Our Mission
Our mission is to work with governmental agencies and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote self-advocacy and the right to make informed choices for the tens of thousands of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities that we serve in Colorado.
Our Strategic Priorities
- Ensure real choice of case management through a strong process of informed choice and conflict of interest disclosure that does not arbitrarily prohibit those we serve from continuing to receive services from the Case Management Agency that has served them for years, or even for decades.
- Work with state and federal partners to allow additional flexibility to implement the CMS Conflict Free Case Management (CFCM) rule to avoid the disruption of care to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
- Work with our state and federal partners to promote funding levels for both direct services and case management, and regulatory environments that adequately support people receiving services and the agencies that provide those services.
- Offer a person centered and community centered approach to service delivery.
- To promote business practices and service models that are efficient and represent prudent management of public dollars.
OUR MEMBERS
Matt Van Auken
President
Matt brings more than 20 years of multi-unit and executive leadership and management experience to Developmental Pathways. He has a bachelor’s degree of Business Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management from Western Governors’ University. Matt currently is a Governor-appointed member and 2019 President of the Colorado State Board of Health, and he is a senate-appointed member of the Healthcare Policy and Financing’s Medicaid Provider Rates and Review Advisory Committee. Matt also serves as the President of the Colorado Coalition of Developmental Disabilities and is on the Executive Committee for the Alliance Association. Matt is a former chairperson for the El Paso County Human Services Advisory Committee, and former board member for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Matt is also an active participant in the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). Previously, he worked as the Director for Children, Youth and Families for Jefferson County Human Services, Vice President of Operations for Hard Rock Café, and Vice President of Operations for Olive Garden. Matt lives in Colorado Springs with his amazing wife and two beautiful children.
Sara Sims
Vice President
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Sara moved to Colorado and joined the family at Mountain Valley Developmental Services as an adult case manager in 1996. Sara worked in that capacity for 5 years and then moved into the position of Director of Child and Family Services. In the spring of 2015, she was promoted to the Associate Director. Sara became the Executive Director in July of 2018, a position she currently holds. Sara enjoys getting to know families whom the agency serves and does an amazing job of gently walking them through their daily celebrations and struggles. She likes spending time with individuals who receive services from MVDS and is eager to celebrate their accomplishments. Sara feels that the culture of Mountain Valley is an extension of her personal life: flexible, understanding, expectant, and persevering.
Robert Arnold
Secretary
Bob Arnold is the CEO of Starpoint and has served in that capacity for 4.5 years. Bob started working in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities system 44 years ago. His first job was as a bus driver and floor supervisor in a sheltered workshop. Bob has held many positions within the IDD system, including roles at Community Link, Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, Carmel Community Living (now Overture) and Developmental Pathways. During his work career Bob earned a Master of Public Administration (emphasis in nonprofit management) from the University of Colorado-Denver.
Beverly Winters
Treasurer
Beverly Winters brings over 25 years of nonprofit, human services, management and leadership experience to DDRC. She has served as Executive Director since 2014. She was recognized as an Extraordinary Woman of Jefferson County by the West Chamber in 2016. Some of the highlights in Beverly’s career have been developing DDRC’s case management services, the first Family Support Program and Council, DDRC’s behavioral health services and shaping the self-determination initiative. Beverly has served in many leadership roles including executive officer positions for the Colorado Alliance Association. She has served on Jefferson County’s Children’s Youth Leadership Commission, Health Care Policy and Financing Mental Health Advisory Board, Colorado’s Conflict-free Case-management task force, Jefferson County Infant/Toddler Interagency Council, CORE Services Commission, Adult Protection Advisory Committee and chaired a Jefferson County non-profit collaboration task force.
Tom Turner
Member at Large
Tom has been involved in providing services and supports to people with IDD in Colorado for over 40 years, having started his career as a Direct Support Professional, then serving as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator, a Case Manager, a Case Management Director, and then CCB Executive Director. He has been the Executive Director of Community Options, Inc. in Montrose since 1995. He carries a Bachelor’s in Social Work from CSU and a Masters in Educational Administration and Leadership from UNC. He has served on countless statewide committees and task groups, and was the president of the Colorado Association of Community Centered Boards (now Alliance) in 2000-2001.
OUR MEMBER COMMUNITY-CENTERED BOARDS
Englewood, CO 80112