Child Family Survey (CFS) 2020-21 State Report

Colorado (CO) Report

Contents

What is NCI-IDD?

The National Core Indicators® – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI®-IDD) program is a voluntary effort by state developmental disability agencies to track their performance using a standardized set of consumer and family/guardian surveys with nationally validated measures. The effort is coordinated by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI).

In 2020-21, a total of 48 states, the District of Columbia and 22 sub-state entities participated in NCI-IDD.

Where are the statistics in this report from?

This report includes findings from the National Core Indicators® 2020-21 Child Family Survey (CFS). The data shown are weighted NCI-IDD averages. These data are comprised of 4,693 valid surveys collected across 10 states: Arizona (AZ), Colorado (CO), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), North Carolina (NC), Oregon (OR), South Dakota (SD), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), and Wisconsin (WI).

What is the NCI-IDD Child Family Survey?

The NCI-IDD Child Family Survey is used to gather data on family outcomes. It is mailed to families who have a child who lives with the respondent and and receive at least one service in addition to case management from the state DD agency. The survey collects demographic information on both the child receiving services (‘child’) as well as the person who fills out the survey (the ‘respondent’) and information on services and supports received. The survey is continually refined and tested to ensure it is valid and reliable.

Please note that while the term “case manager” is used throughout this report, the same role may also be referred to as “service coordinator” or “supports coordinator” depending on the state.

Important note on reponses: All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child’s demographics, diagnoses, and personal characteristics.

Important note on Impact of COVID-19

The 2020-21 NCI-IDD Family Survey data collection cycle began July 1, 2020 and ended June 30, 2021. Because the family surveys do not collect information on the date of survey completion, we cannot fully assess what impact the pandemic had on data collected at different times throughout the year. Additionally, we cannot determine whether COVID-19 impacted state samples. For instance, we do not know if certain populations were more or less likely to respond to the survey and we do not know whether or how responses were affected for specific questions. While these data will serve as an important baseline, and meaningful resource for states to understand the overall impact of services on families of individuals being served, these data should be read with caution and not for direct comparison with pre-pandemic years.

COVID-19 Supplement

To help better understand the overall impact of COVID-19 on families, NCI-IDD added a state-optional COVID-19 Supplement to all NCI surveys. The COVID-19 Supplement is intended to support the understanding of the experiences of people with disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their interactions with services. The NCI-IDD Family Surveys COVID-19 Supplement can be found at this link.

What is included in this report?

This report includes this state’s Child Family Survey data compared to the NCI-IDD Average. State outcomes that are significantly higher or lower than the NCI-IDD Average are indicated with an arrow:

  1. Outcomes where the state is significantly above the NCI-IDD average are denoted with an up arrow ▲;
  2. Outcomes where the state is significantly below the NCI-IDD average are denoted with a down arrow ▼.

Significance is based on “Always” or “Yes” response.

The charts in this document, grouped by subdomain, display the state results alongside the average across states (NCI-IDD average). The charts are followed by accessible tables containing the same information.

To find out more about the development of the Child Family Survey, data analysis and state samples, check out the National Child Family Survey Report

Demographics - Family Member

Table 1. More Than One Child Living in the Home Has IDD

State Yes No N
CO 27% 73% 248
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 24% 76% 4578


Table 2. Child's Age

State Average Age N
CO 10.5 250
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 11.3 4654


Table 3. Child's Gender

State Male Female N
CO 67% 33% 249
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 67% 33% 4650


Table 4a. Child's Disabilities

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics. Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Intellectual Disability Mental Illness or Psychiatric Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Cerebral Palsy Limited or No Vision Severe or Profound Hearing Loss
CO 61% 28% 67% 15% 15% 6%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 53% 23% 58% 14% 12% 7%


Table 4b. Child's Disabilities (continued)

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics. Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Brain Injury Seizure Disorder or Neurological Problem Chemical Dependency Down Syndrome Prader-Willi Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Other
CO 10% 36% 0% 5% 0% 3% 34%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 9% 24% 2% 11% 0% 2% 30%


Table 5a. Child's Health Conditions

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics. Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Cancer High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol
CO 9% 1% 0% 3% 2%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 13% 4% 2% 6% 5%


Table 5b. Child's Health Conditions (continued)

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics. Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Dysphagia Pressure Ulcers Oral Health Problems Sleep Apnea Other
CO 35% 1% 10% 48% 42%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 25% 3% 16% 33% 46%


Table 6. Child's Race and Ethnicity

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics. Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Hispanic or Latino Other
CO 1% 8% 7% 0% 80% 19% 3%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 3% 5% 14% 1% 65% 27% 2%


Table 7. Child's Preferred Means of Communication

State Spoken Gestures or Body Language Sign Language or Finger Spelling Communication Aid or Device Other N
CO 61% 18% 1% 11% 9% 245
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 66% 18% 4% 6% 6% 4564


Table 8. Child's Support Needs for Self-Injurious, Disruptive, or Destructive Behaviors

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics.
State None Some Extensive N
CO 14% 25% 60% 245
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 33% 41% 26% 4571


Table 9. Child's Level of Help Needed With Personal Care Activities

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their child's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics.
State None Some Extensive N
CO 1% 21% 78% 247
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 6% 38% 56% 4618


Demographics - Respondents

Table 10. Language usually spoken at home

State English Spanish Other N
CO 93% 2% 4% 250
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 86% 10% 4% 4614


Table 11. Respondent's Age

State Under 35 35-54 55-74 75 and Older N
CO 13% 73% 13% 0% 253
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 15% 69% 15% 1% 4650


Table 12. Respondent's Health

State Excellent Very Good Fairly Good Poor N
CO 19% 49% 29% 3% 254
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 17% 47% 31% 6% 4652




Table 14. Respondent or Other Family Member Provides Paid Support to Child

State No Respondent Other Family Member N
CO 37% 53% 16% 254
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 67% 15% 20% 4645


Table 15. Number of Adults in Household

State One Two Three Four or More N
CO 18% 62% 16% 4% 251
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 21% 54% 19% 6% 4629


Table 16. Number of Children in Household (including child receiving services about whom survey is being completed)

State One Two Three Four or More N
CO 32% 33% 21% 13% 248
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 38% 34% 17% 12% 4544


Table 17. Respondent's Highest Level of Education

State No High School Diploma or GED High School Diploma or GED Vocational School or Certificate Program Some College College Degree or Higher N
CO 2% 4% 8% 18% 69% 249
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 9% 16% 6% 21% 48% 4605


Table 18. Total Taxable Household Income of Wage Earners in the Past Year

State No Earned Income Up to $15,000 $15,001 to $25,000 $25,001 to $50,000 $50,001 to $75,000 Over $75,000 Prefer Not to Say N
CO 2% 7% 5% 16% 13% 41% 16% 246
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 8% 11% 11% 17% 15% 27% 11% 4588


Table 19. Residential Designation (Urban, Rural, or Suburban)

State Urban or Suburban (In or Near a City or Large Town) Rural (Outside of a City or Town) N
CO 89% 11% 245
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 72% 28% 4532


Demographics - Services and Supports Received

Table 20. Services and Supports Received From IDD Agency

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their family member's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics; categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Financial Support In-home Support Out-of-Home respite care Early Intervention Transportation Other Self-Direction or Fiscal Intermediary Services
CO 36% 55% 46% 8% 15% 94% 46%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 19% 59% 33% 13% 16% 74% 36%


Table 21. Other Services or Supports Received

All data are reported by the respondent based on their understanding of their family member's demographics, diagnoses and personal characteristics; categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Social Security Payments (SSI/SSB) Services or Supports from Other Agencies or Organizations
CO 24% 76%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 44% 65%


Information and Planning































Information and Planning Tables

Table Q1. Do you get enough information to take part in planning services for your child?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 31% 47% 17% 6% 249
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 37% 37% 19% 8% 4502


Table Q2. Is the information you get about services and supports easy to understand?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 18% 44% 32% 6% 248
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 27% 43% 24% 5% 4477


Table Q3. Does the case manager respect your family's choices and opinions?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 73% 21% 2% 3% 241
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 74% 19% 5% 2% 4479


Table Q4. Do you have enough information about other public services for which your family is eligible?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 19% 37% 29% 16% 210
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 31% 30% 21% 18% 3996


Table Q5. Do you need help planning for your child's future with respect to any of the following?

Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Employment Financial Housing Legal Medical Social or Relationships Transition From School Recreation or Having Fun Other
CO 52% 64% 59% 62% 52% 58% 60% 60% 11%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 54% 57% 49% 49% 47% 54% 58% 55% 9%


Table Q6. If you asked for crisis or emergency services during the past year, were services provided when needed?

State Yes No N
CO 47% 53% 58
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 62% 38% 1328


Table Q7. Does your child have a service plan?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 91% 9% 242
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 74% 26% 4000


Table Q8. Does the plan include all the services and supports your child needs?

State Yes No N
CO ▼ 77% 23% 207
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 87% 13% 2774


Table Q9. Does your child receive all of the services listed in the plan?

State Yes No N
CO ▼ 71% 29% 207
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 82% 18% 2772


Table Q10. Did you or another family member help make the plan?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 94% 6% 214
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 90% 10% 2948


Table Q11. Did your child help make the plan?

State Yes No N
CO ▼ 11% 89% 219
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 18% 82% 2943


Table Q12. Did you discuss how to handle emergencies (such as a medical emergency or a natural disaster) at your child's last service planning meeting?

State Yes No N
CO 62% 38% 205
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 55% 45% 2681


Table Q13. Does your child have a transition plan (as part of an IEP or Section 504 plan through their high school, usually starting at age 14)?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 75% 25% 55
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 53% 47% 1999


Table Q14. If your child has a transition plan, did you help make the plan?

State Yes No N
CO 97% 3% 37
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 92% 8% 971


Table Q15. Do you feel prepared to handle the needs of your child in an emergency such as a medical emergency or a natural disaster?

State Yes No N
CO 82% 18% 234
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 84% 16% 4200


Access and Delivery of Services and Supports









































Access and Delivery of Services and Supports Tables

Table Q16. Are you able to contact your child's support workers when you want?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 46% 41% 10% 3% 236
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 57% 31% 9% 3% 4281


Table Q17. Are you able to contact your child's case manager when you want?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 52% 36% 10% 2% 241
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 61% 27% 9% 3% 4460


Table Q18. Do support workers come and go when they are supposed to?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 56% 35% 8% 2% 205
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 61% 29% 7% 3% 3925


Table Q19. Do services and supports change when your family's needs change?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 30% 43% 21% 6% 209
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 40% 36% 16% 8% 3878


Table Q20. Do support workers speak to you in a way that you understand?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 70% 24% 4% 1% 219
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 74% 21% 4% 1% 4160


Table Q21. Are services delivered in a way that is respectful of your family's culture?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 80% 18% 2% 0% 239
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 82% 15% 2% 1% 4448


Table Q22. If your child does not communicate verbally (for example, uses gestures or sign language), are there support workers who can communicate with him/her?

CO's data are not included in the table due to low N (<20), but their responses are included in the NCI Average
State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 43% 24% 20% 12% 579


Table Q23. Do support workers have the right information and skills to meet your family's needs?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 36% 51% 10% 3% 224
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 49% 36% 12% 4% 4105


Table Q24. Does your child have the special equipment or accommodations that they need?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 27% 50% 18% 6% 181
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 42% 32% 17% 9% 3006


Table Q25. Can your child see health professionals when needed?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 62% 31% 6% 1% 248
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 70% 23% 6% 1% 4552


Table Q26. Does your child's primary care doctor understand their needs related to their disability?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 54% 34% 10% 2% 246
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 62% 27% 9% 2% 4504


Table Q27. Can your child go to the dentist when needed?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 70% 23% 5% 3% 246
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 71% 20% 5% 4% 4504


Table Q28. Does your child's dentist understand your child's needs related to their disability?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 54% 35% 8% 3% 237
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 61% 26% 10% 4% 4217


Table Q29. If your child takes medications, do you know what they're for?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 94% 4% 0% 2% 206
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 93% 4% 1% 1% 3827


Table Q30. Do you know when your child should take the medication, how much to take, and the potential side effects?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 93% 6% 1% 0% 205
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 92% 7% 1% 1% 3793


Table Q31. If your child uses mental health services, does the mental health professional understand your child's needs related to their disability?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 47% 35% 13% 5% 96
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 57% 29% 9% 5% 2064


Table Q32. If you need respite services, are you able to get them?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 24% 26% 20% 30% 206
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 32% 21% 19% 27% 3226


Table Q33. If you have used respite services in the past year, were you satisfied with the quality of the respite providers?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 59% 25% 12% 5% 147
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 64% 20% 10% 6% 2341


Table Q34. Does your family get the supports and services it needs?

State Yes No N
CO ▼ 55% 45% 236
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 73% 27% 4180


Table Q35. If family does not get the support and services needed, what additional services does your family need?

Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown.
State Respite Regularly Scheduled Support for Child Homemaker Services Home or Vehicle Modifications Counseling Family-to-Family Networks Other
CO 57% 21% 37% 19% 31% 28% 25%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 55% 40% 25% 24% 33% 33% 38%


Choice, Decision Making and Control











Choice, Decision Making and Control Tables

Table Q36. Can your family choose or change the agency that provides your child's services?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 61% 21% 11% 8% 200
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 66% 21% 7% 6% 3368


Table Q37. Can your family choose or change your child's support workers?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 58% 24% 13% 5% 196
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 65% 19% 8% 8% 3409


Table Q38. Does your family manage support workers?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO 50% 27% 14% 10% 185
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 59% 18% 10% 13% 3500


Table Q39. Do service providers for your child work together to provide support?

State Yes No N
CO 77% 23% 163
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 80% 20% 2635


Table Q40. Did you, your child, or someone else in your family choose your child's case manager?

State Yes, chose case manager No, didn't choose but can change if wanted No, didn't choose and cannot change if wanted N
CO ▼ 7% 76% 17% 205
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 18% 64% 18% 3655


Involvement in the Community











Involvement in the Community Tables

Table Q41. Does your child take part in activities in the community?

State Yes No N
CO 74% 26% 241
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 70% 30% 4476


Table Q42. For your child, what makes it hard to take part in activities in the community?

Categories are not mutually exclusive, therefore N is not shown
State Lack of Transportation Cost Lack of Support Staff Stigma Other
CO 8% 23% 33% 33% 52%
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 9% 22% 22% 29% 48%


Table Q43. Does your child spend time with children who do not have developmental disabilities?

State Yes No N
CO 80% 20% 248
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 84% 16% 4514


Table Q44. In your community, are there resources that your family can use that are not provided by the IDD agency (for example, recreational programs, community housing, library programs, religious groups, etc.)?

State Yes No N
CO 80% 20% 169
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 77% 23% 3429


Table Q45. Does your family take part in any family-to-family networks in your community (for example, Parent to Parent, sibling networks, etc.)?

State Yes No N
CO 23% 77% 226
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 20% 80% 3940


Satisfaction With Services and Supports





























Satisfaction With Services and Supports Tables

Table Q46. Overall, are you satisfied with the services and supports your family currently receives?

State Always Usually Sometimes Seldom or Never N
CO ▼ 24% 56% 15% 5% 241
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 36% 43% 17% 5% 4492


Table Q47. Do you know how to file a complaint or grievance about provider agencies or staff?

Don't Know responses were included in 'No' responses for this question.
State Yes No or Don't Know N
CO 67% 33% 245
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 59% 41% 4540


Table Q48. If a complaint or grievance was filed or resolved in the past year, are you satisfied with the way it was handled?

State Yes No or Don't Know N
CO ▼ 22% 78% 23
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 60% 40% 629


Table Q49. Do you know how to report abuse or neglect?

Don't Know responses were included in 'No' responses for this question.
State Yes No or Don't Know N
CO 81% 19% 246
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 77% 23% 4511


Table Q50. Within the past year, was a report of abuse or neglect filed on behalf of your child?

State Yes No N
CO 4% 96% 243
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 3% 97% 4435


Table Q51. If abuse or neglect was reported on behalf of your child in the past year, did the appropriate people respond to the report?

CO's data are not included in the table due to low N (<20), but their responses are included in the NCI Average
State Yes No N
CO n/a n/a n/a
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 90% 10% 153


Table Q52. If someone outside of your family reported abuse or neglect on behalf of your child in the past year, were you notified of the report in a timely manner?

CO's data are not included in the table due to low N (<20), but their responses are included in the NCI Average
State Yes No N
CO n/a n/a n/a
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 76% 24% 112


Table Q53. Do you feel that family supports have made a positive difference in the life of your family?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 98% 2% 228
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 93% 7% 4126


Table Q54. Have services and supports reduced your family's out-of-pocket expenses for your child's care?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 90% 10% 230
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 75% 25% 4231


Table Q55. Do you feel that family supports have improved your ability to care for your child?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 97% 3% 228
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 90% 10% 4184


Table Q56. Have the services or supports that your child/family received during the past year been reduced, suspended, or terminated?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 37% 63% 233
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 26% 74% 4293


Table Q57. If services or supports received by the family were reduced, suspended or terminated during the past year, did the change affect your family or your child negatively?

State Yes No N
CO ▲ 89% 11% 82
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 79% 21% 993


Table Q58. Have the services or supports that your child received been increased in the past year?

State Yes No N
CO 25% 75% 226
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 29% 71% 4178


Table Q59. Are services and supports helping your child to live a good life?

State Yes No N
CO 96% 4% 226
Weighted NCI-IDD Average 95% 5% 4252


Back to top