Mountain Valley Developmental Services (MVDS), now in its 51st year, began in 1973 when a group of mothers of children with disabilities wanted to help their children acquire additional skills before entering public schools. As they started enlisting therapists to work with the children and a coordinator who secured grant funding, they formally organized the Happy Times Preschool.
Sara Sims, MVDS’ executive director, and her administrative team recently met with The Sopris Sun at their offices at 700 Mount Sopris Drive in Glenwood Springs to discuss MVDS’s mission to support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Eagle, Garfield, Lake and Pitkin counties.
“Before the early 1970s, physicians advised new mothers and fathers that they needed to have their child raised in an institutional setting,” stated Sims. “This was before we had organized special education preschools in this area. Our origins were concerned parents who wanted to give their children a step up.”
Lisa Skoog, assistant director of day services, supervises day programs in Glenwood Springs and Silt.
Skoog oversees clients working in the community and Community Connections, a program that “gets the clients out into the community doing fun activities, like horseback riding or rock climbing or skiing.”
John Klausz, director of adult services, works alongside Skoog overseeing both day and residential services. MVDS manages properties where clients reside, from Glenwood Springs to Battlement Mesa. Some homes accommodate up to seven individuals, while other apartments owned by MVDS may house just one person. Additionally, they provide residential services to individuals who have their own housing.
“Our mission is to be part of the community. We’re your next-door neighbors. The folks we support need a little extra help to live the life they want in a community they want to live in,” Klausz explained.
Wherever a job opportunity aligns with an individual’s interests, MVDS will advocate for them and assist to secure the position. In fostering independence and self-reliance, the goal is that clients are active community members. For adult services, MVDS supports 125 individuals aged 18 and above, with their oldest client being 78 years old.
The transportation needs of clients factor in a fleet of approximately 24 vehicles, ranging from small electric cars to larger vans and minibuses with ramps and lift systems.
Case management changes
Brent Basham, director of case management, coordinates meetings with families and clients to assist them in selecting service providers. MVDS has conducted its own case management since the early 1980s, but that’s about to change.
A 2014 federal law aimed at conflict-free case management (CFCM), with additional guidelines mandated by two state bills in 2017 and 2021, will take effect on July 1. As a result, Northwest Colorado Options (under the umbrella of the Garfield County Department of Human Services) will assume the role of case management for MVDS clients.
“CFCM prohibits the delivery of case management support and home and community based direct services by the same agency or entity,” reads the the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing website.
This redesign will significantly alter MVDS’s operational approach and, as Sims pointed out, communication is critical. “We want to make sure everyone knows what’s happening,” she said.
Greenhouse cultivates jobs
MVDS’ two greenhouses (one currently under construction) are located behind the administrative offices and are managed by Hollis Vanderlinden.
Those working in the greenhouse are paid at Colorado’s minimum wage of $14.42 per hour. “It allows our clients to get some work experience, and on a day like today [when the team was coloring Easter eggs] people get to hang out in the greenhouse,” Vanderlinden said.
They grow annual and perennial bedding plants, which are for sale to the public whenever there’s someone at the greenhouse.
Currently, with the plants popping their colors, the atmosphere is invigorating. “So we let everybody spend time here to appreciate the plants,” they shared.
Mountain Valley Weavers studio
Melissa DeHaan, who has been working with MVDS since 2013, oversees a group of MVDS members who have paid jobs as loom weavers.
The Mountain Valley Weavers studio is located at 209 Eighth Street in Glenwood Springs, upstairs from the Bleu Door boutique.
With its 23 table looms, the workspace is where MVDS weavers work Monday through Wednesday.
Beginners learn loom setup, which can take eight to 10 hours, and the art of weaving. “We have a plethora of patterns, so there’s a never-ending supply of ideas. We don’t replicate many patterns to keep people motivated, and the work is not boring,” DeHaan shared.
A local seamstress, Cynthia Worthington, takes the woven fabric and makes hand towels, tote bags, blankets, ponchos and more. The one-of-a-kind handwoven artisan goods are for sale at the shop with tags identifying the weaver’s first name.
One of the shop’s more prolific weavers is Tyler, who has been weaving for 24 years. “He wants to come to work every day because it makes him so happy,” Skoog shared.
“The other day, a woman who was wearing a shawl that Tyler made came in to show him that she was wearing his shawl. People really appreciate their work, which is wonderful,” DeHaan concluded.
MVDS is currently seeking volunteers for the greenhouse and weavers studio. If you’re interested, call 970-945-2306. They are also hiring caregivers. More information can be found at www.mtnvalley.org