Denver, Colorado, October, 2024 – Maureen Welch was outraged when she discovered that her disabled son qualified for a Colorado Medicaid waiver after her case management agency failed her by neglecting to inform her about her son’s waiver options. She learned to navigate the system and got her son on a waiver, which changed her entire family’s life for the better. Infuriated by the system breakdowns, she created Roadmap for the Waiver Journey, the only program that teaches the parents of children with disabilities how to successfully apply for a waiver, which potentially offers up to $100K annually in caregiver income and the value of utilized disability services.

Maureen Welch, known as the ‘Badass of Colorado’s Medicaid waiver system,’ is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and an expert on Colorado’s Medicaid system. She gained her knowledge the hard way, through personal experience. She realized that Colorado didn’t offer comprehensive resources to help caregivers navigate the difficult process of applying for or utilizing Medicaid waivers, so she founded Navigating Disability Colorado to empower the disability community.

Medicaid waivers are game-changing, because over the lifetime of the disabled person, families can access hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability support services that are funded by the waiver. Eligible caregivers can also earn certifications that enable them to get paid for taking care of their disabled loved one. Plus, waivers offer Medicaid insurance with no out-of-pocket costs that can be used by itself, or in addition to private insurance.

The reason why Roadmap for the Waiver Journey is critically needed is that the disability benefits system is disjointed and hard to navigate. Each waiver applicant is assigned to a case management agency, but these agencies are too overwhelmed and understaffed to provide reliable or timely guidance. When the parents of disabled children rely on their case management agency to help with their waiver application, it often takes many frustrating months to get their case moving, and the long road is fraught with inevitable obstacles. NDC’s program empowers parents with the knowledge, resources and leadership skills to successfully navigate this process.

Maureen’s program ruffles feathers: those ‘in the system’ often claim that people don’t need to pay for a training program because there are free waiver resources available. The difference is that NDC’s program empowers people to get in the driver’s seat and take control of the Medicaid benefits system, rather than be victimized by it. Other organizations only offer generic advice, or help parents resolve a specific roadblock. Only Roadmap for the Waiver Journey offers a supportive online community; delivers in-depth Medicaid knowledge; teaches effective communications skills and provides the tactical tools to succeed. The program can be tailored to each family’s unique life situation.

There is a one-time membership investment to join Roadmap for the Waiver Journey, and members get unlimited access to the program’s self-paced video courses, group coaching, free resources and personal support within the online NDC Community. The return on investment for the one-time program membership fee is incredible when you consider that if a family member gets certified to earn income for taking care of their disabled loved one, they can recoup more than the cost of the program in just one month! The program fee is miniscule compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars in value families can potentially receive over a waiver’s lifetime.

Roadmap for the Waiver Journey has limited spots in each cohort, so the best way for parents to get access is to register for a live online information session hosted by Maureen. These sessions provide foundational knowledge, and participants get first dibs on enrollment spots in upcoming NDC program start dates.

Maureen founded Navigating Disability Colorado in 2021 after teaching herself how to navigate the Medicaid system and get her son on the CES waiver. Maureen holds dual master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education as well as a Colorado Teaching License and a Certified Nursing Aide License. She’s also a tenacious policy advocate who is often at the Colorado Capitol speaking out, participating in Medicaid policy meetings, or advising legislators on crafting policies that support disabled people. She’s known for making waves with viewpoints like this: What’s Wrong with Colorado Medicaid and Disability Services?

Sunitha, mother of a disabled daughter and an NDC program member, said, “If you have a disabled child, just do the program. I learned how to get my daughter on a waiver, which would’ve been nearly impossible on my own. I now earn income for taking care of her. I have the assurance that my daughter is getting the services she needs today, and the program will also ensure she still gets benefits as an adult by helping me get her on an adult waiver at the right time. Roadmap for the Waiver Journey is for life, and has absolutely transformed my family’s world!”

About Navigating Disability Colorado (NDC)

NDC is an independent advocacy company founded in 2021 with a mission to empower the disability community to effectively advocate for services. Medicaid waivers offer lifelong medical and support services for people with disabilities, however, it’s difficult to navigate the Medicaid benefits system. NDC overcomes the obstacles with its transformational program, Roadmap for the Waiver Journey. It’s the only Colorado program that holistically combines online courses, community support, and group coaching to help participants apply for a waiver, maximize its benefits and successfully navigate the system over the duration of their disabled loved one’s life. Founder Maureen Welch is known as the Badass of the Colorado Medicaid waiver system. She’s the mother of a disabled child; a teacher with two master’s degrees; a Certified Nursing Aide and a political policy influencer. She leverages her reputation and political clout to cut through red tape and fight for truth and justice. Visit NavigatingDisabilityCO.com to learn more.

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