Dear Community,
We understand there is community concern regarding the memo the Executive Office of the President released Monday, January 27th – Memo-25-13. This memo requires Federal agencies to complete an analysis of assistance programs and implements a temporary pause for federal grant, loan and other financial assistance funds. The action was paused until Monday, February 3rd. And Memo-25-14 rescinding the previous memo was issued on January 29th. While the freeze has been rescinded, review of all federal grants and contracts is still happening at the federal level.
Today, January 31st, a temporary restraining order was issued, temporarily blocking the federal administration from freezing federal loans, grants and other financial assistance to 22 states. Read more here or here; this situation is evolving at the time this blog is being published.
We want to let you know that we have been tracking this situation and issues specific to Councils and other programs impacting people with disabilities. Council Staff also met with our network and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD). Councils like ours are federally funded to provide vital efforts in systems change, capacity building and advocacy for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in our communities. At this time, all our work is continuing as planned.
Times of uncertainty like these often motivate us to get involved, to pay more attention, and to engage in community conversations about solutions and needed change. It is important to remember that the events of this week are not any one person’s responsibility or fault. It is part of a larger system that requires us to look for root causes, have often difficult conversations and work to design systems and policies that are equitable and fair for everyone. If you find yourself looking for ways to stay connected, here are some ideas for you.
Want to get involved?:
- Apply to join the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council or share the opportunity with a friend. We are currently seeking 5 new members, prioritizing self-advocates and their family members. Applications are due February 7th.
- Join our email list for updates. We will not SPAM your inbox.
- Catch us on your favorite social media site: Linktree page with our social media platforms and upcoming events.
- Join a Council or Committee meeting, open to the public. See our calendar for details.
Other Resources and Partner Events We Recommend:
- Become a member (it’s free!) of Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC) to receive important and timely updates about legislative alerts, advocacy, trainings, and things to know about cross disability in Colorado.
- Register here to join Disability Law Colorado for a bipartisan online panel discussion on the future of disability justice in Colorado and beyond, happening Thursday, February 20th at 11:30am.
- Save the Date for Disability Rights Advocacy Day on March 6th at 8am! Registration will open soon. This event is hosted by Disability Law Colorado, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, Arc of Colorado and Colorado Access.
- Save the Date for IDD Awareness Day on March 19th. This event is hosted by Alliance, Arc of Colorado, and JFK Partners. There are events at the Capitol in the morning, followed by an awards lunch.
- Follow the information provided by the CO Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) about impacts to Medicaid in our state. Updates from the Office of Community Living are posted on this webpage or if you prefer to receive emails, you can sign up here.
We are committed to continuing to provide quality, verified information to our community always, but especially during times of uncertainty. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support, resources or connections.
We are grateful to be part of this community of dedicated, capable and committed disability advocates, both within our Council and across Colorado. Take a deep breath and get curious; our work is just beginning.
In community,
Sarah Grazier
Executive Director