The Resource Exchange Building Independence For People With Developmental Disabilities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The Resource Exchange
What is The Resource Exchange, Inc. (TRE)?
The Resource Exchange is a non-profit organization that has been in the Pikes Peak Region since 1964. It is the Community Centered Board (CCB) for El Paso, Park, and Teller counties in Colorado. We serve as the single entry point for developmental disability services and supports in the region. The Resource Exchange is responsible for eligibility determination, intake and referral, and development and implementation of services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, from birth through end of life.
What is the mission of The Resource Exchange?
The Resource Exchange builds independence for people with developmental disabilities.
How does The Resource Exchange accomplish this mission?
The Resource Exchange either provides services directly or coordinates services through other agencies. The Resource Exchange adheres to these core values in serving clients:
• Respect: We respect and honor the inherent value of people with developmental disabilities and the unique contributions they bring to our community. Equally, we respect and value every employee and volunteer.
• Integrity: We conduct our business transparently, honestly, and ethically.
• Partnership: We build reciprocal relationships with community partners that increase opportunities and high quality services.
• Excellence: We dedicate ourselves to excellence through innovation because good enough is JUST NOT good enough!
• Accountability: Everyone is accountable.
Who oversees services to people with developmental disabilities in Colorado?
There are two departments at the State level responsible for oversight for services for people with developmental disabilities:
1. The Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) provides oversight. The State also operates three Regional Centers, located in Pueblo, Grand Junction and Wheatridge. These centers provide 24-hour care programs for people from all over Colorado. These centers fill a need but do not allow for as much meaningful community interaction for the people with developmental disabilities who live there. The majority of services provided in Colorado are community-based, meaning, services are provided locally, in home communities where people live, work, learn and play.
2. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is the State’s single Medicaid agency and works in partnership with CDHS/DDD in operating and overseeing Colorado’s developmental disability services.
Both CDHS/DDD and HCPF contract with Community Centered Boards (CCBs), such as The Resource Exchange, to manage local services and programs. There are twenty such CCBs in the State that either provide adult and child services directly or coordinate these services through Program Approved Service Agencies (PASAs). These nonprofit organizations work with CCBs to deliver services to people with developmental disabilities.
What agencies does The Resource Exchange partner with to accomplish its mission?
These partners, known as “PASAs” or Program Approved Service Agencies, work with The Resource Exchange to deliver services to people with developmental disabilities:
A.B.L.E. (A Better Life Experience)
The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region
Ariel Clinical Services
Carmel Community Living Corporation
Chestor House
Cheyenne Village
Colorado Lion’s Camp
Community Intersections
Community Link
Community Advantage
Community Outreach
Connecting with Community, Inc./The Club of Arts
Creative Perspectives
Dungarvin Colorado
Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs
JWB, Inc.
Mosaic
New Day – In Home Respite Services
Senior Resource Center
Solutions Direct Services
Special Kids/Special Families
Where does The Resource Exchange get its funding?
The majority of funds for Colorado services is appropriated by the Colorado General Assembly and is administered through the Colorado Department of Human Services.
A large portion of funding for adult services comes from Medicaid. The State uses money set aside for developmental disabilities services by the legislature (general fund). The State receives a matching amount of money from Federal Medicaid funds. Since most adults with developmental disabilities are eligible for Medicaid, this fund matching is an effective way for the State to get the most dollars possible for adult services.
Most funding for child and family services comes from the State General Fund with the exception of Children’s Extensive Support and Children with Autism programs, which are funded through Medicaid. Early Intervention also receives Federal funding.
Finally, The Resource Exchange also engages in fundraising from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
What programs and services are available through The Resource Exchange?
Early Intervention (EI): For children birth to three years of age.
• Services are provided in the home for the family and child, including professionals such as speech and physical therapists.
• The goal is to use the child’s every day activities, play things, and environment for learning and to build family and community support.
• The program is tailored to meet the needs of each individual child, which makes each child’s program unique.
• The entire team of therapists, developmental interventionists, and service coordinators coordinate services focusing on “family-centered practices”.
Children’s Extensive Support (CES): For children and youth ages 0-18 with extremely intense medical and/or behavioral needs that have been determined developmentally disabled or developmentally delayed. The individual, who might otherwise require institutionalization because of the disability and co-existing medical conditions, receives case management and additional services as required for 20-24 hour direct care.
Family Support and Services Program (FSSP): Serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Individuals served are aged three through adulthood and living with a family member. Each individual is assigned a Family Support Coordinator and given an opportunity to fill out a Family Support Plan, which identifies the needs of the family. The Family Support Coordinator can help the family with access to funding and connect them with other resources in their community.
Supported Living Services (SLS): For adults living on their own or at home with their parents.
• Depending on the client’s needs and funds available, SLS services and assistance include help with Personal Care, Household Maintenance, Mentorship, Day programs, Employment Services, Community Access, Transportation, some therapies, dental and vision assistance.
• SLS can also help pay for assistive devices and home modifications that increase a client’s independence.
Comprehensive Services: For adults not living in their own home or with a relative who may require total assistance with daily living.
There are three main types of housing:
1. a group home with up to eight individuals with developmental disabilities that is staffed by an agency;
2. a host home where there are one or two individuals with developmental disabilities who live in the provider’s home along with the provider’s family;
3. an individual home or apartment where the individual lives on his/her own and has staff come in to provide assistance throughout the day.
• Clients are also able to participate in a day program to get out into the community.
• Supported Employment assists clients in finding a suitable job in the community. A job coach helps the client find a job and helps train the client at the job. The coach also periodically monitors the client and the employer’s satisfaction with the client’s position in the company.
• Transportation from home-to-program is either provided or purchased.
Case Management: An individually centered, family focused, program in which programs and resources are coordinated to enhance people’s lives. Community Coordinators (CC) help identify a client’s unique strengths and ways to enhance them. CCs explain supports available for individuals, eligibility requirements and how to request services. All programs of The Resource Exchange contain elements of case management.
