Uncategorized Archives

Keeping or Restoring Your Medicaid Benefits

Written by Josh Engard on January 29, 2024. Posted in For Community, Medicaid, Navigation Resources, Uncategorized.

Have you lost your Medicaid benefits and aren’t sure why? Are you confused about why you lost your Medicaid benefits? You may still be eligible to receive Medicaid. Some cases may even be eligible to have past services covered. These resources can help:

Local Resources – Jefferson County:

Jefferson County Dept. of Human Services
900 Jefferson County Parkway
Suite 170
Golden, CO 80401

Phone: 303-271-1388
Fax: 303-271-4207

Waivers Served: Brain Injury Waiver (BI), Children with Life-Limiting Illness Waiver (CLLI), Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver (CHCBS), Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH), Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD)

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
11177 W. 8th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215

Phone: 303-233-3363

Waivers Served: Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver (CHCBS), Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD), Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

Local Resources – Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties:

Adult Care Management, Inc. – Single Entry Point (SEP)
1455 Dixon Avenue
Suite 105
Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-439-7011
Fax: 866-931-0763

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
11177 W. 8th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215

Phone: 303-233-3363

Waivers Served: Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD), Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

Other State Resources:

Connect for Health Colorado

Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus Grievance Form

For the first time in more than three years, Coloradans who are no longer eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) are losing their coverage.

Jefferson Center Navigation can help you apply for Medicaid- and help in-person with paper applications or virtually with online applications! We can also assess eligibility for sliding scale and get that established in the interim. Medicaid typically back-dates coverage for up to 3 months to cover accruing expenses while people are waiting for benefits to be approved so clients can be reimbursed for costs once approved as well. We also have information on Marketplace insurance we can share for individuals who are over income for Medicaid, but we are unable to assist with these applications specifically.

Parent Further

Written by jeffersonc on January 13, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized.

Resources & information for parents

Dental: Low Cost

Written by jeffersonc on December 30, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.

Low-Cost Medical: Healthcare

Written by jeffersonc on December 30, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.

It’s Ok to Ask: The Power of “Are You Ok?”

Written by jeffersonc on December 28, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.

It’s not fun – or even easy – to talk about, but this month we’re talking about suicide.

Talking about the issue of suicide makes many of us feel uncomfortable, helpless and perhaps even frustrated. For those who know someone who has died by suicide, it impacts friends, family and the entire community. It is devastating; it is also preventable. The more the community learns about risk factors and warning signs, the more lives can be saved.

September is suicide prevention month and with the news of Colorado suicide rates in the news lately (read here, here or here,) it’s apparent now is the time we start asking a simple question.

Are you ok?

Those three words can be so powerful for someone who is considering suicide.

It feels overwhelming or scary to talk to someone about suicide and there are many myths that go along with conversations around suicide. Here are three of them:

Myth: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
Fact: Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. And talking about that pain with someone may help.

Myth: People who contemplate suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
Fact: People often give warning signs when they’re thinking of suicide. They want help. Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
Fact: You don’t give a suicidal person ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true-bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Jefferson Center also offers suicide resources, please see the suicide prevention section of our website. We also offer training throughout the year.

Grand gestures aren’t always needed when talking about suicide. Often it’s the little things, the smaller conversations that can make the biggest impact. Reach out to someone who may be struggling, you never know how grateful he or she could be because of one simple conversation.

Shannon Gwash is the Director of Wellness Services for Jefferson Center and is also a Certified Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach. She earned her MS from the University of Denver in Strategic Health Communications/Behavior Change. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the communication world and nearly three in parenting … which clearly makes her an expert there. To stay sane, she runs around Sloan’s Lake, hikes with her daughter, enjoys outdoor concerts and reads nerdy books.

Coping in Difficult Economic Times

Written by jeffersonc on December 28, 2022. Posted in Mental Health Matters, Uncategorized.

The financial crisis that our country is currently facing is troubling to us all. High gas and energy prices, groceries that seem to cost more than they did just last week, financial losses and declining home values can cause stress and anxiety. Managing stress during difficult times is important. It lets us go on with our lives, maintain a positive outlook, see opportunities, and appreciate what is important regardless of very real difficulties. Effectively managing stress helps us avoid depression or resorting to excessive use of alcohol or drugs, etc.

How do you know if you are stressed?

Sometimes stress can creep up on you without your being aware of it, until it accumulates and you suddenly feel overwhelmed, excessively angry, anxious or depressed. Some indicators to pay attention to:

problems sleeping
drinking or eating more
lack of motivation
feeling “discombobulated,” or more disorganized and anxious than usual
temper shorter than usual
impatience with family members, in the workplace or with friends.

Stress Reactions: When to Get Help

Some reactions are normal and others indicate trouble ahead. If you or someone in your family find prolonged signs of the following behaviors, it may be time to seek assistance.

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Suicide threats, either direct or indirect
Significant change in behavior
Severe drop in job or school performance
Relationship difficulties
Irrational or bizarre behavior
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Headaches or stomachaches with no physical cause
Grinding teeth
Eating or sleeping problems, nightmares
Depression or panic
Confusion
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Stress Busters

Regular exercise is the most important anti-stressor. Be active — take a walk, ride your bike, get out in the fresh air.
Prepare for morning the night before — put things you need to take with you by the door. Decide what you are going to wear and be sure it’s ready.
Make personal health a priority. Move, stretch, breathe! Eat healthy and nutritious meals. Keep regular meal times.
Connect with others…spend time with supportive friends and family.
Avoid excessive use of alcohol and caffeine.
Keep your sense of humor…laugh…sometimes it’s the best medicine during trying times.
Find a serene place of your own — even if it’s just a comfortable chair in a corner. Try meditation or yoga to help you relax.
Admit what is bothering you. Talk about it openly with someone you trust…a friend, family member, personal physician, leader in your faith community.
Remember that children may be worrying too…reassure them, spend time together. Hugs help!
Do something you enjoy every day.
You can’t change that stressful events happen but you can control how you respond to the events. Avoid overreacting. Focus on the positive. Do something about one small piece of a bigger problem.
Get enough sleep.
Pare down your to-do list, prioritize.
Spend time in nature…it’s a beautiful time of year in Colorado!