Policy/Legislative
CCDC takes an active role in addressing policy matters that affect people with disabilities. This includes working on state legislation. Our work depends on the dedication of CCDC members who volunteer to serve on boards and committees, volunteer to lobby at the legislature, and who take the time to contact policymakers about issues that affect people with disabilities. Read this page to learn more about CCDC's policy and legislative work, and to volunteer your own time.
Legislature
We have a team of volunteer lobbyists who work at the State Capitol making sure that our interests are represented. We provide training for volunteer lobbyists each year in December. The legislative session goes from January-until early May. We ask volunteer lobbyists to commit to at least a half day per week and assign you to regular committees. Use this link to learn more about the legislative process in Colorado. If you think you might want to be a volunteer lobbyist please contact our legislative liaison Sheila Hicks at 719-473-3228 or shicks@ccdconline.org
During the legislative session (January to May), CCDC has a database of bills that affect the disability community. Return here during the session to access the database.
2007 Legislative Session
The 2007 Legislative session is underway. Our Alert List provides CCDC members with the most up-t0-date information about the session, bills that affect people with disabilties, and action alerts for your advocacy to promote legislative actions that support people with disabilities in Colorado. You can use this link to access our 2007 Legislative Session page, including our bill chart.
Policy
We are currently active in promoting policy that affects people with disabilities in the areas of Medicaid, including Medicaid Long-Term Care (our homes not nursing homes) promoting the use of consumer directed care, reforming the durable medical equipment program, monitoring quality and addressing provider retaliation, eligibility issues and transportation issues. We are also active in policy matters affecting developmental disability services, mental health services (Medicaid and indigent care), and are working on a program to redesign primary care
We serve on a variety of committees that shape policy, some of these committees require an appointment by the Governor or some other formal body and some do not, but all are open and public meetings. We are always looking for people to volunteer to help represent the disability community at the statewide level. Our local groups also serve as coordinating groups to make sure that there is adequate representation at the local level on various boards and committees.
We currently have seats on the following boards and committees:
- Medical Services Board
- Mental Health Planning Council
- Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
- Developmental Disabilities Policy Advisory Group*
- Project Bloom in Aurora and Grand Junction
- Medicaid Re-design Committee (SB 128 group)
- Medicaid Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
- Mental Health Advocates Forum
- Consumer Directed Attendant Support Advisory Committee
- Systems Change Advisory Committee
- Medicaid Mental Health Advisory Committee
- ADA Watch
- National Cross-Disability Congress (new group)
- Networking Association of Colorado
Contact Julie Reiskin at jreiskin@ccdconline.org to receive information about getting involved in policymaking in Colorado.
