This page contains links to resources to help with the transition out of Pre-school and into Kindergarten and throughout their school-age years. It is also highly recommended to look through the other resources on this page as they may help you with this stage of your child’s development. For more specific questions that may not be answered by resources on this page, consider contacting the Colorado genetic navigator at Coloradogenetic@gmail.com

Updating Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) for K-12 and Registering for Kindergarten

Explore these resources if: 

  • You have questions regarding the transition out of preschool and into kindergarten 
  • You need information regarding the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • You need a Colorado State approved form (intended to serve as guidance in the development of an IEP)
  • You need information and support regarding graduation guidelines for students with IEP’s

Transitions to Kindergarten Resources | CDE

Resources – Individualized Education Program (IEP) | CDE

Colorado IEP Forms | CDE

2020 Colorado Academic Standards – Family and Community Guides

Graduation Guidelines – Students with Disabilities and IEPS | CDE

If you have not done so already, please consider exploring and completing the following items:

Social Security Administration (SSI/SSDI)

Contact if: 

  • You need to apply for disability benefits 
  • You need to manage your social security benefits 
  • For information regarding general SSI benefits and regulations 

The SSI/SSDI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income resources.

How to tell if your child is eligible for disability benefits

US Social Security Administration Website

English site

Spanish site

English list of benefits for children with disabilities

Medicaid Application (Entitlement & Non-Entitlement Programs)

Contact if: 

  • You need to apply for Colorado Medicaid programs 
  • You need to contact your county Department of Human Services to request support
  • You have questions about what services are available for your child

Entitlement programs are government programs that guarantee certain benefits to a particular group.

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Application for Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus

Colorado Department of Human Services

Contact your county human services department

Entitlement programs

Colorado PEAK Benefit Information

Colorado PEAK Log-In or Apply for Benefits

Benefit Finder

Overview of Premium Assistance/Reimbursement Programs

State Health Access Data Assistance Center

Caregiver Support Site

Adult Financial Programs | Colorado Department of Human Services

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Colorado Department of Human Services

Non-entitlement Services (residential or community living supports, employment supports, day or vocational supports, habilitation, transportation services, family support, assistive technology (AT), peer support, and mentors)

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) | Department of Local Affairs

Find Your Parent Center | Center for Parent Information and Resources

Community Center Board (CCB) or Single Entry Point (SEP)

Contact if: 

  • You need to find your Community Center Board for support
  • You need to contact Single Entry Point Agency to apply for benefits and access to resources 
  • You need to apply for a Medicaid waiver based on your child’s physical or developmental disability

Medicaid Waivers provide access to federal and state programs and health benefits for individuals who meet eligibility requirements but waive some requirements required by traditional Medicaid.

Find your local Community Center Board (waivers, FSBT, Mill Levy) or Single Entry Point (waivers) to apply for waivers, grants (FSBT), and other funding (Mill Levy)

Community Centered Boards | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Single Entry Point Agencies | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Waivers for Children

Programs for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities

Colorado Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

Colorado – Children’s Medicaid Waiver Program

Choosing an HCBS Waiver

Children’s Habilitation and Residential Program (CHRP)-Deskguide-May 2020

Find a genetics provider

Contact if: 

  • You are in need of assistance to find a genetic clinic near you 

Find a Clinic – Mountain States Genetics

Children’s Hospital Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus

13123 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045
Main Hospital: 720-777-1234
Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Diseases: 303-724-2370
Special Care Clinic: 720-777-6739
Developmental Pediatrics: 720-777-6630

Wills, Letters of Intent (LOI), and life course planning resources

Explore these resources if: 

  • You need information regarding end-of-life planning to ensure your child is protected and cared for in your absence
  • You are looking for programs/assistance in setting up trust funds for your child (Important if your child has access to government programs which may have income requirements. For example: In the event of both parents passing, your life insurance payment to your child may disqualify them from programs unless it is placed in a protected trust).

Advanced Care Planning and Living Will 

Will and testament

PLAN, Inc : Planned Lifetime Assistance Network

SibShops®

Sibling Leadership Network (SLN)

Academy of Special Needs Planners

Special Needs Alliance

Charting the Life Course

The Arc- The Arc | For People With Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Neurology Transition of Medical Care Toolkit

Neurology Transition of Medical Care Toolkit Spanish

Financial planning

Explore these resources if: 

  • You need support to set up a special needs trust or ABLE account
  • You are looking for a qualified financial planner or attorney

Special Needs Trust information

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

The American College of Financial Services for a Chartered Special Needs Consultant®- The American College of Financial Services

The Academy of Special Needs Planners (for an attorney or financial planner)

The Special Needs Alliance (for an attorney)

The Financial Planning Association (for a financial planner)

Learn What to Expect from a Financial Professional

Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities

Research tools to check broker Background and Experience

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Investment Advisor Public Disclosure

ColoradoABLE Financial Saving Assistance

Colorado Able Website

TheArc Center for Future Planning

Resources for Financial Planning

ABLE Account Guide

How to Save Money

Insurance (health, property, disability, long-term care, life)

Explore these resources if: 

  • You need information regarding types of insurance and its benefits
  • You need to contact the Commissioner of Colorado’s Division of Insurance
  • You need to file a complaint with the Commissioner regarding an insurance company or agent

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Additional Resources

Below you will find a number of different links to resources that may help in navigating the 5 year to 21 year old time period:

Colorado Genetics Navigator emailColoradogenetic@gmail.com

Colorado Genetic Connections Facebook Group

Mountain States Regional Genetics Network (MSRGN) Home

MSRGN Colorado State Team Page

MSRGN Facebook

MSRGN Twitter

Red Flags 4 Genetics Handout (English)

Red Flags 4 Genetics Handout (Spanish)

Early Childhood Milestones

Contact if: 

  • You have concerns regarding your child’s development (speech, physical, fine motor, etc)
  • You need to know if your child’s development is where is should be for their age
  • You need suggestions on how to help work on your child’s development at home

CDC Learn the Signs, Act Early

ColoradoABCD – Assuring Better Child Health

CDC Milestone Tracker App

ECPC Home | The Early Childhood Personnel Center

Legal

Contact if: 

  • You need to understand the different options for legal support to care for an adult child with a disability
  • You need to begin the process for legal support to care for an adult child with a disability

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

Disability Law Colorado – English

Disability Law Colorado – Spanish

National Disability Rights Network – P&A – CAP | NDRN

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates – COPAA

Assistive Technology

Contact if: 

  • You need support finding or acquiring assistive technology for your child with a disability
  • You need access to assistive technology to help your child with a disability lead a more independent life

Assistive Technology is an item, piece of equipment, software program, or product that is used to increase, maintain or improve the daily living circumstances with a person with a disability.

Assistive Technology Center AT3 – AT3 Center

Assistive Technology Program of Colorado

State Wide Assistive Technology Augmentative & Alternative

Equipment

Explore these resources if: 

  • Your child needs a wheelchair or other support equipment to aid in daily living
  • You need help finding fun, safe toys for your child 
  • You are in need of special equipment that will adapt to your child’s needs  

Kids Mobility Network

Santa’s Little Hackers – Toy drive and augmentations

Recreation & Leisure

Explore these resources if: 

  • You want your child to participate in fun, safe activities regardless of their disability
  • You need programs/sports aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities 

Wilderness on Wheels

Disabled Sports USA – Move United

Colorado Special Olympics

Miracle League Metro Denver | Colorado | Sports Made Possible

TOPSoccer Program Overview — CSA

iCan Bike Hosts – iCan Shine, Inc.

National Sports Center for the Disabled

Colorado Discover Ability

Colorado Adaptive Adventures

Behavioral and Mental Health Colorado ID & Disability Placard

Contact if: 

  • You need to know what supporting documents are needed to obtain a Colorado state ID
  • You need to make an appointment at your local DMV
  • You would like to know the different options of identification available in Colorado
  • You would like to obtain a disability placard

I’m a Driver/Passenger with Disabilities | Department of Revenue

Childcare/Respite/Personal Assistance Services Transportation Education

Explore these resources if: 

  • You need to understand your rights in regard to obtaining services through your local school district
  • You need support/resources on how to set up a health plan, 504 or IEP for your child
  • You need an agency or attorney to assist in resolving an issue with your child’s education

Colorado Department of Educations- Parents and Families of a child with a Disability

The ARC Colorado – Family Resources

US Department of Education

US Department of Education – IDEA site

Wrights Law

School Nursing and Health – Health Conditions & Care Plans | CDE

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Parent, School & Community Liaison- David Ramer, Program Assistant
Phone: (303) 866-6943 ramer_d@cde.state.co.us

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) | CDE

Find Your Special Education Director in Colorado | CDE

Office of Special Education | CDE

Developing Your Child’s IEP 

10 Steps in the Special Education Process

Disability Law Colorado – English

Disability Law Colorado – Spanish

PEAK Parent Center

Colorado Dept. of Education – Home School Resources

Resource Packet for Families New to Education Services (Boulder Valley School District)

Dispute Resolution Guidance

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)

Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT)

Find Your Parent Center | Center for Parent Information and Resources

Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education

Colorado Department of Education Parent and Family resources

Genetic Education Materials for School Success

Colorado READ Act | CDE

Resources – Individualized Education Program (IEP) | CDE

Related Services | CDE

Colorado IEP Forms | CDE

Understood – Mission for Learning Differences and Disabilities

Emergency Preparedness