[Colorado-Talk] FW: Notice to Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind stakeholders

Thu Dec 14 20:08:27 UTC 2023

Thanks for writing Jo.

Julia - we know that SSP services to deaf-blind members has been
discontinued, and abruptly.

And for CDHS to say they're only doing this to comply with the law is
essentially saying CDHS doesn't give a rip about doing its job.
Dan

On 12/14/23, Jo Elizabeth Pinto via Colorado-Talk
<colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I wrote to the people listed at the bottom of the email. Hope that helps.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Dan
> Burke via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2023 8:50 AM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] FW: Notice to Commission for the Deaf, Hard of
> Hearing, and DeafBlind stakeholders
>
> Thank you for sharing this Doula. IOt's helpful to read this. The question
> that needs to b e asked of these folks, and tomorrow is a good time at the
> JBC hearing on CDHS, "Did these trends just start on July 1, 2023? And if
> not, why didn't CDHS ask for more moneyin the last legislature?"
>
>
>
> On 12/13/23, Doula Jarboe via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> Greetings to My Federation Family,
>>
>>     I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  This is the
>> most recent information I have received about the Commission and so am
>> passing it along to all of you.  I very much hope we can find both a
>> short-term and long-term solution to keeping these services running.
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Warmly,
>>
>> Doula
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Mindy Gates <mindy.gates at state.co.us>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 2:52 PM
>> To: doula.jarboe at gmail.com
>> Subject: Notice to Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and
>> DeafBlind stakeholders
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 	
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> <https://mcusercontent.com/44d99e91254ef7d2bb23b5e03/images/284a6d49-e
>> b5f-0e65-6027-c0d252fb2972.png>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear CCDHHDB consumers, vendors and stakeholders,
>>
>> The Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind
>> (CCDHHDB) is a program located within the Office of Adult, Aging and
>> Disability Services within the Colorado Department of Human Services.
>> Similar to many other department programs and services, CCDHHDB
>> services are separate from an entitlement program, which means there
>> are not unlimited funds to meet the needs of those served by the
>> CCDHHDB. Rather, the CCDHHDB receives an appropriation for the fiscal
>> year to fulfill its statutory obligations.
>>
>> I’m reaching out to inform you that due to an increased demand for
>> CCDHHDB services over the past year or so, we are set to outpace the
>> appropriation for the CCDHHDB this year. Because service needs and
>> requests vary throughout the year and can fluctuate for various
>> reasons over time, we cannot confidently know the exact need for this
>> year. However, we have taken steps to ensure the CCDHHDB stays within
>> its appropriated budget this fiscal year, including reducing
>> operational overhead costs and establishing prioritization criteria within
>> services to be provided this year.
>>
>> While historically the CCDHHDB has not fully spent its appropriation,
>> there appear to be a number of factors that have led to an increased
>> number of requests and costs associated with providing CCDHHDB services,
>> including:
>>
>> *	COVID-19: The end of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to
>> more
>> DHHDB individuals engaging in activities that lead to the need for
>> CCDHHDB services.
>> *	Outreach: The CCDHHDB and other stakeholders have been successful in
>> making DHHDB individuals throughout Colorado aware of the services
>> available and have increased the visibility of the Commission.
>> *	Addition of new programs: Over the past several years, legislation and
>> other initiatives have led to new programs and more awareness of
>> available services. As those ramp up over time, we've learned more
>> about the costs of implementing them.
>> *	Travel costs: Not only are mileage and lodging becoming more expensive,
>> but there is an increase in mileage and lodging costs due to more ASL
>> interpreting and other assignments being in person as opposed to being
>> virtual during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
>>
>> These factors lead us to conclude that the increased demand for
>> CCDHHDB services will be a trend that will continue rather than an
>> anomaly this year. We are in the process of further analyzing data to
>> better understand the increased demand so we can assess and address the
>> needs for the future.
>>
>>
>> Specifically, the Legal Auxiliary Services Program, Rural Auxiliary
>> Services Program and Support Services Program are all on track to have
>> greater demand than funding available this year. The CCDHHDB has not
>> stopped all service provisions; rather, the CCDHHDB staff will
>> continue to assess each request for services as it comes in and apply
>> the criteria for service priorities and available funding and staff
>> resources to make determinations as to whether a request is filled and
>> communicate with individuals directly as to whether the request can be
>> filled. It is essential that individuals continue to submit requests
>> for services because the CCDHHDB is able to meet some requests, and
>> for those requests, the CCDHHDB is unable to fill, that data is
>> critical to our ability to identify and assess the need so we can work to
>> address any gaps in services in the future.
>>
>> Finally, I want to acknowledge that the communication to consumers,
>> vendors and stakeholders on this issue has not been as proactive and
>> transparent as you have come to expect from CDHS. In an attempt to
>> rectify that going forward, we plan to hold stakeholder meetings with
>> the DHHDB community in January to provide an update on the status of
>> the CCDHHDB budget and services for this year and gather feedback on
>> how we can do better in the future at engaging critical stakeholders.
>>
>> If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact me
>> directly at  <mailto:mindy.gates at state.co.us> mindy.gates at state.co.us.
>>
>> Mindy Gates
>> Deputy Director
>> Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services
>>
>>
>> <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OOUInS607twsvpvc0GF30Y7HEdoxRzSBTXF
>> SRGhLSgWaqhmqLl-o8TWlB9Fi_Mg-cIbvEqmb9-Ra_EOG2CyCTQKtBsIE9THs956C66l7-
>> UwwJy2dRHhKdDOiAkS54CztR7gA2XOs>
>>
>>
>>  <mailto:mindy.gates at state.co.us> mindy.gates at state.co.us  I
>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=b29c0f9996&e=468754e603>
>> cdhs.colorado.gov
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>> <https://mcusercontent.com/44d99e91254ef7d2bb23b5e03/images/1cf41361-a
>> 66b-42d6-ae4f-d83d4be9aa7b.png>
>>
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>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=cda89db907&e=468754e603>
>>
>>
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>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=05a8a65385&e=468754e603>
>>
>>
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>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=755e33efe1&e=468754e603>
>>
>>
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>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=d3999d4a2d&e=468754e603>
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>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb
>> 23b5e03&id=7291d5745b&e=468754e603>
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>> 	
>>
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>> This email was sent to  <mailto:doula.jarboe at gmail.com>
>> doula.jarboe at gmail.com
>> <https://colorado.us3.list-manage.com/about?u=44d99e91254ef7d2bb23b5e0
>> 3&id=6d30a9140c&e=468754e603&c=3f38385edb>
>> why did I get this?
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>> update subscription preferences
>> CDHS - Communications · 1575 N Sherman St · Denver, CO 80203-1702 ·
>> USA
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Dan Burke
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair
>
> President, NFB of Denver
>
> "Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
>
> My Cell:  406.546.8546
> Twitter:  @DallDonal
>
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-- 
Dan Burke

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair

President, NFB of Denver

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"

My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal