The Arc in Jefferson County : About Us : Programs & Services

The Arc in Jefferson County provides advocacy, support, leadership, and training for people with developmental disabilities and their families. To learn more about advocacy services for children and adults, follow the links below.

Educational and Family Advocacy for children with developmental disabilities aged 21 and under. This area of support deals with individual and system issues within the public education system, where services are mandated for children with disabilities; as well as with issues related to community resources or community access. Advocacy for children and families includes supporting and strengthening families, helping families access community resources, and teaching advocacy skills to parents and professionals.

Individual Advocacy for Children and Families involves attending IEP meetings, interacting with school officials and service agencies, building community resources, and problem-solving and dispute resolution. This service is limited to those within our service boundaries of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Click the link above to view our advocacy service areas.
Mobilizing Families is a training program designed to empower parents of children with developmental disabilities by equipping them with basic information and resources they need to advocate for their child’s rights and needs. To learn more, click the link above.
Training for Transition (T4T) is a weekend seminar designed to provide an overview of community and government resources and to address common issues for students transitioning from school to adult life. This program is a cooperative effort with Easter Seals Colorado and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to provide training to parents of transition-aged students (14-21) and transition professionals. For more detail, click the link above.

Individual and Family Advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities aged 18 and over. This area of support focuses on assisting individuals to become more self-reliant and independent, working with public and private agencies to maximize opportunities for these individuals. Advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities includes: promoting community participation and integration by self-advocates; providing advocacy for adults in community systems; facilitating decision-making; and providing formal representation as needed. We also facilitate several social groups for adult self-advocates.

Individual Advocacy for Adults and Familiesinvolves attending meetings, interacting with state and local systems, problem-solving and dispute resolution. Because of the changing needs of adults with disabilities and an ever-changing service system, adult support is ongoing throughout a person’s lifetime. Adult advocacy also includes supporting family caregivers. This service is limited to those within our service boundaries of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties.
Authorized Representative and Guardianship Services On a case-by-case basis, The Arc in Jefferson County provides formal representation for individuals with developmental disabilities. In this capacity, we help with major life decisions to ensure the best interests of each individual are being served. This representation can be as an Authorized Representative under Colorado Law or as a legal guardian (on a limited basis).
People First at The Arc -People First is composed of self advocates who meet together in order to gain self-advocacy skills and for social events. People First is a local chapter of the national organization Speaking For Ourselves. Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 PM at The ArcJC offices in Lakewood.
Coffee House -Coffee House is a social meeting of self advocates held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30 - 8 PM at Atlanta Bread Company, 7740 West Alameda Ave. Unit E, in Lakewood.
Rocky Mountain Partners Aktion Club is a Kiwanis group for adults with developmental disabilities and community mentors. Members participate in programming about social issues and work on a variety of community service projects. Aktion Club meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4 PM at The ArcJC offices in Lakewood.

Overview Mission History Programs & Services Staff & Board Impact Stories News Archive Employment		Programs & Services The Arc in Jefferson County provides advocacy, support, leadership, and training for people with developmental disabilities and their families. To learn more about advocacy services for children and adults, follow the links below. Educational and Family Advocacy for children with developmental disabilities aged 21 and under. This area of support deals with individual and system issues within the public education system, where services are mandated for children with disabilities; as well as with issues related to community resources or community access. Advocacy for children and families includes supporting and strengthening families, helping families access community resources, and teaching advocacy skills to parents and professionals. Individual Advocacy for Children and Families involves attending IEP meetings, interacting with school officials and service agencies, building community resources, and problem-solving and dispute resolution. This service is limited to those within our service boundaries of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Click the link above to view our advocacy service areas. Mobilizing Families is a training program designed to empower parents of children with developmental disabilities by equipping them with basic information and resources they need to advocate for their child’s rights and needs. To learn more, click the link above. Training for Transition (T4T) is a weekend seminar designed to provide an overview of community and government resources and to address common issues for students transitioning from school to adult life. This program is a cooperative effort with Easter Seals Colorado and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to provide training to parents of transition-aged students (14-21) and transition professionals. For more detail, click the link above. Individual and Family Advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities aged 18 and over. This area of support focuses on assisting individuals to become more self-reliant and independent, working with public and private agencies to maximize opportunities for these individuals. Advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities includes: promoting community participation and integration by self-advocates; providing advocacy for adults in community systems; facilitating decision-making; and providing formal representation as needed. We also facilitate several social groups for adult self-advocates. Individual Advocacy for Adults and Familiesinvolves attending meetings, interacting with state and local systems, problem-solving and dispute resolution. Because of the changing needs of adults with disabilities and an ever-changing service system, adult support is ongoing throughout a person’s lifetime. Adult advocacy also includes supporting family caregivers. This service is limited to those within our service boundaries of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Authorized Representative and Guardianship Services On a case-by-case basis, The Arc in Jefferson County provides formal representation for individuals with developmental disabilities. In this capacity, we help with major life decisions to ensure the best interests of each individual are being served. This representation can be as an Authorized Representative under Colorado Law or as a legal guardian (on a limited basis). People First at The Arc -People First is composed of self advocates who meet together in order to gain self-advocacy skills and for social events. People First is a local chapter of the national organization Speaking For Ourselves. Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 PM at The ArcJC offices in Lakewood. Coffee House -Coffee House is a social meeting of self advocates held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30 - 8 PM at Atlanta Bread Company, 7740 West Alameda Ave. Unit E, in Lakewood. Rocky Mountain Partners Aktion Club is a Kiwanis group for adults with developmental disabilities and community mentors. Members participate in programming about social issues and work on a variety of community service projects. Aktion Club meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4 PM at The ArcJC offices in Lakewood.