Che Frey (Our House): Facilitator
Janis Bickers (A Cognitive Connection): Note Taker

Three Guest Speakers:

1.     Ron Langford (Master Drive)
719.260.0999
rlangford@masterdrive.com
www.masterdrive.com

Master Drive started non-profit 28 years ago (previously The Driving Skills Institute)
Services not currently covered by Medicaid or Medicaid waiver
Background: race car driving, education and sports psychology to develop programs for individuals with I/DD, TBI and visually impairment
Works with approx. 200-250 students per year with ASD
Also works with car crash victims, PTSD, para-and quadriplegic people
Also teaching his techniques to OT’s and PT’s
Goal: assist those with disabilities to drive safely and have a quicker response/reaction time (physically and visually) to road, traffic, weather conditions
Locations: 1 in Colorado Springs, 2 in Denver, 1 in Fort Collins, 1 in Southern California.

2.    Melissa Anthony
   Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center, Elbert, CO
   719.495.3908
   Anthony@pptrc.org
   www.PPTRC.org
   Amy Wilson also on staff  – a PT providing Hippotherapy

   In business for 35 years
   Only accredited center through PATH International
   2 locations:  Latigo Trails Equestrian Center (full service) and Norris Penrose Event Center (only mental health services
   Partners with many local agencies (e.g.: UC Health)
   Offers Equine Assisted Therapy, Therapeutic Riding, and Hippotherapy  (borrows/transfers the horse’s motor output to the client’s motor input)
   Sensory input modulated by environment and position of rider on horse
   Hippotherapy: OT guided
   Therapeutic riding: used by OTs, PTs, Speech Therapists
   2016: 657 clients served: 40% children; 50% military
   96% reported improvement of symptoms
   50% reported decrease in anxiety
   Over 8463 hours of volunteer service
   Must be over 14 to volunteer: call Chester DeAngelis :719.495.3908
   Not currently covered under Medicaid waiver
   Call to see if your insurance might cover
   Air Warrior Courage Fund might cover services
   Scholarships, grants, donations available for low income families and military

3. Jacki Mueller
   City of Colorado Springs
   Therapeutic Recreation Assistant for Therapeutic Recreation Program
   719.385.6965
   jmueller1@springsgov.com
   www.coloradosprings.gov

   Offers services to youth and adults by age categories: I/DD and physical disabilities
   Programs:
   Summer Camp: 6 weeks long; June-July; ages 6-18
   Monthly Dance: COS Senior Center
   3 youth programs, including Discovery Day Camp
   and TEEN

Adults – 5 focus areas:
1. Social Enrichment
2. Recreation and Leisure
3. Outdoor Adventure
4.  Sports Fitness & Aquatics
5.  Arts and Culture
Work with D-20
Don’t compete with special Olympics; support them
Ideal size group: 8-12 people

BUSINESS:

Resource Fair:
*Handout available to publicize it
* Only 40 agencies signed up so far
* Calls being made to see if previous agencies want to sign up again
* Extending deadline to sign up: 4/1/17
* Someone will investigate why on-line sign up times out on people
Suggestion: do write up in a Word doc; then copy and paste
* Set-up: many people have signed up; appears covered
* Tear down/clean up:  if you can help with your area please do so at end of fair.  Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Harmonized Brain Center: Shelly Shepard
719.661.6422
Wine Tasting Fund Raiser:  March 31; 6:30 to 8:30pm
Downtown Fine Spirits and Wine, 103 S. Wahsatch Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Proceeds: Special Olympics Tennis Team
Parings will be done with the wines

A Cognitive Connection:  Carol Van Ness
719.464.7665
Now accepts Medicaid for services; still working on accepting Medicaid Waiver
Distributed flyer: group activities offered by ACC
Launching a new group for teens to help promote understanding, respect, and acceptance for people of all abilities, gifts and talents

City of Colorado Springs Recreation Dept.:  Melissa Anthony
FREE July 8 event at Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame  – 21st Annual Pikes Peak Special Rodeo

DuMyon Martial Arts:  Sterling Chase
Pot Luck celebration for his classes that graduated; everyone invited
Mar 19, 2017; 1-4 at MCM Elegante Hotel on N Academy
Cost: $5 per family; food sign ups online

Our House: Che Frey
Announced new program day director effective April 1, 2017; Congratulations!

NEXT MEETING: MAY 18,2017
Facilitator: Carol Van Ness (A Cognitive Connection)
Note taker: Delaina Massey (PPLD)