Carmel’s Southern Region offers a variety of services to the individuals we serve, focusing on community based programs such as our School to Work Transition Program for high school students and our community based Day Program.  We have developed an excellent working relationship with the Division for Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to assist individuals with a variety of disabilities to find jobs in the community.  As in our other Carmel offices, we provide highly regarded Comprehensive services and Supported Living Services (SLS) through The Resource Exchange (TRE), our local Community Centered Board (CCB). 

The Transition Program is run by our Day Program.  Here, students from local high schools volunteer at a variety of sites where they learn on-the-job skills and receive personal coaching, along with transportation.  The goal is to prepare our young adults to enter the work world after graduation.  We currently have students from 5 different school districts in the Pikes Peak region, and are preparing to expand this program throughout the areas we serve.  Carmel has received special recognition awards from the school districts for this program.

Partnering with DVR, we work with individuals with a variety of disabilities, not just developmental.  In this program, individuals meet with a trained Employment Consultant to find an appropriate job match for the employer/employee.  This is accomplished by completing a comprehensive interview with the individual on interests and preferences.  We also perform situational assessments which allow the client to try out different job tasks which helps us determine employment possibilities and needed accommodations specific to that individual. 

In this region, The Arc has a unique role.  It is very actively involved on an individual basis with persons in services by holding legal guardianship or conservatorship, and by acting as advocates.  The Arc provides trainings and support groups to assist individuals to gain self-esteem and the ability to advocate for themselves; they also sponsor several social activities throughout the year.  Carmel works closely with The ARC, and maintains an excellent working relationship with their staff.  Our Southern Region has received awards from The Arc, including Provider of the Year in SLS and Day Program.

The Springs region holds two major social events each year which are attended by many people from the community as well as the Carmel “family.”  A local Elks Lodge donates their building for a pool party/picnic in the summer, and a gala Christmas party, complete with Santa and gifts for all.  To pay for these and other events, the Region sponsors silent auctions: a Wine auction for Valentine’s Day and a Holiday Gifts auction at Christmas time.  Everyone - the individuals we serve, their families, our staff and providers – pitches in to make or buy items to donate to the auctions.

The population of the Pikes Peak region is growing very rapidly, and to keep up with this demand, we opened an office in Woodland Park to serve the people in Teller and Park counties in March, 2008.  Currently, we offer residential  and SLS/CES services there, and plan to expand to our full compliment of services by the end of 2008.

Services offered: Residential, SLS, CES, Day Program, Vocational, School to Work	El Paso, Park and Teller Counties: CCB: The Resource Exchange (TRE)
Southern Region (El Paso and Park Counties) 4740 Flintridge Drive, Ste #130 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Linda Brennenstuhl, Region Manager Phone: 719-477-9972 x 13 Fax: 719-473-7825 Email: LBrennenstuhl@carmelcs.com	Teller County Office: 321 W. Henrietta  Woodland Park, CO 80863 Phone: 719-686-8647