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Developmental Disability Services:

Your Community Guide for Input & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver Options nurtures the talents of children and adults with intellectual and developmental delays and disabilities. We provide services to over 3500 people in Denver County. Our Service Coordinators help our customers maintain optimum health, explore their interests and find ways to reach their personal goals.

We were selected by the State of Colorado’s Department of Human Services to provide services in the city and county of Denver.

Click on the links below to see the frequently asked questions about a specific area of service offered by Denver Options.

• What is a developmental disability?
  
• What services do you offer?
  
• How do Denver Options’ customers address concerns?
  
• How do you screen your service providers?
  
• Where can parents seek advice?
  
• Is there a waiting list for services?
  
• How does Denver Options spend its funding?
  
• Who can I call to give Denver Options positive feedback and recommendations?
  
• How can I make a donation or volunteer my services?
  
• What customer service support is available?
  
• Other customer service input
  

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What is a developmental disability?
People with developmental disabilities have cognitive issues that substantially limit self care, language, learning, self-direction, and their ability to live independently.

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What services do you offer?
We provide assessment and therapy for children, residential care, lifelong learning and work opportunities for adults. Our mission is to provide quality service coordination to our customers in every stage of life. For more information: Call (303) 636-5600 or visit www.denveroptions.org/services.php.

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How do Denver Options’ customers address concerns?
If a customer needs help with a problem, they can call Denver Options’ Client Services Representative Lori Schult at (303) 636-5600.

Professional advocates not affiliated with Denver Options are also available for our customers.
ARC of Denver: (303) 831-7733
Colorado Cross Disability Coalition: (303) 839-1775
Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People: (303) 722-0300

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How do you screen your service providers?
Denver Options contracts with over 500 service providers, and they are screened for experience, credentials and undergo a criminal background check. We meet with service provider agencies monthly, and individual service providers quarterly, to talk about improving service delivery and to resolve issues and concerns. This gives us the ability to proactively address trends and problems that require our attention.

Service providers can address unresolved concerns with Denver Options through the Colorado Code of Regulations due process procedures established by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

For more information on grievance procedures, call:
Kathy Athens, Deputy Director, at (303) 636-5600 OR Matthew Solano, Program Quality Section, Colorado Division for Developmental Disabilities, at (303) 866-7439

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Where can parents seek advice?
If family members want support or advice from other parents who have family members with developmental disabilities, please contact Denver Options’ Family Support Council. This active Advisory Board is comprised of family members and individuals receiving services.

For more information:
Call (303) 636-5600 for the Family Support Council, and a Council member will return your call. You can also visit www.denveroptions.org/services_famsupport.php.

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Is there a waiting list for services?
Yes. During the mill levy campaign of 2003, Denver citizens supported additional funding for services. We promised to do away with the waiting list for children’s services, and that goal has been met. We also use mill levy funds for emergencies, monitoring services, investigations, case management, training programs to improve adult services and education for families. However, Colorado remains 46th in the U.S.A. for funding developmental disabilities services, leaving hundreds of people waiting years for services. It will take more than $240 million dollars to eliminate Colorado’s adult services waitlist.

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How does Denver Options spend its funding?
Denver Options’ website at www.denveroptions.org/about_annualreport.phppublishes a copy of Denver Options’ financial statements as well as a detailed report on its expenditures of Mill Levy Funding. For a paper copy, please call Marva Hicks at (303) 636-5787.

Denver Options’ expenditures are approved and monitored by a volunteer group of citizens serving as Denver Options’ Board of Directors. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the expenditures of the organization.

Questions about Denver Options’ expenditures can be directed to the following Denver Options’ representatives:
Dr. Stephen Block, Executive Director, at 303-636-5787 OR
William Parkhill, Chairman, at 303-636-5787 OR
Jim Long, Treasurer, at 303-636-5787

Denver Options holds a Public Meeting on Mill Levy spending every second Wednesday in November at 8am and 6pm. We discuss results and our plans for spending in the upcoming year. All Denver residents are invited to attend. The meeting is at Denver Options.

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Who can I call to give Denver Options positive feedback and recommendations? If you would like to pass on a compliment, contact:
Kathy Athens, Deputy Director, at kathens@denveroptions.org OR (303) 636-5600
Dr. Stephen Block, Executive Director, at sblock@denveroptions.org OR (303) 636-5787

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How can I make a donation or volunteer my services? Denver Options’ staff started a Fund many years ago that has grown to include community support to help our customers at time of crises when regular service dollars or other community resources are not available.

If you would like to donate to the JumpStart Fund or volunteer your business services, contact:
Tricia Pallatt at (303) 636-5600 OR
Visit www.denveroptions.org/support.php

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What customer service support is available? We listen to customer concerns and respond as quickly as possible. Customers can resolve problems in a number of ways. Service coordinators work with customers on a daily basis and are trained in resolving problems. Department directors help resolve conflicts and concerns. If you need their help, call:

Lance Wheeland, Director of Adult Services, at (303) 636-5775
Becky Miller, Director of Supported Living Services, at (303) 636-5897
Nancy Hodges, Director of Children Services, at (303) 636-5706
Jodi Merril-Brandt, Director of Solutions, Denver Options’ Residential and Community Access Program, at (303) 636- 5821

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, please call:
Kathy Athens, Deputy Director, at (303) 636-5600
Dr. Stephen Block, Executive Director, at (303) 636-5787

Another option available to you to help resolve any of your service issues is the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division for Developmental Disabilities: Matthew Solano, Quality Assurance Section, at (303) 866-7439

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Other Customer Service Input Denver Options also offers other ways to receive customer input. The following options are the easiest and most frequently used ways to contact us for support, express a concern or offer suggestions.

Denver Options’ Customer Service Representative:
Lori Schult provides personalized support to resolve concerns. Contact Lori at 303-636-5600.

24-Hour Community and Customer Hotline:
Checked daily, this hotline is available to anyone wanting to leave a message about concerns or questions regarding Denver Options’ services. We return all calls, if requested, or callers can remain anonymous. You can call the hotline at (303) 636-5624.

Family Forum:
We invite all of customers and families to Denver Options for an Annual Family Forum on the first Wednesday in March at 6pm. We highlight changes in services, answer questions and listen to concerns.

For more information call:
phone: (303) 636-5600
fax: (303) 636-5603

Denver Options
9900 E. Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80231

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm
On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week