WORKERS

group day programs now compared to before the pandemic, but Silva has heard from people who are struggling to nd openings.

“We are facing a workforce challenge that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my 20-plus career,” said Silva, who started her career as a caregiver for people with developmental disabilities.

Stay tuned for upcoming social media and radio ads that are part of a new campaign to draw people to the direct-care industry. e state Medicaid division is using federal coronavirus relief money for the marketing.

“I really believe pretty strongly that if we can get people in the door, they’re going to stay,” Silva said.

“ is is one of the coolest industries that’s out there. It’s just not well known to people.” e department also has designed $9.5 million in grant programs for specialized, career-advancement training for direct-care workers, who often have no education beyond high school.

Colorado now has 291 “specialized habilitation,” or day programs, up from 248 in 2020. It’s also increased “community connections,” which are programs that take people with disabilities into the community to ride the bus, grocery shop or visit a park. e search was daunting, and the programs were often so far away from their home near City Park that the drive was nearly an hour each way. Christine found one she thought was right for her son — but they quit after about a year because Wester started refusing to go, running around their front yard so his mother couldn’t catch him. ree years ago, they found Community Living Alternatives. Wester has learned skills that his mother didn’t even realize, including using his ngers to move a computer

Residential services — in which a person lives with a host home or in their own home with a caregiver — have also increased, now at 421 homes compared with 337 in 2020, according to data provided by Medicaid.

Wester, who has a rare genetic disorder and the intellectual ability of a preschooler, is on a Medicaid program that funds his day program. He received services through Denver Public Schools until age 21, and then his mother began searching for day programs so he could socialize with others and get out of the house.

Turn To The Colorado Sun For News Across The State

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and mouse.

“It was far away from home, but I don’t care,” Christine said while picking up Wester from the day program this month. “I do 44 miles in the car on the days James is here — 22 roundtrip, twice a day. And it’s worth every mile.” e rest of the week, Christine tries to keep her son busy. ey have memberships to the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Botanic Gardens. She also pays out of pocket for a respite care provider who comes for four hours on two days per week.

But on days Wester is headed to his day program, he gets so excited that he starts goo ng o in the car, putting his sunglasses on backward.

“He’s so safe and secure here, and happy,” Christine said. “He’s showing me, you know, ‘ is is really funny. You’re gonna laugh at me because I’m happy.’ It’s like, wow, he’s excited.”

‘How it all fell apart’ e day program Elliot had attended for nine years informed the family in September that it no education.

Glenn Junik, a Denver father of three boys, has been searching for a day program for his 30-year-old son Elliot for months.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for longer had enough sta . Elliot, who has a genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, has a tendency to run away, which means he needs one-on-one supervision.

“He has the heart and mind of a 4- or 5-year-old,” Junik said. “He is pure joy, pure love.” is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media. statewide news.

Junik, 67, who took an early retirement from the software industry to care for his son full time, has visited about eight programs since September, begging them to enroll Elliot. “I haven’t had a break since Sept. 1,” he said.

He would love to see Colorado lawmakers dramatically increase pay for caregivers, many of whom left for other jobs during the pandemic. Before COVID hit, Elliot attended the day program and had caregivers who came to their home. In-home care screeched to a stop as people isolated.

“ at’s how it all fell apart,” Junik said.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun. com.