Programs & Services:
Recreational Services
The Recreation Division provides innovative and exciting recreational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in Jefferson, Clear Creek and Summit Counties.
The Recreation Division was established by the DDRC board of directors in the 1960s. The division has grown from one staff member at its inception to include one recreation manager, 4 full time recreation specialists, two community access specialists, a secretary, and a building maintenance employee.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide high quality, innovative, individualized and inclusive recreational programs. A continuum of leisure services is offered which range from highly structured programs to integrated or mainstreamed opportunities.
Our Goals
- The Recreation division will provide opportunities for each individual to maximize potential, increase independence, improve self-esteem and decision making.
- Help individuals become familiar with the community resources, meet new people, develop friendships or reunite with past friends.
- The individuals will learn new skills to enhance their quality of life
Individuals have their choice of a variety of activities i.e., classes, tours, Special Olympics, sports, senior club, crafts and numerous community experiences. Activities are offered at various times of the day to accommodate individuals’ varied schedules.
Program Descriptions
Daytime Leisure Awareness (DLA)
Individuals who work evening and weekends find this program beneficial. Four activities are scheduled each month. Activities include dining out, volunteering, fitness, sports, classes and a variety of community experiences.
Senior Program
The special needs of individuals 50 years of age or older with developmental disabilities are emphasized in this program. Participants learn about existing senior programs in their communities and various ways to enjoy their leisure time. They may choose from swimming, exercise classes, bowling, concerts, plays, movies, sporting events, birthday celebrations and other social functions.
Date Night Activities
Enhancing the development of socialization skills, interpersonal communication and appropriate behavior within a “date” setting are goals of this program. When selecting activities, the main focus is on enjoyment and entertainment with a special friend in a supervised setting.
Special Olympics
This world acclaimed program provides year-around training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type activities. It’s unique in that athletes compete according to ability, age, gender and age. The DDRC Recreation Division offers the following competitive opportunities; bowling, basketball, alpine skiing, aquatics, volleyball, softball, bocce ball and golf.
The Special Olympics unified sports program is another option and consists of five team sports with each competing team having equal number of athletes with developmental disabilities and athletes without disabilities.
Sports/Games/Classes
Many non-competive sports and classes are available. These include cycling, golf, bocce ball, low impact exercise and aquatics. Outdoor activities such as camping, horseback riding, fishing, picnics, hiking, hay rides and gardening are available. Individuals preferring less strenuous choices may select arts and crafts, table games, bingo, observing sports events and concerts.
Community Experiences
Educational and cultural events are the highlights of the field trips planned by DDRC recreation staff. Traditional options are visits to pumpkin farms, Parade of Lights, the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, Elitch Gardens and special events such as plays, concerts and artistic performances. In addition, artists perform at the Walters Center or teach specific artistic workshops. Trips to popular vacation spots, both in and out of Colorado are available. Seeing new sights, meeting people and enjoying the interaction with peers make traveling an exciting experience.
Walking Club
A walking club consisting of consumers, parents and family members participate once a month in Community benefit walks. This provides individuals an opportunity to give something back to the community and also benefit from exercise as well.
Warm Water Therapy Pool
The warm water therapy pool located at Margaret Walters Center features 92 degree water, pool depth of 0 to 4’6”, a walkway with rail, a hydraulic lift and easily accessible dressing rooms with lockers. The benefits of warm water therapy include increased joint and muscle flexibility, increased muscle strength, relaxation, increased balance and coordination, increased endurance and increased circulation. Individuals and organizations may purchase swimming services from the DDRC Recreation Division.
TGIF
A Friday educational and recreational program operating from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with full and half day programming is available. The last Friday of the month is a short programming day with the consumers eating out and then going home at 1:30 p.m. Individuals may participate weekly and biweekly. Drop in is acceptable if prior arrangements are made with the recreation manager. The program is based at the Walters Center 12665 W. 52nd Ave.; Arvada, CO. Limited transportation is available. This program is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities age 18 and up. Individuals must possess the necessary skills to participate successfully in small groups and community based activities. Since this program is a community based program, individuals must be able to care for their personal needs with limited assistances. The DDRC recreation is not staffed to handle one on one assistance in this program.
Community Access Program
Since 2004, the Step Community Access Program has been providing access to the community for individuals residing in DDRC group homes and approved service agencies group homes. Through the Step program individuals can discover new interests, talents, and abilities, or have fun participating in old favorites. Individual may choose activities that enhance an appropriate lifestyle, reinforce skill development and increase knowledge of community options. Classes, tours, travel, senior programs, daytime leisure activities, date night, Special Olympics, and many other community experiences are just a few of the choices available.
Enrollment Protocol for all DDRC recreation services:
- A recreation specialist will attend IHP meeting if requested by a individual’s family member or resource coordinator. Individuals not receiving services from DDRC may purchase DDRC services hours.
- Upon receipt of a referral a recreation specialist will be assigned to the individual
- The recreation specialist will do a home visit, meet with individual at the DDRC recreation office or conduct a phone interview within10 days of receiving the referral.
- The recreation specialist will be responsible for obtaining all the pertinent information to enable the individual to participate in the recreation program successfully. After all the information is received the agreed upon purchase plan will be implemented and a recreation brochure will be sent to the individual.
- The recreation division will monitor hourly utilization on a monthly basis. The individual, parents and providers will be notified when more service hours need to be purchased. The individual, parent or provider must maintain recreation service hours to participate
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the costs for your services?
A fee schedule may be obtained by contacting the Recreation Division at the Walters Center. (See contact information).
2. How do I pay for services?
DDRC recreation service fees may be funded with SLS funds or private pay. Individuals are responsible for the cost of the specific recreation activities fees.
3. How do I get a DDRC recreation brochure?
Before an individual may receive a DDRC recreation brochure he/she must complete the enrollment process as described above and purchase DDRC recreation service fee plan.
4. What needs to be done before a new individual may register for an activity?
A new consumer must have either SLS funds allocated to the DDRC recreation program or pay for services privately. An enrollment must also be completed.
5. What is the earliest/latest a individual may register for an activity?
Registration must be completed by the dated stated on the DDRC monthly recreation brochure. Typically, the enrollment deadline is the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
6. May I get a refund if I cancel an activity?
If an activity is cancelled or fills before registration is received, a consumer may be credited for the activity or receive a refund if requested.
7. What is the staff to consumer ratio?
Staff to consumer ratio is determined by the activity and the number of consumers registered. The safety of the individual is always considered when selecting and staffing an activity. In most instances the staff to consumer ratio is 1 to 4 or 2 to 10-12. If an activity requires more supervision more supervision is provided.
8. Is transportation provided?
Transportation is provided at Central, South or North locations. Occasionally, transportation is not provided and individuals must meet at the activity location.
Testimonials
The overall success of the DDRC Recreation program is evidenced by the following exerpts taken letters sent by parents or guardians
“Our son has been involved with DDRC Recreation Division since 1989. He has always enjoyed the variety of activities provided by the division. He has been able to develop “friendships” with the staff. The staff and the programs provide and extreme service to our son.”
As a parent whose family moved to Las Vegas from Colorado after receiving services here writes: “I wish we were still under your wing. There was a great sense of security and consistency for our son and for us in the programs there. It has not been an easy transition! Recreation services are very limited. ….what a good program you have. We are missing it terribly!”
Throughout the past years, we have observed the growth, independence and confidence of the consumers as they participate in recreational activities and skill developmental. This adds to the achievement of a better life, self esteem, a better or improved job and more independence.
Contact information:
DDRC Recreation
Walters Center
12665 W. 52nd Ave.
Arvada, CO 80002
Phone: 303-420-7385
Fax: 303-420-8467
DDRC Maximum Rate Sheet
For questions on the rate sheet, please contact Diana Patty
