The Douglas County Commissioners distributed $100,000 to 11 local grant recipients, which will provide greater program opportunities for people of all ages in Douglas County with developmental disabilities.

"In order to provide the maximum amount of services for people with developmental disabilities, the County established a funding source to spur creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in the community," said Commissioner Melanie A. Worley. "These grants are a product of this funding source and provide services for individuals with disabilities who many not have these services available to them without this funding."

The following organizations received funding:

· $1,000 for the Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council to help fund the "Family Leadership Training Institute"

· $14,000 for the ARC of Arapahoe and Douglas for advocacy services and educational workshops for Douglas County families who have children with developmental disabilities

· $3,000 for Cresthill Middle School to expose students with developmental disabilities to a wide variety of community services (including hospitals, fire and police departments, government buildings and recreation centers)

· $8,000 for Douglas County Young Life to provide teens and young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop long-term, meaningful relationships and to experience adventure-based recreational activities by attending integrated summer and winter camps

· $10,000 for Easter Seals to provide (through the Discovery Club) recreation, socialization and skill development for children with developmental disabilities.

· $7,500 for Exceptional Kids, Inc. to provide funding for the expansion of the Exceptional Kids clubs through a new club location and the provision of scholarships

· $20,000 for the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) to support the staffing needs of the highly successful Therapeutic Recreation Program

· $10,500 for Kids Mobility Network, Inc. to support their program that helps uninsured or underinsured families acquire used durable medical equipment for their children with developmental disabilities

· $3,000 for Mountain Vista Middle School to help fund activities that will expose students with developmental disabilities to their communities

· $22,000 for New Day in Home Support and Respite Services for supervision in their after school and/or day programs

· $1,000 for the Sky Cliff Center for a Wii system that would provide recreational opportunities for the people with developmental disabilities who attend Sky Cliff's day program

"The great thing about these programs is the unique opportunities they bring to our County. The Easter Seals program began in Highlands Ranch in 2004 with the help of this mill levy and has expanded to other areas in Colorado such as north Denver, Lakewood and Boulder," commented Worley. "HRCA's Therapeutic Recreation Program is also the only program of this type available in Douglas County."

In 2001, voters approved a developmental disabilities mill levy and the commissioners determined that approximately 95 percent of the funds would go toward our County's Community Centered Board - Developmental Pathways. The remaining 5 percent would be retained to fund innovative and collaborative projects that assist County residents with developmental disabilities, such as the programs mentioned above. Last year, $112,436 was awarded to community organizations for the same type of programs and services for the developmentally disabled and a total of $598,171 has been awarded since 2002.