An Open Letter From the Director of the Office of Community Living/HCPF (English & Spanish Versions)

Dear Long-Term Service and Supports Members, The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is the state agency that oversees Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program). HCPF acknowledges the current challenges that may be impacting both you, as a member receiving Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), as well as…

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Mar 05
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Happy National Disability Independence Day!

By John Mauricio, Assistant Program Supervisor  33 years ago on July 26th, National Disability Independence Day became a federally recognized holiday to celebrate the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This was the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. This bill prohibits discrimination…

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Jul 07
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A Day in the Life of Residential Services

By John Mauricio, Assistant Program Supervisor Foothills Gateway’s mission is to advocate for and empower individuals with disabilities to lead lives of their choice. Our vision is that we believe in a life of opportunity, of choice, and of dignity for every individual, regardless of age or ability. The team…

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Mar 21
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A Remarkable Colorado Gives Day to Wrap Up our 50th Year!

Colorado Gives Day is a statewide giving movement designed to increase support for nonprofits across the Rocky Mountains. Since it was created in 2010, it has grown to be the largest 24-hour giving event in the state! This year, Colorado Gives Day was held on December 6th and raised over…

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Dec 13
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

As we near the end of Foothills Gateway’s 50th year, it is astounding what has been accomplished for people with disabilities and their families in our community.  Throughout our anniversary year we have looked back at the early years of Foothills Gateway, and it is evident that disability services have…

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Dec 05
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Employee Perspectives

The strength and beauty of Foothills Gateway lies in the incredible group of employees who make up the organization, many of whom have been with us for decades.  The longevity of our staff is a source of pride, and points to a workplace that provides many benefits.  As we near…

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Nov 02
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Walking the Road Together

Linda Drees is the current Secretary of the Foothills Gateway Board of Directors and, since 2003, has served on the Board for a total of almost 15 years.  More importantly, Linda is Marianna’s mother!  Marianna has received case management from Foothills Gateway since she was a child.  Today, Linda shares…

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Oct 04
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: It Takes a Village

For almost the entirety of Foothills Gateway’s 50 year history, the Kling family has been a part of our Foothills Gateway ‘family’.  Today, they share some thoughts on that partnership and the positive impact is has had on all of them.    It is a true honor to be part…

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Sep 06
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Partners in Service

It has been said that you are only as good as your team.  This sentiment proves especially true when we consider the vast “team” of Program Approved Service Agencies (PASAs) who partner with Foothills Gateway to provide important services and supports for people with disabilities in Larimer County.  Today, we…

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Aug 04
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A Day in the Life of a Children's Case Manager

The Children’s Case Management team is made up of Olivia Knieff, who is the Lead Case Manager for the team and supervises the Children Case Managers – Kristine Escamilla, Jeneen Viens, Genevieve Marmaduke and Dani Murdock. Together they support countless families to navigate three different programs. CHCBS (Children’s Home and…

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Jul 13
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: A Personal Perspective

Lee Anne Miller is a Foothills Gateway staff person who has been a part of the Foothills Gateway family for almost 30 years.  Lee Anne shares with us some of her memories of various Foothills Gateway staff, as well as experiences that have shaped her professional growth and have been…

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Jul 06
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Day Program and Work Crews of the 90s

50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Day Program and Work Crews of the 90s   Diane Bocanegra has been an essential part of Foothills Gateway’s Day programs and work crews since 1990, and now serves as Janitorial Supervisor for the organization.  Today she takes us back to the 1990s and the…

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Jun 07
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Larimer County Supports the IDD Community

50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Larimer County Supports the IDD Community Diana Foland spent 30 years at Foothills Gateway, serving in several different capacities within the Administrative Division.  She ended her tenure with the organization as our Chief Administrative Officer but, today, looks back at her time as the Public…

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May 05
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Foothills Gateway Nominee for 2022 Alliance Direct Support Professional of the Year

Little did we know when Jared Renken began working for Foothills Gateway Inc. in February 2019 that he would play such a vital role in getting us through one of the most disruptive periods in our organizations’ fifty-year history. When Jared came to us, he had previously worked for another…

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Apr 07
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: Residential Services

Residential Director, Judy Tomcak, has been a part of Foothills Gateway for almost four decades.  Today, Judy shares her experiences working in direct services, focusing on the Residential program where she has spent a majority of her tenure.  They say, “home is where your heart is”, and Judy has put…

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Apr 06
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: A Look Back at the Beginning

When Foothills Gateway first opened its doors in 1972, Phyllis Freeman was one of the employees who was there.  Phyllis spent her career at FGI – almost 40 years – and retired as the Placement Coordinator in 2011.  Today she reminds us how the organization got its start and takes…

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Mar 04
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50 Years at Foothills Gateway: A Look Back at Supported Living Services

Pat Carney, the Support Services Case Management Director, began his tenure at Foothills Gateway in 1995 as a part time DSP and Supported Living Consultant (SLC).  Today he takes a look back at the beginnings of Supported Living Services and the foundational role this program played in bringing person-centered practices…

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Feb 09
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Foothills Gateway Turns 50 - A Look Back From Our CEO, Erin Eulenfeld

In 2022, Foothills Gateway, Inc. (FGI) will be commemorating a landmark anniversary throughout the year! For the past 50 years, FGI has been a leader in providing innovative, compassionate, and supportive care to those we serve.   Today, we take a look back at how FGI has evolved and grown through…

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Jan 07
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Colorado Gives Day reached a new peak this year!

Colorado Gives Day was created in 2010 to bring our state together in support of the many nonprofits that make Colorado such a great place to live. This year, the day of giving raised more than $54 million for over 3,000 local nonprofits – breaking all records! The Foothills Gateway…

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Dec 21
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FGI Fundraiser at DC Oakes

We would be honored if you’d come out to support Foothills Gateway and enjoy some delicious eats with us!

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Dec 09
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Reaching New Peaks: Daryl's Story

Meet Daryl: a member of our Community Skills Development Program (CSDP). She is quite the social butterfly, and when the supervisors in her program with another organization moved to Foothills Gateway, she knew that the relationships were worth following and she came to be a part of the FGI family…

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Nov 29
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Reaching New Peaks: Zach's Story

In our countdown to the biggest one-day charitable giving event of the year, Colorado Gives Day, today we share with you a beautiful story featuring Zach! After experiencing disappointment and limited opportunities in similar programs, Zach came to Foothills Gateway and, with the help of the Supported Employment program, has…

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Nov 22
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Reaching New Peaks: Beau's Story

Beau came to Foothills Gateway as one of the first participants in the Foothills Gateway BrightStart program that was established just this year. BrightStart is an extra support for babies and toddlers who don’t qualify for early intervention, but still need structured supports to make for the best progress in…

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Nov 15
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Reaching New Peaks: Kariee An's Story

More than twenty years ago, Kariee An came to Foothills Gateway after struggling in other facilities that didn’t fully support her independence, values and goals. She was worried about trying new things and branching out after experiencing such discouraging treatment. Both Kariee An and our Residential staff invested many years…

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Nov 05
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Sponsor Spotlight!: High Country Beverage

High Country Beverage (HCB) has been a part of the Northern Colorado community since 1996 when Dave Nichols left his Vice President position at Coors Brewing Co. and purchased two local beer distributors to merge and create something new. Over the years, High Country has grown to distribute some of…

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Sep 24
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Sponsor Spotlight!: Otero Corporation

Founded in 2007 by Jessie and Laurie Otero, The Otero Corporation’s mission is to empower and advocate for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in an environment of compassion, dignity, and respect. The organization came to life surrounding family values. Therefore, it is their number one goal to provide a…

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Sep 24
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Inside Article: The Why Behind What We Do

The Why Behind What We Do By Kortney Campbell There are so many different areas of Foothills Gateway it is easy for us to feel disconnected from each other at times, and yet, we all keep working hard to support the people we care so deeply about. I got to…

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Sep 24
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Supported Employment Success Story

Are you ready for some football…helmets? As I walked into the building, I instantly smelled paint, heard unfamiliar noises and saw endless amounts of helmets and parts. There is a lot of hustle and bustle in this business and the career consultants knew who would fit in perfectly. Jay’s love…

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Jul 15
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DSP Award of the Year: Mary Jo McBride

This is what John DeVos, SLS Direct Program Supervisor, had to say regarding Mary Jo’s nomination: When asked to describe Mary Jo McBride, virtually anyone you speak with at Foothills Gateway (FGI) will give you the same answer: she would do absolutely anything for anyone, regardless of what might be…

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Apr 02
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COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As the first FDA-authorized doses of vaccine for COVID-19 are now being administered, we wanted to share this update with you. Currently, all vaccines are purchased by the federal government and distributed to states. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has set up a distribution plan for…

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Feb 01
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Support local businesses that employ people with disabilities!

Need last minute gifts? Start here! We all know that this year has been tough on our communities and small businesses. The Foothills Gateway Supported Employment program has the pleasure of working with over 50 local businesses who employ adults with disabilities. The following list features a few of those…

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Dec 11
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Colorado Gives Day Results, 2020

­­­­ Colorado Gives Day was created in 2010 to bring our state together in support of the many nonprofits that make Colorado such a great place to live. This year, the day of giving raised more than $50 million for 2.900 local nonprofits – breaking all records and predictions. The…

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Dec 10
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Showing Up for Each Other

The Early Intervention Team stands in solidarity with each other and with the families they serve. If we have learned nothing else in the last eight months, it is that our communities are stronger together through uncertain and unprecedented times. The Early Intervention (EI) Team was already a tight knit…

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Nov 19
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Showing Up for Families

Supporting unique service options to meet individual needs Many individuals and families served by Foothills Gateway (FGI) had to adopt the quarantine lifestyle when the pandemic first began; some did so to protect elderly parents or grandparents, while others were acutely aware of their own health risks. Maya and her…

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Nov 13
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Showing Up for Those We Support

When the pandemic reached the U.S. back in March, the lockdowns left Jeff unable to work for several weeks. His job was in the food service industry so, just like many others experienced, the initial shutdowns were hard on Jeff’s bank account and his day-to-day life. As COVID-19 continued to…

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Nov 06
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Showing Up Together for Others

One staff. One common goal. Similar to countless others around the world, navigating the pandemic has resulted in many challenges that Foothills Gateway staff have never experienced before. But what happens when you cannot completely shut down or shift to remote work? What happens when your team is responsible for…

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Nov 04
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Are you ready to vote in the election on November 3rd?

We held our annual Town Hall, co-hosted with The Arc of Larimer County and SummitStone Health Partner’s Spirit Crossing Clubhouse, on Tuesday, October 13th. Candidates for offices from Congress to County Commissioner joined us to talk about services and supports for people with IDD and behavioral health issues. We invite…

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Oct 06
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Sponsor Spotlight: World By the Tail, Inc.

ClayPaws® Kits from World by the Tail, Inc. Making an Imprint on the World for over 20 Years An example of a finished ClayPaw print World By the Tail, Inc. (WBTT) is a women-founded, family-run company based in Fort Collins, CO. Since 1997, WBTT has been…

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Sep 21
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Sponsor Spotlight: FNBO

With more than 160 years’ experience meeting customers’ financial needs, First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) has built a reputation for service few banks can match. FNBO has a history of doing what’s right for their customers, employees, shareholders and the communities they serve. Their Operating Philosophy and independent ownership…

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Sep 15
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Sponsor Spotlight: The Otero Corporation

Founded in 2007 by Jessie and Laurie Otero, The Otero Corporation’s mission is to empower and advocate for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in an environment of compassion, dignity, and respect. The organization came to life surrounding family values. Therefore, it is their number one goal to provide a…

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Sep 09
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Sponsor Spotlight: High Country Beverage

High Country Beverage (HCB) has been a part of the Northern Colorado community since 1996 when Dave Nichols left his Vice President position at Coors Brewing Co. and purchased two local beer distributors to merge and create something new. Over the years, High Country has grown to distribute some of…

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Sep 02
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Meet the CEO

Decades of Dedication & Embracing Every Opportunity to Grow Foothills Gateway’s recently named Chief Executive Officer, Erin Eulenfeld, first came to Foothills Gateway in July 1978. To say that things were different then would not tell the whole story; Foothills Gateway, Inc. (FGI) operated in a vastly different world with…

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Aug 10
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35 Years of Passion, Humor & Progress

Foothills Gateway bids Debbie Lapp a fond farewell. It’s safe to say that Debbie Lapp is a well-known name around Foothills Gateway. Her role as Chief Operating Officer of Case Management gave her the opportunity to touch many lives and push for progress in the ways we provide support for…

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Jun 23
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Congratulations, Kathy Hingtgen!

Foothills Gateway Direct Support Professional, Kathy Hingtgen, named Alliance Colorado DSP Honoree 2020. Each year, in line with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day at the State Capitol in downtown Denver, Alliance of Colorado asks agencies across the state to submit nominations for the award of Direct Support Professional honoree.…

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Mar 13
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Annual Meeting Summary, March 2020

The Foothills Gateway Annual Meeting, which took place on Monday, March 2, 2020, served as a wonderful recap of 2019. The meeting opened with Marla Maxey and Liz Johnson speaking to Jim Wise’s story before his video was played. *If you haven’t seen Jim’s story yet, you can find it…

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Mar 04
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Foothills Gateway obtains 44th year of accreditation through CARF International

CARF International, a nonprofit accreditor of health and human services programs, granted Foothills Gateway, Inc. three-year accreditation in late 2019, continuing the organization’s 44-year trend of voluntarily meeting and exceeding CARF standards. View the full report here. CARF accreditation consists of in-depth reviews to help organizations achieve the highest quality…

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Jan 09
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Colorado Gives Day Results 2019

­­­­Colorado Gives Day was created in 2010 to bring our state together in support of the many nonprofits that make Colorado such a great place to live. Over the last 9 years, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $250 Million total for 2,569 nonprofits state-wide. For Foothills Gateway, this…

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Dec 17
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"Support is Family"

Nolan was one year-old when he and his family first came to Foothills Gateway in 2016. They knew he had a speech delay and that he would need some kind of support, but nothing could have prepared them for the journey ahead. Services always begin with an evaluation to assess…

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Dec 02
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Support is Reliable Transportation

Meet Jessica & Alyssa! These ladies ride to work together four days/week through Foothills Gateway transportation services. Without this support it would be difficult to get to work on time and stay employed. For Jessica & Alyssa, Support Is Reliable Transportation. Before Jessica and her family connected with Foothills Gateway…

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Nov 26
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Support is Monitoring Health to Increase Independence

Meet Devin! He is a freshman in high school and, with some extra support, he has been able to return to public school after two years of homeschooling! For Devin, support is monitoring his health so he can return to public school. Devin has an autoimmune disease which can cause…

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Nov 19
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Support is Education & Coaching

With the Infant Support Team, support is educating and coaching families of NICU graduates to enhance overall growth and development. The Infant Support Team (IST) was created within the Early Intervention Program in 2015 in order to address the unique needs of families who have a newborn with a condition…

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Nov 12
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Support Is Empowerment

For Becky, support is empowering her to achieve her dreams. Sgt. Joel Tower and Becky pose for a photo in the Police Dept. (2018) In January of 2018, Becky was paired with a job coach who was determined to help her reach her goals. According to…

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Nov 05
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Snow Day Memo, 2019-20

MEMO To: All Staff, Parents & Guardians, Providers and other Interested Parties From: Chief Executive Officers Date: 10/07/19 RE: Severe Weather Cancellation Procedures (a/k/a Snow Day) Foothills Gateway, Inc. wants to safeguard the health and welfare of individuals receiving services and staff during severe weather conditions. To do so, it…

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Oct 09
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DSP Recognition Week 2019

Every year, Foothills Gateway, along with service organizations across the country, takes the second week in September to recognize and appreciate our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). These are the people who spend their days supporting individuals with disabilities. That support looks different for every program, every area, and every person.…

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Sep 17
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Relationship Classes for People with I/DD

Foothills Gateway has offered relationship classes since 2011, with a focus on developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Our goal is to educate families and people in services to learn about their bodies, emotions, sexual health, and their individual rights around sexuality. Classes are available to individuals in two age groups:…

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Sep 03
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Respitality, 2019-20

YOU deserve some respite! [View the full Respitality flier here] With everyone heading back to school, the Foothills Gateway Family Support Services Council has been hard at work. The Council has partnered with Respite Care, Inc. once again to provide FREE childcare through the Respitality program 12 times throughout the…

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Aug 26
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Electronic Visit Verification - Update

Background: The federal government passed the “21st Century CURES Act” in December 2016. This act requires Medicaid/Medicaid Waiver programs to implement an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system for Personal Care and Home Health-type services. Therefore, all states must implement an EVV system to avoid a reduction in federal Medicaid funding,…

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Aug 19
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Colorado START Coordination Evaluation Report

2017-2019 In 2014, the University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities at the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine completed a state-wide study that identified gaps in services for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability who experience a behavioral health issue and recommended several initiatives to enhance services to…

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Jun 25
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Upcoming Changes: July 1, 2019

The Family Support Services Program After a multi-year process, Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) revised the rules for the Family Support Services Program (FSSP). The revised rules will change the following: The types of services eligible for reimbursement How families report the services for reimbursement The annual reporting requirements…

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Jun 20
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Staff Head to Breckenridge for Alliance and Six State Summit

The Alliance Summit and Six State Summit took place June 12th through June 14th at Beaver Run, Breckenridge, CO The Alliance Summit is an annual event where staff of Alliance member agencies (all of which serve people with disabilities) have the opportunity to meet, learn from each other, and discuss…

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Jun 17
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Host Homes: Finding a Match That Will Last

Ten minutes to share their favorite Host Home stories– that was the assignment. The Foothills Gateway Residential team lit up when this challenge was presented. It was an inspiring scene, watching this team ignite with genuine care and excitement for the people they support. Nine inspiring stories in ten minutes.…

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Jun 05
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Direct Support Professional of the Year - Our Nominees

Foothills Gateway is proud to share the nominations written on behalf of Brad Blasi and Jesse Albertson for Direct Support Professional of the Year. Both nominees show true dedication to the people they support and serve. They are problem-solvers who deeply care about the work they do, and their nominations…

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Mar 06
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I/DD Awareness Day 2019

Each year, on the last Wednesday of February, Alliance Colorado, The Arc of Colorado and JFK Partners collaborate to host Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness Day at the Capitol in Denver. Tributes are given in both the State House and Senate Chambers, and people with disabilities lead the pledge…

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Mar 01
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ClimateWise Report, 2018

ClimateWise is a voluntary program that offers simple solutions to help Fort Collins businesses to reduce their impact, save money and gain recognition for their achievements in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transportation and social responsibility. Foothills Gateway, as a ClimateWise Partner is recognized for its achievements in…

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Feb 12
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Angel’s Center for Children with Special Needs

Uganda, Africa — Update, December 2019 On November 5th, 2018, Foothills Gateway staff were treated to an incredible experience. Rosemary Nambooze, the Executive Director of Angel’s Center in Uganda, Africa, was here to provide a first-hand account of what it is like to provide care to children with disabilities in…

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Jan 18
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Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) Waiver will come under Foothills Gateway's Case Management in 2019

The CHRP waiver has been around for many years. It exists “for children and youth in foster care who have a developmental disability and very high needs. Their needs for support put them at risk for institutional care. Waiver services help these children and youth learn and maintain skills needed…

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Dec 12
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Colorado Gives Day Results 2018

­ Colorado Gives Day was created in 2010 to bring our state together in support of the many nonprofits that make Colorado such a great place to live. Over the last 8 years, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $217 Million total for 2,481 nonprofits state-wide. This year, Foothills…

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Dec 07
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Foothills Gateway - Beyond the Basics

We’re doing something a little different for Colorado Gives Day this year. Instead of telling you where your dollars could go, we are SHOWING you through the “Beyond the Basics” story series. You will meet five incredible humans along the way while seeing first-hand what a difference donations make in…

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Nov 16
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Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education

What YOU Need to Know The Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education (IN!) is a nonprofit organization working to create fully inclusive college opportunities for Colorado students with intellectual disabilities “to foster academic growth, social development, and career advancement.” Nationally, students with disabilities who are completing inclusive college programs are…

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Nov 01
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Town Hall Breakfast 2018

This year’s Town Hall Breakfast brought together 120 people with 18 candidates up for election in the 2018 Mid-Term. The Arc of Larimer County, Foothills Gateway, and SummitStone Health Partners are proud to collaborate on this event. The morning kicked off with a buffet breakfast and welcome notes from each…

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Oct 15
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Celebrating DSP Week

The week of September 9th–15th, service agencies across the nation celebrated Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week. The week’s goal is to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of outstanding DSPs and their vital contribution to our communities. Sadly, a great deal of the population sees DSP roles as entry-level, and we…

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Sep 18
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Respitality, 2018-19

YOU deserve some respite! With everyone heading back to school, the Foothills Gateway Family Support Services Council has been hard at work. The Council has partnered with Respite Care, Inc. once again to provide FREE childcare 13 times throughout the 2018-19 school year.              …

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Aug 24
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Supported Employment Happenings

It has been a busy summer for our Supported Employment program! There are 56 million people in the United States living with a disability. Approximately 13.3 million of those people report having difficulty finding a job even though they are able and actively seeking employment. The Foothills Gateway Supported Employment…

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Aug 23
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We Love Softball, Yes, We Do!

By Jake Makowski As winter turns to spring each year and the snow begins to vanish the quick small-talk questions that come my way as I walk the halls at Foothills turn to a familiar subject, often the same question: “When’s softball starting?!”  Each year the FGI Wellness Committee organizes a…

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Jun 21
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Staff In-Service Recap

On Monday, June 11, Foothills Gateway welcomed John Raffaele, the Director of Education Services with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), as our keynote speaker during Staff In-Service. We spent the day learning about and applying Direct Support Professional (DSP) Competency Areas alongside the NADSP Code of Ethics.…

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Jun 19
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Inaugural Colorado Youth Leadership Forum for Teens and Young Adults who have Disabilities

This July, the Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council (CSILC) and the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council are coming together for the Inaugural Colorado Youth Leadership Forum at Colorado State University. Click to view en Español This is an innovative, 5-day on campus conference for Colorado high school…

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May 23
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Special Thanks to CSU Social Work Students

Foothills Gateway has worked with Colorado State University’s Social Work 286 class for years, matching second-year Social Work students with individuals we serve to spend quality time together. This is the students’ first experience building relationships with individuals while setting professional boundaries and practicing social work skills, like advocacy and…

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May 16
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10th Annual Flying Pig 5K - a Success!

In the early morning hours of April 8th, hundreds of people from all over northern Colorado rolled out of bed and headed to Spring Canyon Park for the 10th annual Flying Pig 5k. As runners waited in line to pick up their race packets, they were greeted by friendly volunteers,…

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May 09
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Today is World Down Syndrome Day!

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. Today, people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and to create a unified global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome.…

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Mar 21
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Spring 2018 Events

The Arc’s Guardianship and Less Restrictive Options Workshop  A Presentation on the Options Available, What They Mean to You and Your Family, and How to Begin the Process. If you and your family are considering guardianship, we highly recommend you attend this workshop. Once you have attended, you can sign up for…

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Mar 21
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Prevocational Transition Program at Foothills Gateway

In 2013, the Foothills Gateway Supported Employment program realized there was gap in the services it provided. There were the in-house prevocational work spaces, and job coaches working with individuals out in the community, but nothing in between. That’s where the idea for the Prevocational Career Consultant position sparked. There…

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Mar 12
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I/DD Day at the Colorado Capitol

Jean Marie leads the Pledge of Allegiance in the Colorado State House of Representatives On Wednesday, February 28, the Foothills Gateway Community Relations Team along with Jean Marie, our DSP of the Year Nominees, and their guests made their way to the Colorado Capitol for Intellectual…

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Mar 05
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A Nita Crisp Retirement

As 2017 was coming to a close, one individual was wrapping up his 10-years working at Nita Crisp Crackers. Craig J. made his retirement official with a celebration on December 20. Foothills Gateway Supported Employment has partnered with Nita Crisp Crackers, a local company that bakes artisan crackers for both…

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Feb 02
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ClimateWise Report 2017

We did it again!  During 2017, Foothills Gateway continued to engage in ClimateWise recycling and energy-saving efforts and we have achieved Platinum Partner level! The Platinum Partner level is the highest level for the program. Recycling: During 2017, Foothills Gateway recycled 4.5 tons of metal. By December 2017, Foothills Gateway had…

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Jan 09
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Adaptive Recreation Opportunities keep Individuals of All Abilities Busy!

Fall is here and many of the individuals we serve are enjoying the season with Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO). The ARO program offers healthy and fun experiences through three basic service areas: inclusion, transition, and specialized programs. In the last INK issue, we highlighted one particular ARO program – the…

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Nov 20
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Music Therapy at Foothills Gateway Helps Build Autonomy

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” – Victor Hugo Walking around the building on a Tuesday morning at Foothills Gateway, you’re bound to hear guitars, maracas, drums, singing, and other whimsical sounds coming from a conference room. For several years now,…

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Nov 17
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Day Programs Harvest Their Hard Work

Located in central Fort Collins lies The Gardens on Spring Creek. The local botanical garden hosts thousands of visitors each year and puts on dozens of special events year round. In addition, The Gardens on Spring Creek also features a community garden. Each spring, community members apply for a plot…

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Nov 16
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Community Updates, Fall 2017

State Senator Kefalas visits Foothills On Thursday, Sept. 28th, State Senator John Kefalas stopped by to learn more about Foothills Gateway. His tour was led by Stacy Hill, Jan Irvin and Nathan Scott. The Senator had great questions, feedback and interest in the work and history of Foothills Gateway. The…

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Nov 15
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DSP Week 2017

Why we appreciate our Direct Support Professionals Every year, we take a week in September to recognize and appreciate Direct Support Professionals, or “DSPs”, across the country for the hard work they do. Just this morning, the United States Senate recognized DSP Week, and Governor Hickenlooper has been a long-time…

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Sep 15
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Conflict Free Case Management Update

As defined in the bill, “Conflict Free Case Management” refers to case management services provided by a case management agency that is a different agency from the one that provides Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to the person. On Monday, June 5th, the Governor signed this bill into law.…

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Aug 08
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Adaptive Recreation Opportunities: The Beloved Senior Center Dances

“On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined.” – Lord Byron If you were to go to the Fort Collins Senior Center on the last Friday night of the month you just might experience one of the most fun and entertaining nights of your life. You’d see a dance floor…

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Aug 03
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Person Centered Practice in Action

By Jesse Albertson I’d like to introduce everyone to Dolan. A man who embraces every challenge in life with a positive outlook and attitude. Dolan just turned 46. His ideal day includes sleeping in for a bit, waking up to good coffee, relaxing in his own condo, and watching Rachel…

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Aug 01
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So what is Supported Employment anyway?

As the alarm goes off in the morning, most of us give it a sideways glance and debate hitting “snooze” one more time before we trudge out of bed and get ourselves going for the work day ahead. This may just be the biggest hurdle we have to get over…

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May 12
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Foothills Gateway Social Groups

At Foothills Gateway, the halls and conference rooms are always busy with the hustle and bustle of people coming and going. Do you sometimes wonder what goes on around here besides what you do? The Men and Women Social Groups are one little-known activity. As case managers work with individuals,…

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May 01
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Staff In-Service Day Changed!

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE Please note that the date of the Staff In Service Day has changed from June 23, 2017 to June 16, 2017. Foothills Gateway services will be closed on Friday, June 16, as we will be keeping our staff busy!   Please reach out to info@foothillsgateway.org if you have…

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Apr 21
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Foothills Gateway Annual Meeting

Each year, Foothills Gateway dedicates the March Board of Directors meeting to looking back on the previous year. So, on March 6th, board members, employees and friends gathered together to celebrate and learn more about how things are going.   The highlight of this year’s Annual Meeting was a presentation about…

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Apr 18
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Meet the FGI Board: Punkie Whitely

Do you have a nickname that stuck permanently? Maybe?  Current 12-year Board Member, Punkie Whitely has. Punkie (given name Doris) got her nickname Punkie from her grandfather who started calling her “Punkins,” which turned into Punkie by the time she was three-weeks-old and it stuck. Even her college professors at…

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Apr 11
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Early Intervention Continues to Grow

Chaotic. Disorganized. Stressful. These are just a few of the words used to describe the lives of families with toddlers. Now imagine a toddler who needs Early Intervention. From navigating Medicaid waivers to understanding what therapies their child may need, being a new parent of a child with developmental delays…

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Apr 11
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Welcome to Our New Website!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website! Take a look around and let us know what Foothills Gateway can do for you. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns!

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Apr 06
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