Disability Related Information for Children in Colorado

  • Disability Related Information for Children in Colorado Below is general information, websites, links and other references.

    All disability services available through the developmental disability system in Colorado have a variety of eligibility criteria. The majority of funding for services are appropriated from the Colorado Legislature and administered through the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). Within CDHS, is the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) which is directly involved in funding services for children. There is no entitlement to funding or services within the developmental disability system. Not everyone who is eligible for services receives services. There are waiting lists for services. The need for developmental disability services in Colorado is greater than the amount of available funding.

    Community Center Boards (CCBs) contract with CDHS, HCPF and DDD to manage resources at the local level. CCBs determine eligibility for community-based services and provide case management. The CCB for Adams County is, North Metro Community Services (NMCS). Contact the Resource Coordination department at NMCS for eligibility information. They are located at 1185 W. 124th Ave, Westminster, CO 80234, 303-252-7199, www.nmetro.org.

    In Colorado, a developmental disability is defined as a condition that:

    • Occurs before the age of 22,

    • Substantially limited daily living skills in a variety of areas,

    • Is caused by an intellectual impairment, such as, cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome or other neurological conditions, and

    • General intellectual functioning of an IQ of 70 or below.

    Children under the age of 5 may qualify due to a developmental delay. This slowed or impaired development may involve the following:

    • Physical/motor

    • Communication (speech)

    • Sensory (sound, touch)

    • Cognition (learning)

    • Social/Emotional/Behavioral

    • Adaptive Skills (self-help skills)

    There are other disabilities that may appear similar to a developmental disability. This may be confusing. A person with a learning disability may have difficulties with specific areas, such as, reading, writing or speech. However, overall this person does not have a disability related to their intellectual or adaptive skills. Another example is an individual with mental illness or behavioral challenges. This individual may have significant issues with processing information and managing daily living skills that are due to an emotional condition and not due to an impaired cognition.

    What do you need to have to apply for services?

    Ask what specific information is needed when applying for services. If the information is not readily available, it would be helpful to have the name of the professional and contact information for assessment, medical and educational records. You may be asked to sign a release of information form allowing schools, agencies and other pertinent professionals who know the child to send information to the CCB. In general, the following information is needed:

    • Social Security number

    • Medical insurance information/Medicaid card

    • Medical history

    • School Records/Individual Education Programs (IEP)

    • Any psychological/cognitive testing (IQ)

    • Any evaluations, such as, occupational, physical/motor, sensory or speech language

    Colorado Programs and Services for Children

    Within CDHS, services for children with developmental disabilities are administered by the DDD. Programs for children are funded through Medicaid dollars. Medicaid is a health care program for Coloradoans who qualify by having a lower income. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify for benefits. To apply for Medicaid, contact the local County Department of Human Services (also known as Social Services). The Adams County Department of Human Services is located at:

    7190 Colorado Blvd, Commerce City, CO 80022, 303-287-8831.

    Waiver programs provide additional Medicaid benefits to specific populations who meet special eligibility criteria. For some individuals, a waiver is the only way to qualify for Medicaid. Each waiver has an enrollment limit. There may be a wait list for any waiver. Applicants may apply for more than one waiver, but may only receive services through one waiver at a time.

    Waiver Services for Children

    • Home and Community Based Services (HCBS): Provides Medicaid benefits in the home or community for children (birth through age 17) with disabilities who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid. These children require constant care and have a medical condition, which without intervention, will result in a life-threatening situation. Children must be at risk of nursing facility or hospital placement. Children must meet criteria to qualify.

    • Children with Autism: Provides Medicaid benefits in the home or community for children (birth through age 5) with a medical diagnosis of Autism who are most in need due to the severity of the disability. Children must meet criteria to qualify yearly.

    • Children’s Extensive Support (CES): Provides Medicaid benefits in the home or community for children (birth through age 17) with developmental disabilities who are most in need due to the severity of the disability. These children require constant care and line-of-sight supervision due to self-injurious or self-endangering behavior. This may include extensive aggression to self, others and property. Children must meet criteria to quality yearly.

    • Children’s Habilitation Residential Program: Provides residential services for children and youth (birth to age 21 years of age) in foster care who have a developmental disability and extraordinary needs. Children must be at risk of institutionalization.

    Through the CCB and the Colorado Department of Education other services for children with developmental disabilities can include:

    • Early Intervention Services (EI): Through early identification, screening and assessment, this program provides infants and toddlers (birth through age 2) services and supports to enhance child development in the areas of cognition, speech, communication, physical/motor development, vision, social/emotional development, self-help skills, parent-child interaction.

    • Family Support Services Program (FSSP): Family Support Services assists families with costs beyond those normally experienced by other families whose child does not have a developmental disability, when funds are available.

    • Child Find – Early Intervention Services (EI): http://www.cde.state.co.us/early/childfind.htm School districts have professionals who are trained to evaluate children between the ages of three to five in a variety of areas for eligibility determination for early intervention or preschool special education services.