Developmental Pathways

At Developmental Pathways (DP), we pride ourselves on being driven by compassion, care, and a shared purpose to serve our community. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and we’re dedicated to helping them grow, thrive, and do what they love. Watch our “Business with Heart” video at https://bit.ly/4hsWEkh to hear what our amazing team has to say! If you are looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values flexibility, integrity, innovation, and partnership, you've come to the right place! Visit www.dpcolo.org/Careers to learn more and see open positions on our team.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at DP’s Fest-ABILITY 2025 in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)! We were thrilled to have shared the day with an estimated 300-400 attendees who came together to celebrate and connect. A huge shout-out to all our amazing local partners for thoughtfully curating activities that made the event so special: Arapahoe Library, Mane Mission, Performability, Fyzical, Worm Farm, PASCO, Access Gallery, Solace Pediatric Therapy, STAR Institute, Feel The Beat, Jewish Family Services, Rock the Stages, Abby Care, Neuability, Art from Ashes, Beam Plus, Pivot Homehealth, Wonder Stems, Affinity Ranch, Autism Community Store, Snappy Face Painting, The Third Place for Kids, Two By Two Petting Zoo, May we Help, Muay Tai Beyond Limits, Best Buddies, Enchanted Events by Gina, Brewability, Howdy Homemade, Waffleita, Dirt Coffee, and Savory Snackables. We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support to make this year’s celebration a success. A special thank you to Momentum Athletic Center for graciously hosting us! We can’t wait to bring our incredible community together again next year for another unforgettable DDAM celebration! #DDAM2025 [Video Description: Scenes from DP’s Fest-ABILITY 2025 at Momentum Gym set to an upbeat song. The video opens with the gym entrance, decorated with DP signage. Tables feature free giveaways, an ice cream stand, and arts and crafts. Kids and adults decorate birdhouses and create colorful art. A person pets a dog. The sensory break area includes a glowing centerpiece and cozy seating in a dimly lit tent. Children play in inflatable pools with sand and plastic balls. The space is full of activity—a selfie station, tables with interactive fun, and an inflatable obstacle course. A young girl plays an electronic drum set. A child climbs out of the obstacle course. Another rides an accessible bike. Attendees explore vendor tables and a petting zoo with playful baby goats.]

Exciting News! Developmental Pathways is thrilled to announce that Michelle Bauman has been promoted to Chief Program Officer (CPO), effective March 31, 2025! With 12 years of extensive program experience, Michelle has held several key positions at the organization, and her leadership has been instrumental in preparing teams for Case Management Redesign, driving operational workflow updates, and representing DP with state partners. In her new role, Michelle will provide executive-level operational leadership, programmatic vision, and strategic planning for Early Intervention (EI) and Long-Term Care Case Management (LTC CM) programs. Read more at https://bit.ly/4hWPHYF. Please join us in congratulating Michelle on this exciting and well-deserved promotion!

Today's the day: we're so excited to see you at Fest-ABILITY!

DP was proud to join local organizations and the Douglas County Commissioners in recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! It was an honor to stand alongside such incredible partners in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).   For over 20 years, Douglas County taxpayers have supported programs for the I/DD community through the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy, funded by a 2001 voter-approved property tax. More than 90% of these funds are distributed to Developmental Pathways, the County’s Community-Centered Board, to support services for individuals with I/DD in Douglas County. Read more at https://bit.ly/4hKR50c.

Thank you to Alliance (Colorado), JFK Partners - CU-AMC, and THE ARC OF COLORADO for hosting the 2025 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness Day Luncheon last week! It was a privilege for DP to take part in this meaningful event, honoring the I/DD community and those who support them. Together with our community, we engaged in important conversations about current disability-related legislation, strengthened partnerships, and celebrated the incredible work of Colorado's disability advocates, direct support professionals, case managers, and the broader I/DD community. These moments of connection and collaboration remind us of the shared commitment to creating a more inclusive future. You can watch a video of the event featuring the day's keynote speakers at https://bit.ly/4iJiwZf. Pictured is Matt VanAuken, DP Executive Director and CEO, with and advocate Rick Newell; Matt VanAuken and Tatum Heath, Executive Director of Horizons; Darcy Tibbles, DP Vice President of Community Affairs, with Tatum Heath, Madeline Landgren, and Lindsey Garey of Horizons; Rick Newell with his job coach, Dr. Cynthia Vannucci, and Christy Blakely of Colorado Family Voices.

Thank you to Momentum Athletic Center Gym for hosting DP’s upcoming Fest-ABILITY 2025: Accessibility Festival! We deeply appreciate your support for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) and commitment to our community. We look forward to celebrating together! Momentum is a family-focused gym dedicated to helping kids grow as athletes and individuals. Offering skilled coaching and values-based instruction, Momentum provides a wide range of classes, including gymnastics, cheer, tumbling, parkour, and competitive teams, across two Parker locations. In partnership with DP, they offer Extraordinary Athletes, a groundbreaking gymnastics program designed to empower children of all ability levels. This inclusive program has proven to foster confidence and growth in kids, including those with autism and other developmental challenges. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4kz808K. Join us on Sunday, March 30, at DP's Fest-ABILITY 2025: Accessibility Festival! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gVG7aQBh.

Meet Amanda – the Access Gallery Colorado artist who created our 2025 Developmental Disabilities Month (DDAM) logo! Amanda began drawing in kindergarten and discovered digital art in the 6th grade. She currently creates designs using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, preferring digital art for the control it gives over shapes, colors, and textures. When designing the festival-themed logo, she took inspiration from a pinwheel, like those at a county fair. The slight wave in the text mimics a banner or ribbon from big celebrations, and the two fonts highlight the fun of the event while emphasizing its inclusiveness. Amanda shared, "To me, inclusion and accessibility is simply being kind to those around you. Whether it is providing a wheelchair ramp or simply allowing someone more time to complete a task, I feel that by being inclusive, we are being kind to everyone. I think that everyone benefits from inclusiveness and accessibility, regardless of whether or not they are disabled. By accommodating those in need, we also make the lives of everyone else easier." Join us on Sunday, March 30, at DP's Fest-ABILITY 2025: Accessibility Festival! Learn more here at https://lnkd.in/gVG7aQBh.

Are you a dynamic leader passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Developmental Pathways (DP) is seeking an Associate Director of Case Management to oversee and enhance our case management services! Key responsibilities for this role include leading and supporting case management staff to ensure exceptional service delivery, assisting with strategic planning, developing systems that promote continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering collaborative relationships within the team and with the community. We offer many exciting benefits, including a hybrid work environment and generous paid time off! To learn more and apply, visit www.dpcolo.org/careers/.

Developmental Pathways (DP) is hiring a Communications Manager! Are you a creative thinker, strong writer, and great communicator? Do you excel at keeping operations smooth while driving goal-driven campaigns? If so, join our team! In this role, you’ll oversee communications workflows, streamline processes for efficiency, and create and execute impactful communication strategies. This is a great opportunity for a communications professional who loves managing people, processes, and projects and is passionate about advancing our mission. Ready to make an impact? Apply today at www.dpcolo.org/careers/.