District Partnership Agencies
St. Vrain Valley School District works closely with the following agencies to create a bridge from school based services and transition programming to adult services and programming. Parents are highly encouraged to apply for youth services with agencies so that as school based services fade, youth and adult services can complement and gradually take over services as a natural transition to adulthood.
The School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) is a collaboration initiative between the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and St. Vrain Valley School District, and is supported by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
The School to Work Alliance Program serves to support students age 14-24 in five core areas:
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Work Based Learning Experiences
- Workplace Readiness Training
- Instruction on Self-Advocacy
- Post-Secondary Counseling
SWAP is most appropriate for students with mild to moderate disabilities. St. Vrain recommends that students connect with SWAP beginning their sophomore or junior year of high school. Services for students with more moderate to severe disabilities are supported through the Devision of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
To get started contact your student’s current case manager or your SWAP specialist:
- Ryan Burch – Coordinator; [email protected] | Serving: EHS, FHS, MSS
- Kim Cinea – Senior Specialist; [email protected] | Serving: MHS, MSS, SHS
- Karla Williams – Specialist; [email protected] | Serving: NHS, SCHS, TPCA
- Heidi Fishler – Specialist; [email protected] | Serving: LHS, LyHS, NMHS, CBOCES
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) supports youth and adults with disabilities. It is recommended that St. Vrain Valley students who may need additional support in navigating career exploration, preparation, and on the job support apply for a Youth Services Program as soon as they are ready to start exploring the world of work.
DVR has both Youth and Adult Services. Youth services cases are for students age 14-21 who are still engaged in the public school system. St. Vrain Valley School District highly recommends that students who are considering district transition programming (LSACE) also have an active DVR case. If your student is exiting the public school system, you can work with your DVR counselor to move your youth case over to an adult services case.
Additional Youth Services information is linked below:
Contact: Christine Fluet – Pre-ETS Technician [email protected]
Envision serves Weld County and is currently one of twenty Community Centered Board which is a local area’s single point of entry into local, state, and federally funded programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Colorado. Our Services include coordination of Case Management, Early Intervention Services, Program Services, and Family Support Services.
Envision is appropriate for students who live in Weld County who may need more comprehensive services to live as independently as possible. Depending on what your student qualifies for, Envision can support families and students with community based related services (Speech, OT, PT etc.), Supported Living, Employment Services and support, and limited transportation.
Additional Resources:
Intake/Case Management Application
Parent Engagement Meeting Powerpoint Presentation
All Waivers & Family Support Services (FSS) Descriptions / Spanish
Contact: Lori Rusko 970-652-3838, [email protected]
Imagine! provides services designed to incorporate people with developmental, cognitive, and physical challenges into the fabric of their communities. Services include educational and therapeutic services, job training and placement, recreation and leisure activities, opportunities for community living, behavioral health services, technology solutions, and support for families. In addition to supporting people with developmental and cognitive disabilities, Imagine also has unique programming to support people with Autism.
Imagine! is appropriate for students who live in Boulder County who may need more comprehensive services to live as independently as possible. Depending on what your student qualifies for, Envision can support families and students with community based related services (Speech, OT, PT etc.), Supported Living, Employment Services and support, and transportation.
Contact: Jeff Johnson 303-457-5678, [email protected]
Featured Programs and Community Agencies
If you are between the ages of 16 and 24, attended St. Vrain Valley Schools and want support finding and developing a career path, the Workforce Young Adult Program might be a perfect fit for you!
With this program, you’ll have a Career Support Specialist working alongside you to identify your career goals, develop a career plan, connect you with resources to build your skills and confidence, and be your cheerleader and guide to get you where you want to go.
We may also be able to connect you with a paid internship experience to grow your work-place skills, confidence, and community connections.
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) office administers both the state’s Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for children with disabilities. Their website is a resource for teachers, administrators, and parents of students with exceptional educational needs due to disability, or learners who are culturally and/or linguistically diverse or have some other special need.
The Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC) is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in southeast Longmont, Colorado. Since 1980, CTRC has been devoted to serving children and adults with disabilities. As one of the oldest therapeutic riding centers in Colorado, and one of the largest in the nation, CTRC serves nearly 500 riders through our dynamic Equine Assisted Services and has an impressive work force of over 1,000 volunteers each year.
At CTRC we strive to nurture not only our participant’s physical health, but their mental and spiritual health as well. Our equine assisted services are far more than a mere pony ride. Through working with the horse as a partner and modality, our services produce tangible physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and educational benefits. We witness the profound life enhancing benefits of equine assisted services everyday, and invite you to experience them yourself and your loved ones.
The mission of Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association is to assure inclusion and enhance independence of people with Down syndrome. We will achieve this by providing education, resources and support in partnership with individuals, families, professionals, and the community.
Inclusive Higher Education Options
Application Season is Here!
Inclusive higher education programs are opening up their applications for the 2023-2024 school year, and we want to keep you in the loop. If you or your loved one with ID is interested in going to college next year, check out these important dates and links to get the application process started.
University of Northern Colorado – GOAL
- Applications open NOW until mid-February
- GOAL application page
University of Colorado Colorado Springs – Office of Inclusive Service (OIS)
- Application open NOW
- OIS application page
Arapahoe Community College – Elevate
- Application will open in January
- Elevate application page
- Information sessions will take place on Jan 5th @10am and January 10th @5:30pm. RSVP to [email protected] for more details.
For ongoing application updates and additional resources for families, check out IN!’s Application Information blog and Fall 2023 Application Details Flyer
Unique Opportunities
Additional Resources & Information
CARE Forward Colorado – Zero Cost Health Care Careers
CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Resources
CDE Adult and Community Agencies
Colorado Disability Benefits 101