Need Project Podcast

Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is the author of a new book "Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent". Marcia is a storyteller and educator who believes that we each have a powerful purpose that should guide our lives. As one of her children is brain-injured and bedridden, Marcia and her family have traversed significant challenges. She is passionate about helping special needs families to feel more connected, gain visibility, access and support, and tap into their resilience.
Marcia helps others to connect deeply with their purpose so they can experience more joy and fulfillment. Through intuitive and logical interventions, her work seeks to shift mindsets, build habits, foster creativity and curiosity, and enable people to live their best lives each day, trusting they are enough.
As a tenured lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Marcia is most drawn to the fields of health, safety and wellness, business and personal strategy, and teaching and learning. She is a certified Parent Skills Master Trainer and enjoys working with her husband to adapt interventions for their daughter and helping other parents to do the same for their children.

Our guest is Michelle Morris-Wright. Michelle is the Agency Director/Director of Case ManCase Management for the C-HCBS Medicaid Waiver for A Special Needs Connection and Medicaid Waivers. We discuss Medicaid waivers and eligibility in the state of Colorado. Michelle also shares about becoming a CNA and how A Special Needs Connection helps families get plugged into medicaid.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado offers a warm, safe, clean, and friendly environment for families. It has two kitchens, family-friendly dining and living rooms, laundry facilities, and indoor and outdoor play areas for children. Our House is a home-away-from-home for families in need.

Thomas Pantoja is the Program Outreach Specialist for ServiceSource in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We discuss the jobs Service Source has open for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. This program is for full employment working on Fort Carson army base doing dining services.

The Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education (IN!) is a non-profit founded in 2014 by educators, disability leaders, students and families who have a vision for better and more fulfilling career opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Until recently, society’s low expectations coupled with limited opportunities have prevented people with ID from the benefits associated with a higher education. While peers move to the next phase of their lives, students with ID sit on the sidelines. Consequently, they transition from high school to adult day programs, very low paying jobs, or, in too many cases, simply end up sitting idly at home with limited social outlets. Many individuals live hopelessly below the poverty line, and have little prospect of rising above it.
IN! is actively working to have inclusive college opportunities for individuals with ID available statewide and woven into the natural fabric of all higher education.

Our President, Bob West shared with a parents group some of the advice and encouragement people have given him over the years as a parent. He shares why one, in particular, is not his favorite. This message is an encouragement for parents helping them see the value they and their whole family are.

ABLE accounts were created to help families and individuals with expenses while protecting SSDI and Medicaid. Mike Keglovits is the ABLE & Special Programs Manager for College Invest who are the administrators of ABLE accounts for the state of Colorado. We discuss the basics of these accounts and how to set one up.

Sonya is the Transition/IEP/Enrich/CDE Data Reporting Coordinator for the Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational Services. We discuss how services look different for adults and the most important things to remember and do as part of your transition.

Vicki Caruana is an educator, speaker and author of the book Standing Up for Your Child: Without Stepping on Toes. Vicki has hosted an education-based blog since 2005 http://vickicaruana.blogspot.com/

Our guest is Heather Jackson; Heather is the Executive Director of Realm of Caring, a non-profit that provides support services and resources for those using Cannabinoid products.