| For
more information... |
One
Broadway, Suite A-330
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-733-2867
Fax: 303-733-2862
General
Questions |
Rita
Blackwood, Executive Director
RBlackwood@COdisabilitytrust.org
Rita
served for 11 years on the Board of Directors of the Colorado
Fund for People with Disabilities before accepting the position
of Executive Director for the organization on June 6, 2005.
She
received her Master's Degree in Business Administration from Colorado
State University in 2004. Previously, she worked for 5 years as
Administrator and Executive Director of a large assisted living
facility and retirement campus. Her experience there included
operational management for 120 residents, with 30 employees and
a 1.5 million dollar annual budget. During this period she worked
with a membership structure and volunteer Board.
Rita
also has credentials as a Registered Nurse and a licensed Nursing
Home Administrator. She is the parent of a son with a disability.
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Dorothy
Grimes, Bookkeeper/Office Support
DGrimes@COdisabilitytrust.org
Dot
brings 30 years experience in bookkeeping to CFPD. She received
her accounting certificate at the Lincoln School of Commerce in
Lincoln, Nebraska. Before moving to Colorado, she
worked for several years as the accounting manager for a Decal
Manufacturer. Dot and her husband have done volunteer work
with youth and nursing home ministries in both Nebraska and Kansas.
Megan
Brand, Administrative Coordinator
MBrandcfpd@gmail.com
Megan
began work with CFPD in March, 2003. She graduated from the College
of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN with a degree in Social Work.
Megan has many years experience working with people with disabilities
and their families and supports. Megan began by working
with CFPD as a Liaison and then as the Director of Beneficiary
Services. Megan now works part-time in supervising the Contract
Care Managers throughout CO, providing office and Board support,
completing the intake process for new beneficiaries and assisting
with special projects as they arise.
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Kathleen
Kellams, Senior Liaison
KKellams@COdisabilitytrust.org
Kathleen
brings 15 years of experience working with people with disabilities
to CFPD. She has a degree in Rehabilitation Services from New
York University and held several positions in the field before
moving to South Florida. Kathleen’s true passion for the
profession became apparent when she worked as a Therapeutic Recreation
Specialist for Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation. In that
role, Kathleen worked with children, adults and seniors with developmental
and/or physical disabilities. Since her relocation to the Denver
area, Kathleen has worked at two residential service agencies
as a Direct Support Coordinator for people living in host homes.
In this role, Kathleen was responsible for developing, writing
and implementing skills and behavior programming, monitoring the
overall care of her consumers as well as insuring that their benefits
and monies were protected and used in their best interest. Kathleen
joins Megan with assisting beneficiaries in accessing their trust
funds in order to enhance the quality of their lives.
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Cindy
Fischer, Liaison
CFischer@COdisabilitytrust.org
Cindy
has been with CFPD for almost a year. She has approximately twenty
years in business in a variety of capacities from network technician
and sales to auto leasing and restaurant management. After coming
to the realization that she would like to spend the remainder
of her life doing work that was more meaningful, Cindy made a
mid-life career change and returned to college. She completed
a degree in Social Work with an emphasis in child welfare while
interning at Denver Human Services. In her last position, she
was a Foster Care Case Manager for an agency in Lakewood in which
she supervised foster homes, wrote treatment plans, advocated
for children, coordinated services, provided foster care training
and responded to family crisis.
In
related experience, Cindy was appointed to be a CASA (Court Appointed
Special Advocate) in Jefferson County for children experiencing
abuse and neglect. Cindy continues to work with these children
as a foster parent. Additionally, she has prior experience working
with those with developmental disabilities as an Employment Consultant
helping those with disabilities find and maintain employment.
Cindy is also a volunteer escort with ArtReach a non-profit designed
to bring the arts to disadvantaged populations.
When
working with our beneficiaries at CFPD, Cindy adds a personal
touch stemming from her desire to treat all people with care and
respect.
Board
of Directors
Dr.
Chuck Jackson, President
Greg Seal, Vice President
Stephanie
Brennan, Secretary
Marcy Carroll, Treasurer
Eric Solem, Director
Kent
Olsen, Director
Weslyn
Austin, Director
Aaron
Frishman, Director
Susie
Germany, Director
Hal
Wright , Director
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