As a result of the 2001 voter-approved Douglas County Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy, more than $4.2 million has now been awarded to organizations delivering local services to support residents with developmental disabilities and their families, including $300,000 awarded in 2019.
With a focus on better meeting the needs of residents with developmental disabilities, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners recently approved grant awards to 17 local municipalities and nonprofit programs.
“The depth and breadth of partners supporting and caring for persons with developmental disabilities in Douglas County is vividly illustrated in this year’s list of grant recipients,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, who also represents the Board of County Commissioners on the Developmental Pathways Board of Directors. “I am grateful these citizen-approved funds are able to bring much-needed services to our community.”
Grants typically range between $1,000 and $25,000 and are awarded to projects and services that demonstrate innovative and collaborative efforts, as well as best practice in serving those with developmental disabilities. This year grants were awarded in the areas of life in common, employment and recreation/leisure.
The Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy Advisory Council reviewed the grant applications for 2019 and recommended 17 organizations receive funds. Grant recipients include continuing grantees Broken Tree Community Church, Castle Rock Recreation Program, Continuum of Colorado, Easter Seals, Highlands Ranch Community Association, HighPointe Services, Lone Tree Arts Center, Parker Recreation Program, Promise Ranch, Sky Cliff Center, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, Special Olympics and Wellspring Community as well as four first-time awardees, Financial Health Institute, Jaspie’s Journey, Paths2Possibilities and Teaching Autism Community Trades. View the complete list of 2019 applications.
The County distributes 94.5% of the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy funds to the County’s community-centered board, Developmental Pathways, while the remaining 5.5 % percent is set aside for the Grant Program.
For more information about the Douglas County Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy Grant program and specific information about program awards, click here.