Our neighbors with disabilities enrich our community, enhance our diversity and strengthen our County. These community members and the organizations that provide support to them are recognized throughout the year and specifically in March as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – formally recognized by Douglas County Commissioners at their regular Business Meeting Tuesday, March 25.
“It’s a special day here; we are so blessed to have folks here who are doing Yeoman’s Work to ensure a quality of life for all in Douglas County,” said Commissioner and Developmental Pathways Board member Kevin Van Winkle. “We are blessed to celebrate Developmental Pathways, Wellspring and everyone in the I/DD field of work.”
Douglas County taxpayers have been supporting programs and resources for those in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community for more than two decades through the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy. Revenues in this fund are generated from a 2001 voter-approved 1.0 mill property tax. Through an interagency agreement, the County remits more than 90% of these funds to Developmental Pathways, Inc., Douglas County’s Community-Centered Board. These funds support programs and services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Douglas County.
The fund has also helped contribute to new independent housing opportunities for adults with I/DD in our community through the collaboration, construction and management of Unity on Park in Castle Rock.
“I want to reflect on the incredible work done in the Developmental Disabilities Community,” said Board Chair Abe Laydon. “Kids with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities have saints as parents who literally give up their lives to raise their kids, but then these kids grow up and those developmental disabilities do not go away just because they get older. I’m proud of the work we do with projects like Unity on Park to help fill the gaps for everyone in this community.”
“This is one of our duties we have on the Board that doesn’t feel like a duty,” said Commissioner George Teal. “It feels like an opportunity to take care of the vulnerable in our population, it’s an opportunity I’m grateful for.”
Watch this video from 2024’s State of the County presentation to learn more about how Douglas County is putting people first, including offering support for those with I/DD.