Workshops

The Arc of Arapahoe & Douglas believes that people with disabilities and their families need comprehensive information about the choices they have to develop rich full lives in their communities. We provide the following workshops each year to assist people to make informed choices and understand their rights and their responsibilities.

Mobilizing Families I

Mobilizing Families is an award winning curriculum of information and support for families who have children with disabilities. You will learn how to effectively advocate for your child's rights in: Schools, Healthcare, Childcare, and Recreation. We will also talk about planning for the future, how to connect with other families and how to communicate and negotiate with systems. 8 sessions - one time per week.

• Identifying the Dream
• Resources at Home and in the Community
• Private, State and Federal Resources
• Education in the Public Schools
• Personal Futures Planning
• National, State and Local Involvement
• Communication Skills
• Building Mutual Support in your Community

Mobilizing Families II

Mobilizing Families II is about understanding the world of supports and services after high school. A basic overview of: housing, healthcare, finance, employment, and planning for the future. You'll connect with other families and learn to communicate and negotiate with systems. You can learn about:

• Who makes decisions? - Guardianship
• How will I pay for it? -Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid
• Where do I get support? - Supported Living Services & The Elderly Blind & Disabled Waivers
• What will I do? - Supported Employment.
• Where will I live? Host Homes, Group Homes, Homeownership, Apartments, What about Micro boards?
• Planning for the Future - Personal Futures Planning and Estate planning.

Learning for Living

The Relationships Series

People affected by developmental disabilities often go through life without receiving correct information or education about sexuality, abuse prevention and self-protection strategies. Many do not receive information on ways to develop and maintain a healthy and supportive relationship.

Our belief is that individuals with disabilities deserve the right to a life free from violence and abuse and that healthy and fulfilling relationships with friends and/or partners is based upon respect, honesty, accountability, equality, trust and support. Although some individuals with disabilities experience satisfactory intimate relationships and friendships, many also endure sexual, physical, emotional and financial abuse, neglect or exploitation perpetrated by a partner, family member or caregiver. We believe that with appropriate education and support that many individuals affected by developmental disabilities will be able to live happy, healthy lives in the community.

These courses will assist teenagers and adults with cognitive developmental disabilities who want to learn about relationships.

Friendship Series - Identifying relationships, Successful Interaction Skills, Developing Self-Esteem, Developing Self-Confidence, Communication Skills, What is Friendship, Protecting Yourself. This 6 week session will be held in the Spring. $60.00 for 6 week session.

Boyfriend/Girlfriend Special Relationships - Identifying relationships, Successful Interaction Skills, Communication Skills, Developing Successful Friendships, Special Relationships, Building a Special Relationship I Like, Public vs. Private Behavior. This 10 week session will be in the Summer. , $100.00 for 10 week session.

Community Safety - Communication Skills. Identifying friends, acquaintances, strangers and community helpers. Home Safely Skills - the phone, mail and answering the door. Community Safety Skills - protecting yourself and who to call if you need help.

And much much more! This 8 week session will be in the Fall. $80.00 for 8 week session.