Q My almost-3 year old child is in the Early Beginnings Program.  Must I re-apply for North Metro services now that he is no longer in the birth to 3 program?  

A No, your child can remain in North Metro services until age 6 as long as he continues to have developmental delays and is on an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in his preschool program.  You may also ask for him to become active in the Family Support Services Program (FSSP), if he needs private therapies (such as speech therapy) and your family needs financial assistance paying for these.

Q I understand that at age 6, my child’s eligibility for North Metro services must be re-determined. 

A You are correct about this. State of Colorado Rules and Regulations require re-determination of eligibility at that age.  The Adams County school districts  must test a child’s intelligence quotient (IQ) if he is in special education.  North Metro requests a release from a parent in order to obtain these test results from the child’s school.  These test results are reviewed by our Eligibility Committee, and a decision is made regarding continuing eligibility.

Q What IQ scores does a child need to continue to be eligible for North Metro services? 

A There are a variety of IQ tests used by school district personnel (usually psychologists).  These tests are often divided into 3 main categories: Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and Full Scale IQ which is a combination of the first two scores.  Some IQ test results give a clear picture of whether a child continues to be eligible or not for our services; other results may need additional information from a parent and/or the teacher who knows him best.  A Full Scale score closely on either side of 70 or below 70 may result in continuing eligibility.

Q When our family lived in another Colorado county and was served by another community centered board, we requested and were given a stipend to spend on particular services for our child.  Why are North Metro’s Family Support funds so limited? 

A There are a couple of reasons for this:  Adams County does not receive the amount of county monies that another county may receive.  Our Family Council made the decision to provide funding to help families pay for three main expenses:  therapies, especially for early elementary aged children; medical and dental expenses or co-pays related to the diagnoses of the child; and emergency respite care.  However, a parent should always call the Family Support Coordinator to discuss their child’s needs, even if these needs do not fit within our guidelines.  There may be other resources that can be tapped.

Q Why is it important for my child to be placed on the Adult Services waiting lists when he turns 14?  Or, if he has never been referred to North Metro, why the magic age of 14 for referral? 

A North Metro Adult Services  are available to our consumers beginning at age 18.  So, if your child is on these adult waiting lists at 14, it is more likely that he will have moved closer to the top of the waiting list by the time he is 18.

Q When my child is almost 14 and not on the North Metro waiting lists, should I ask his teacher either to refer him to North Metro or give me their phone number or a North Metro application for services to complete and send to this agency? 

A Yes!  This is very important!

Q Is it possible to “private pay” (using our personal income) to enroll my 21 year old in the Supported Living Services program so that he may attend one of your adult day programs?  I would also like to tour North Metro’s Day Program.  Is this possible? 

A Yes.  You should contact the North Metro Day Program Coordinator at 303/457-1001 to discuss this possibility.

Q If  our family moves to a different Adams County address, who should I call? 

A You should call the Resource Coordination Department at 303/252-7199 with this new information.

Q If our family moves to another Colorado county, how do I transfer my child’s records to the new community centered board? 

A You should call the Resource Coordination Department, giving your new address and requesting that your child’s records be copied and sent to the new agency.

Q How about if we move out-of-state? 

A Our Resource Coordination Department has information about other states’ developmental disability offices and one of us would be happy to share that information with you.  It is often helpful to families to contact the local Arc office as well.

Q If we move into Adams County do my son's adult waiting list dates transfer from one of the other Colorado Community Centered Boards to North Metro?

A Yes

Q I'm thinking about requesting legal guardianship of my daughter when she turns 18. What are the first steps I should take?

A In order to have a broad understanding of guardianship, North metro generally refers a parent to the Arc of Adams County's director, Linda Skaflen, (303)-428-0310.

Q My child, who is developmentally disabled, has been on a variety of mediations related to her mental illness. They don't seem to be working. Any suggestions?

A The Behavior Pharmacology Team evaluates people with developmental disabilities and provides suggestions. It is a free service. If you are interested in learning more about this team, you may call Roberta Mansfield at North Metro, (303)-252-7199.

Q Does the Supported Living Services program include day programming funds, and can my son's SLS plan include other services, such as payment for dental care?

A Yes to both questions.

Q I'm considering becoming a Host Home provider. Who do I call first?

A Call the North Metro Residential Program at (303)457-1001, X 518 for information.

Q How do I apply for a job working in North Metro's Day Program?

A You may call the Human Resources department at North Metro, (303)457-1001.

Q I'm looking for someone to care for my 30 year old daughter for a few days. Who should I call at North Metro?

A Contact the Family Support Coordinator in the Resource Coordination office, (303)252-7199.

Q Our son lives in California in a group home, and we have recently moved to Adams County. We would like to bring him to Colorado to be nearer to us. Is there a long residential waiting list?

A North metro has a decades-long residential waiting list due to lack of State and Federal funding. Are you able to private pay for his care?