Michele is new to The Arc of Adams County. She graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Communications. After working with the State of California for over 15 years, Michele moved to the Denver area to pursue her goal of working in a field with an emphasis of service to the community. She has relatives with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and feels honored and blessed to be working with advocates for disability awareness, fair treatment and educational equality.
Trainings offered by the Arc of Adams County staff, these trainings are scheduled by request only.
Self Advocacy Training
This a 4 week class ideal for self advocates to learn and refine their self-advocacy skills. Are you
new to using your self-advocacy skills? Want to increase your skills and confidence to speak up
for yourself? Want to get closer to reaching your goals? This class is for you! Ideal for
independent living programs, day programs, residential programs, advocacy groups. Groups of
10 or less recommended.
For more information contact Joshua Wann, jwann@arcadams.org
Community/Victim Advocacy/First Responder Training
This is a 2 hour in-person/virtual training ideal for professionals wanting to learn more about working with
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community. This training
promotes disability awareness, tips to improve interactions, increase positive outcomes, learn
about community resources, and get any questions asked and answered!
View First Responder PowerPoint here
View Autism Spectrum Disorder PowerPoint here
For more information contact Kari Easterly, keasterly@arcadams.org
Conflict Resolution
This is a 1.5 hour in person/virtual training is ideal for professional in the I/DD system who are struggling with
conflict management. Learn more about your own conflict management style, how to work
better in teams, and how to be more person centered in your approach. Ideal for groups of 10
or less.
View Conflict Resolution PowerPoint here
For more information, contact Kari Easterly at keasterly@arcadams.org
If I Were You and You were Me
This is a 2 hour in-person/virtual training specifically for direct care staff and focused on person centered approaches.
Learn more about how our attitudes and beliefs effect our own behavior, how our behavior
may be contributing to other’s behaviors, learn to be more person centered, and encourage
more positive experiences. Ideal for groups of 10 or less.
For More information, contact Keasterly@arcadams.org
Service and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
This is a training about Services and supports in the Developmental Disability System. This is an
hour training that is intended to be interactive so you can get all questions asked and
answered. Ideal for anyone but especially for transition aged individuals and parents.
For More information, contact Keasterly@arcadams.org
Other Helpful Trainings on YouTube/Podcasts from Other Professionals
How to Become your Own PASA
Self Determination
Supported Decision Making
This a 4 week class ideal for self advocates to learn and refine their self-advocacy skills. Are you
new to using your self-advocacy skills? Want to increase your skills and confidence to speak up
for yourself? Want to get closer to reaching your goals? This class is for you! Ideal for
independent living programs, day programs, residential programs, advocacy groups. Groups of
10 or less recommended.
Contact Joshua Wann if interested (720) 634-6888 or jwann@arcadams.org
Kari graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology. Post college, she immediately started working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and has worked in MN, IL, and South Dakota prior to coming to Colorado in 1997. She started working at the Arc of Adams County in 2000 as an Adult Advocate and moved into the role of Assistant Executive Director in 2021. As an Adult Advocate, she provided individual advocacy, worked closely with stakeholder groups regarding systemic advocacy, developed training to community members regarding disability awareness, and screened all adult advocacy requests. As the Assistant Executive Director, she provides oversight of the individual advocacy program, provides leadership to staff in their advocacy efforts, provides leadership regarding systemic advocacy provided by the advocacy team, and focuses on the agency’s community education and training goals. When asked what she loves most about working at the Arc of Adams County, she says it is without a doubt the Board’s and staff’s commitment to providing quality individual advocacy supports.
The Arc in Adams County as well as all Arc Chapters in Colorado have always been and will continue to be civil and human rights organizations. We are pained and heartbroken by the acts of violence and racial injustice impacting our black and brown neighbors, friends and community. What happened to George Floyd, Ahmed Aubrey, and Breonna Taylor as well as the many others, is abhorrent and unacceptable. The Arc stands in solidarity with communities of color and victims of police brutality, those with disabilities and those without. We recognize the importance of listening to and hearing individuals who have experienced horrific injustices, and we commit ourselves to furthering our work as a civil and human rights organization. All people, without exception, should be able to access their community without fear. All people, without exception, should be able to engage in everyday activities without being policed. The disability rights movement is grounded on freedom and independence – just as racial equality, these principles are civil and human rights. We stand for the rights of all people to live, work, learn, love, and play without fear.
El Arc del Condado Adams, así como las otras sucursales del Arc en Colorado, siempre han sido y seguirán siendo organizaciones que defienden los derechos humanos y civiles de las personas. Estamos profundamente dolidos y desconsolados por los actos de violencia e injusticia racial que afectan a nuestros vecinos y amigos de la comunidad de personas de color. Lo que le sucedió a George Floyd, Ahmed Aubrey y Breonna Taylor, así como a muchos otros, es aborrecible e inaceptable. El Arc se solidariza con nuestras comunidades de color y con las víctimas de brutalidad policial, personas con discapacidades o no. Reconocemos la importancia de escuchar a las personas que han sufrido injusticias horribles, y nos comprometemos a continuar y expandir nuestro trabajo como organización civil y de derechos humanos. Todas las personas, sin excepción, deberían tener libre acceso a su comunidad sin sentir ningún temor. Todas las personas, sin excepción, deberían participar en sus actividades cotidianas sin sentirse que están siendo constantemente vigiladas. El movimiento por los derechos de las personas con discapacidades tiene como bases principales la libertad y la independencia; al igual que la igualdad racial, estos principios son derechos humanos y civiles. Defendemos los derechos de todas las personas a vivir, trabajar, aprender, amar y jugar sin miedo.
Paula started her advocacy efforts with The Arc of Adams County in 1998. She has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Psychology and a master’s degree in City Planning both from the University of Texas. Her professional life has been a combination of social work, education and health care. Paula is grateful for the vast learning opportunities she has experienced working with families and other professionals. She values basic human and civil rights for all; no matter the gifts or challenges we each possess.
Kristian began working at The Arc of Adams County in 2017. She is a graduate from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. The Arc has shed light on the injustices and inequalities individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities face daily. Although, she does not provide direct advocacy, she feels there is a vital role each member of society must play to ensure everyone can live an equal and opportune life. There is always room in our hearts for kindness when you realize everyone is deserving of happiness.
Since 1985 Linda has been the Executive Director at the Arc of Adams County. In the early 1960s she learned alongside peers with disabilities in elementary school. Linda’s Arc journey started as a young teenager in a Youth Arc. Volunteering at Summer Camp for children with IDD, being a Citizen Advocate for a man living in an institution and helping to remodel the first group home in her community. Those years created a lasting impact on her commitment to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has a BA in Social Work and her professional career prior to Arc Advocacy was case management and family support in public schools, institutions and community-based services.
Most of her work is systemic, policy and legislative advocacy. Connections with adults and families who are impacted by services or a lack of services is critical to driving policy. Any opportunity to assure that children and adults can live, learn, work, play and be accepted in their communities is worth the energy to get there.
For all people, regardless of their abilities or challenges, having a choice is essential to our wellbeing. Knowing there is someone who supports you to make decisions is important. The Arc offers the flexibility and strength to make a difference in people’s lives. Access to independent advocacy is a rare opportunity for many children and adults with IDD.
Jeannine has been a Child and Family advocate with The Arc of Adams County since 1995. Her background is in Human Services and she has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo. Her passion comes from knowing that all people are of equal value and entitled to the same rights and opportunities. She often shares how grateful she is to have a career that is so aligned with her personal beliefs.
