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Jeremy’s One-Year Work Anniversary

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Colorado Springs Support, Inc. individual in services, Jeremy, has been at his job for one year doing custodial work! Jeremy has come so far in the past two years. He still is quiet and reserved at times, but once you get to know Jeremy, he has a very friendly personality. When we first discussed the opportunity of getting out of the house and starting to work Jeremy was reluctant but with job coaching, he has amazed everyone with his hard work ethic and his dependability.

Jeremy has done a great job saving his money and using it for things that matter to him. This year he was really excited about purchasing Christmas gifts! Jeremy is super thoughtful and a joy to interact with. A ton of credit goes to his Family Caregiver for raising such a kind, responsible man. Jeremy did respite with one of our staff for six days and was so patient with their dog that continuously barked no matter how many times he tried to befriend her! It was a pleasure to have Jeremy with us for those days even though he kicked our butts in bowling! We are proud to be a part of Jeremy’s life and watch him grow! Congratulations, Jeremy, on your employment accomplishment!! We look forward to seeing what you can do over the next year.

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Medicaid Sustainability Updates

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Medicaid Sustainability & CO LTSS System Update- 4.27.2026

On April 1st, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) made their last decisions to finalize the long bill. The long bill is the state’s operating budget. The long bill is then considered in the House (which passed) and the Seante (which also passed). In these phases, there are usually no changes made; however, amendments could be made during this process. Those amendments could change what was in the long bill on April 1st. The long bill is now in conference committee to review the amendments. The final step is when the long bill is signed into law by the Governor in May. This is then when things are finalized. Until the Governor has signed the long bill into law, there could be changes and nothing is concrete until that time.

Below are the items that the JBC heard related to HCBS-DD waiver services. These are not all the Medicaid sustainability efforts; these are the ones impacting the HCBS-DD waiver.

  1. Across the board decrease
    1. The JBC approved a 2% across-the-board rate reduction. This rate reduction would go into effect July 1st 2026.
    2. The state continues to try to explore the sale of Pinnacol (Colorado’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance) which could reduce the amount of decrease we have this year. This is contingent on the passing of the bill to sell Pinnacol.
  2. IRSS rate alignment
    1. IRSS alignment would clarify the types of individual residential settings in HCBS services. Specifically defining these settings as settings in which there are rotating staff who come into a waiver members home but do not live in the home. This setting would be billed at the higher rate. The second setting would be defined as a setting where the caregiver(host homes and family caregivers) lives in the same home as the member. This setting would be billed at the lower rate.
    2. IRSS rate alignment failed to pass with the JBC and is not expected to be put into effect on July 1st.
    3. The state however is concerned about having different rates between settings where the only difference is the type of caregiver. This concern comes from increased federal scrutiny in this area as the Feds are focused on fraud waste and abuse.
  1. PETI applied to the DD waiver
    1. The JBC approved implementing post-eligibility treatment of income (PETI) in the DD waiver.
    2. PETI requires people on the DD waiver who have income (including social security) to pay for a portion of their residential services.
    3. Waiver members who are working and are enrolled in the Medicaid Buy-In program are exempt from PETI.
  1. DD Waiver enrollment changes
    1. The JBC approved ending the automatic youth (age 18) to DD waiver enrollment except under specific circumstances.
    2. The JBC approved to reduce the churn by half. The churn is the process in which when someone leaves the DD waiver, a new person can be added. Currently, the churn is 1:1 meaning for every one person who leaves the waiver, one more person can get onto the waiver. The approved churn rate will now be 2:1 where for every two people to leave the waiver, one can be added.

Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and Office of Community Living (OCL) hosted a long-term budget and sustainability webinar on Monday April 13th. You can watch the webinar recording by following this link or review the slide deck using this link.

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@supportinc.com

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Family Caregiver of the Month!

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The Colorado Springs Team would like to nominate Lauren Hug for Family Caregiver of the Month! Her unwavering support and her ability to continually challenge and expand our understanding of independence is truly inspiring.

As a family caregiver, she brings forward thoughtful questions that push us to reconsider what independence truly looks like. She consistently advocates for a perspective where disability is not seen as a limitation, but rather as an opportunity to empower the voice of her son, Xander, and others.

Xander lives a full, rewarding, and active life—recently returning from an overseas trip and continuing to stay constantly engaged. This reflects the strong support system Lauren has built around him. As his primary caregiver, she not only ensures his day-to-day needs are met, but also takes on more complex and sometimes difficult conversations, such as planning for a transition into an apartment setting. She approaches these moments with determination and openness, actively seeking out the best information, exploring creative alternatives, and never becoming discouraged.

Lauren is also highly diligent in her responsibilities, consistently maintaining thorough documentation and following through on all required paperwork. She works tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place for Xander to succeed and achieve his goals. He is always her top priority, and the positive, supportive environment she creates is evident in everything she does.

Lauren challenges us at Support Inc. to think outside the box. Her questions often push us to dig deeper, and we find ourselves going the extra mile because of her influence. She is one of the key reasons why we truly love the work that we do. Thank you, Lauren, for being an amazing IDD Advocate and Caregiver, and congratulations on being named our April Family Caregiver of the Month!!!

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Nursing Team News & Updates

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We have an amazing Nursing Team here at Support, Inc.! Below you will find important news and updates they would like to share with everyone:

                                                       Colorado Warm Weather Has Begun

Staying hydrated and ensuring proper skin care is essential. Below are some tips to stay safe and have all the fun in the sun!

Hydration:

  • Double Your Intake: Aim for at least 3-4 liters of water per day, particularly if active, as the dry air causes faster dehydration. Increase fluid intake if you’re out hiking, boating, fishing or just sitting outside in the sun.
  • Use Electrolytes: Drink sports drinks or use electrolyte packets, especially after sweating, to replenish salt and minerals. Anyone like Gatorade?
  • Monitor Urine Color: A pale yellow color indicates proper hydration; dark yellow/amber means you need more water.
  • Limit Diuretics: Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake, which can accelerate dehydration.
  • Eat Water-Rich Foods: Consume foods like cucumbers, melons, strawberries, and celery to support hydration. Fruit can be fun!
  • Carry a Bottle Everywhere: Do you have a favorite water bottle or cup? Keep it handy to drink fluids throughout the day.

     Sunscreen:

  • High Altitude = High Risk: UV radiation increases by 2% for every 1,000 feet of elevation.
  • Year-Round Protection: Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays, making sun protection critical, even when skiing.
  • Protection Beyond Lotion: Use SPF lip balm, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing.
  • Dry Climate Factor: Colorado’s dry air can make skin more sensitive, requiring consistent, thick coverage.
  • Certain medications: can cause photosensitivity a reaction where skin becomes highly sensitive to UV rays, causing rapid sunburns, rashes, or blistering.

How should I apply it:

  1. When to Apply: Apply 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the protective barrier to form.
  1. Amount Needed: Use enough to cover all exposed skin. A general rule is 1 ounce (a shot glass full) for the entire body, and about a half-teaspoon for the face and neck.
  1. Coverage: Apply to all exposed areas, including commonly missed spots like the tops of the ears, back of the neck, feet, and hands.
  1. Technique: Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into the skin. For lotions, apply evenly, and for sprays, ensure thorough coverage (do not just spray and leave it).
  1. Reapplication: Reapply at least every two hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
  1. Protection Type: Choose a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
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January Family Caregiver of the Month!

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We would like to congratulate, PJ Javadi, for being nominated as our January Family Caregiver of the Month!!! The below information was provided by his Residential Coordinator, Sarah.

“When the time came to nominate a Caregiver of the Month from the Loveland Team, immediately my mind went straight to PJ and his sister. I have had the great honor of working with this wonderful family for a little over a year now. During this time, I have been privileged to learn their story and witness the unconditional love and support a family can give to their loved one.

Thirty years ago, when his sister needed extra support, PJ answered the call with no hesitation, taking on the responsibility of overseeing all her care needs and support requirements, eventually moving her into his home and becoming her full-time caregiver. Over the years even when his sister’s needs of support have continued to grow, PJ has never considered placing her in a nursing facility or finding alternative living accommodations for her. Instead, he chooses to take on each challenge with the same love and dedication he has always shown to his family. Working with her medical providers and the Support Inc. Nursing Team, he learned the skills needed to care for her growing support requirements to ensure her health and safety.

During my time working with the family, I have never heard PJ complain once about the extensive support his sister requires of him as her primary caregiver. He continues to find ways to include her in the community and offers her person-centered choices to help her lead a life she chooses and loves. Despite his sister’s intense support requirements, PJ continues to make the time to complete his FCG weekly documentation requirements and provides great communication to his Residential Team.

It goes without saying how lucky his sister is to have him and what an honor it is to be able to call him a Support Inc. Family Caregiver!!  Thank you, PJ, for all you do and the inspiration you provide. We are all better people just by knowing you and your family. Thank you for allowing Support Inc. to be part of your family’s story. Congratulations, PJ, on being nominated as our January Family Caregiver of the Month!”

Recent News

Amanda Goes to Florida!

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Support Inc. would like to highlight one of our individuals in services, Amanda, recent trip to Florida. During Amanda’s last vacation to Florida, she enjoyed a magical trip to Walt Disney World and a sun-drenched time on Cocoa Beach!!

Amanda and her wonderful Mom/Family Caregiver, Becky, spent 10 magical days at Disney World with their family, experiencing the attractions in the parks. Amanda had so much fun dressing up with her family for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and received pixie dust from people at the park who loved all their outfits. Amanda dressed up as a Mickey Bar, her mom dressed up as Dole Whip, her sister was a churro, and her sister’s boyfriend was dressed up as popcorn!

After Disney World, Amanda went to the beach for a week and was blessed with so many people willing to help her and her wheelchair on the sandy beach. Amanda was able to get in a beach chair on the edge of the ocean to sit in the waves. This was another amazing vacation in the books for Amanda and her family! Check out the awesome pictures below.

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ASL- Ways to Learn

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There has never been a better time to learn American Sign Language (ASL) with the range of resources available to all levels of learners. Below are some fun ways to learn.

  1. Local meets/events: There are ASL groups in every major metro area and many smaller areas that welcome both deaf and hearing people. A quick search through Facebook, Meetup or similar event sites can locate a group in your area.
  2. Online lessons: There are numerous websites that offer online courses, usually for a fee. A whole world of online videos exists for teaching anything from a single letter to conversation by topic for free using online search engines.
  3. ASL apps: Lingvano and Pocket Sign are two that have free lessons as well as low-cost options for unlimited access. Preply offers 1 to 1 tutoring for a fee, in addition to basic ASL lessons.
  4. Community College classes: Nearly every community college has affordable, tiered ASL courses. While gaining college credit, students learn with others at similar levels of signing expertise.
  5. Deaf Schools: Periodically, local schools for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students provide ASL classes for a fee. Rocky Mountain Deaf School (rmds.co) in Denver or The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (www.csdb.org) in Colorado Springs offer classes for both professionals and the general public. Typically, classes occur outside of school hours – on evenings or weekends. These classes are great ways to learn about DHH culture while developing signing skills. For information on schedules and availability, contact schools directly.

 

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Host Home Provider of the Month!

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We would like to congratulate Michele Valdez for being nominated as our December Host Home Provider of the Month! The below information was provided by her Residential Team:

Michele recently became a Host Home Provider for PW who had never been in host home services before, and Michele is doing a phenomenal job! Michele has excelled at every task, including Therap and Relias, but most importantly, Michele has built a strong and meaningful connection with PW.

PW had a very rough start when he first came into services and initially required emergency respite. While he did well in that setting, it became clear that a more one-on-one, person-centered placement was important to PW, and Michele provided that level of support from the very beginning. Michele took the time to learn PW’s preferences, routines, and comfort level, intentionally creating a welcoming environment that helped PW feel right at home. Because of this individualized approach, PW was able to open up, build trust, and begin gaining confidence.

Michele has further supported PW by involving him in meaningful experiences and holiday traditions such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and celebrating his birthday—experiences that PW had not had for many years. PW is now beginning to dream about different possibilities for his life, and we truly believe this growth is a direct result of Michele’s support and encouragement to try new things.

PW is joining the Special Olympics basketball team and has expressed interest in starting college at CSU Pueblo and becoming a ThunderWolf. We want Michele to know that her dedication, commitment, and hard work are truly making a difference and are not going unnoticed. Thank you, Michele, for all that you do and congratulations on being named our December Host Home Provider of the Month!!!

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Quality Assurance News & Updates

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Personal Property Inventory

This month we are focusing on personal property inventory and some tips to maintaining inventory.

Why is it necessary to maintain an inventory?

  1. Waiver members receive personal needs funds from social security. Colorado regulations require that when a person receives these funds there must be a complete, accurate and current inventory of all the persons’ belongings. Members living in a host home or apartment setting are required to have personal property inventory logged and maintained.
  2. Maintaining an accurate and current inventory reduces discrepancies over who an item belongs to and assists in the resolution of disputes and/or missing belongings.
  3. If your home ever experienced a natural disaster such as fire, flooding, tornado, etc., this inventory may serve as documentation of the person’s possessions which would assist in the recovery/ reimbursement of destroyed items.

Tips to maintain the person’ inventory:

  1. At the end of each month, when collecting the person’s receipts to turn in, go into the person’s Therap personal property inventory and log each new item they purchased.
  2. Each month, review the inventory with the person. If there are items they have donated or thrown away, update the inventory to indicate the date and reason.

Personal property inventory FAQs:

  1. All belongings must be recorded regardless of cost of the items. This includes all clothing, collectable, crafting/ hobby supplies, clothing, furniture, etc.
  2. It is fine to indicate counts of items such as socks, shirts, and pants. However, if there are any items that are of financial value (such as a signed sports jersey) or are of particular importance/ value to the person (that T-shirt from their favorite vacation) these should be listed as their own line item.
  3. All adaptive equipment the person has should be listed on their inventory.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Residential Program Coordinator.

 

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Residential Team News & Updates

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✨ Holiday Cheers and a Big Thank-You ✨

As the year winds down, we’ve been reflecting on everything that’s happened—and wow, it’s been a year of constant change. Through every update, shift, curveball, and new idea, you’ve shown steady commitment and a whole lot of heart. We notice it, and we appreciate it more than you know.

A huge thank-you as well to everyone who completed the survey and shared thoughtful feedback. Your voices are guiding our next steps, and we’re excited to turn your insights into meaningful improvements. Stay tuned—our action plans for 2026 are on the way.

Based on the feedback from the 2024 survey, as you know we have been focused on regionalization and opening more Day Programs along the front range. With this in mind, we have some big news to share; we’ve secured leases for a new Arvada, Colorado Springs, and Littleton offices! These spaces will be used as offices for some of northern Denver and Colorado Springs residential teams and will also become home to a brand-new day programs.  Renovations are already underway, and we can’t wait to welcome you into the finished spaces soon—grand opening details will be coming your way.

Working in residential services isn’t just about providing support; it’s about creating moments of comfort, safety, humor, and humanity. You do that every day, even when things are in motion around you, and it’s what keeps our homes feeling like true communities.

As the holidays roll in, we hope you find time to breathe, enjoy, reconnect, and recharge. Thank you for adapting, for showing up, and for bringing your best—through all the changes and all the seasons.

Our Residential staff and providers make a real difference, and we’re truly grateful for all of you!