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Out & About With . . . City of Lafayette’s Peer Empowerment Program


During the last week of June, Imagine!’s Out & About Therapeutic Recreation (TR) team was asked to partner with the City of Lafayette, Colorado’s Peer Empowerment Program. The program is for middle and high school students who are looking to advance their leadership skills during the summer break from school. It is funded by the Lafayette Public Tax Levy, as part of an effort to increase the number of positive programs available to youths in the community. The program also involves collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder Public Achievement Program, headed by Elaina Verveer.

Out & About’s Therapeutic Recreation Specialists were excited to partner with the program and led an afternoon of teambuilding and group initiatives. “As is always the case in Therapeutic Recreation, we wanted the afternoon to include games that got everyone involved, but also really wanted the kids to have a chance to practice their problem solving, communication and leadership skills,” said Lisa Bargatze. Lisa and Beth Gessert, along with their interns, Maggie Evans and Kenneth Wing, led several initiatives including Giant-Wizard-Elf (an active version of Paper-Rock-Scissors), and a Tower Building “contest” that really highlighted the students’ creativity and teamwork skills. Beth said, “It was fun to challenge ourselves to plan activities and work with a different population than we typically do at Out & About. We got to stretch our TR muscles!”