$9,317 raised by 38 donors
6% complete
$150,000 Goal
Since 1973, the mission of Mountain Valley Developmental Services, Inc. has been to encourage and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) -- enhancing their ability to live, learn, and work in an independent and inclusive manner, and to educate the community about their contributions and capabilities. Community support, activities, and involvement are key elements to the success of our mission.
Mountain Valley Developmental Services' Adult Services programs provide those over 18 years with IDD life-long supports necessary to lead full and enriched lives. Residential services provide individually tailored programs that assist with the acquisition, improvement or retention of skills related to living freely in community. Employment and Vocational services strive to find community-inclusive work opportunities with realistic expectations and wages.
The MVDS Early Intervention program serves children ages 0-3 years at no cost who have demonstrated delays or diagnosed disabilities. This program works intimately with families to ensure their children are advancing as much as possible during the critical time between birth and age three. An Individualized Family Service Plan is created to identify family priorities, coordinate resources, and ensure entitlements while promoting the development of every child.
For over 50 years, MVDS has provided a core need and unduplicated person-centered human services in Garfield, Eagle, Lake, and Pitkin Counties by caring for and working with the developmentally disabled and delayed individuals, and their families, in these communities.
“Mountain Valley is the best place to live and work. I will never leave!!”
– Eric
“I really like living at Mountain Valley! I have friends and people who help me.”
– Suzy
“When I think about our Residential services, I think about one particular person who moved into one of our group homes after the decline and eventual passing of his mother. He had been involved with MVDS for decades, but had always lived at home with her. For this resident, moving to a new home, and relying on new people for the support and care he had only known from family was overwhelming. The staff at his new home took extraordinary steps to make him feel welcome; he was heard and understood, and they were there for him as he adjusted to his surroundings. He now is a vibrant member of MVDS community who works in the Greenhouse, and loves it! His assimilation to our programs is our mission in action. It is our staff at their best."
- John Klausz, Director of Adult Services
“Early Intervention has been amazing and we are so thankful for all the great therapists and help we have had. We can’t thank you enough for the joy and educational growth the services have provided to our child."
--Early Intervention parent
"Service Coordinators are integral to the Early Intervention program success. They are the main point of contact and work closely with a team of providers to ensure that the child and family's needs are being met. Service coordinators are oftentimes the first point of contact for a family that has just learned their child has a developmental disability or delay. The service coordinator acts as an advocate for the family so that their voices are heard. Recently, we had a family that reported feeling unsafe in their living situation. Their service coordinator worked with the school district where the family lives to secure a safe home for them. Without our service coordinators, the Early Intervention program would not run as smoothly and effectively as it is does everyday."
Sarah Brotherson, Director of Child and Family Services
The Mission of Mountain Valley Developmental Services (MVDS) is to encourage and support individuals with developmental disabilities, enhance their ability to live, learn, and work in an independent and inclusive manner, and to educate the community about their contributions and capabilities.
Mountain Valley Developmental Services was formed in 1973 by a group of parents and volunteers to provide educational and therapeutic services to Roaring Fork Valley preschool children with developmental disabilities. The first class consisted of 13 children in a donated room funded by private donations and staffed by one teacher and two part-time therapists. Within three years, an Infant Stimulation Program was initiated and day activities were begun for adults from the area.
In 1975, Mountain Valley was incorporated as a private non-profit (501)(c)(3) and designated as a Community Centered Board (CCB). In 1979, the program expanded, providing services for adults and children in Pitkin and Eagle Counties. The first residential group home also opened in 1979 and transportation programs within the Roaring Fork Valley were initiated.
Within the next few years, satellite centers were opened for preschool age children in Aspen, Rifle, and Vail. At this time, Lake County was added to our catchment area. Mountain Valley was now providing services to children, adults and families in Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Lake Counties (which is our current service area). In 1990, preschool programming moved to the public school system and Mountain Valley changed our Infant Stimulation model to the Early Intervention model for children ages zero to three.
Changes again occurred midway through 2024, when the case management and state funded programming separated from Mountain Valley.
Today, our service options continue to evolve, with the addition of paying families to be caregivers for their adult participant and conducting Early Intervention Evaluations. Mountain Valley supports close to 450 children and adults each year.
Organization name
Mountain Valley Developmental Services, Inc
other names
MVDS
1973
Tax id (EIN)
84-0687930
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
700 Mt. Sopris Dr.Garfield County, CO, US