The Mission Supports Program: Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Experiencing Housing Instability

January 21, 2025

Learn more about the RMHS Mission Supports program and how it works to identify and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing housing instability.

Facing the daily uncertainty of housing instability while navigating the unique challenges of living with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) is stark reality for many. People with I/DD are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing homelessness, often due to the complexities of receiving disability benefits, securing necessary resources, and the reality that many of these individuals cannot live safely without long-term resources and supports. Without access to safe housing, their already vulnerable circumstances are compounded by unsafe living environments, deteriorating health and safety, and a lack of consistent support.

However, programs like Mission Supports at Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS), are making a difference. This vital program was created to address the unique needs of individuals with I/DD experiencing homelessness and housing instability. By connecting participants with critical resources—like support in getting a formal I/DD determination, disability benefits, and safe housing—Mission Supports empowers individuals with I/DD to regain stability, build a foundation for a healthier future, and, ultimately, live safe and fulfilling lives.

Here is a look at the Mission Supports program and how it works to connect individuals with the individualized support they need to pursue a future away from homelessness.

An Overview of the Work of Mission Supports

Mission Supports was established to assist people in Denver County who have I/DD but lack the supports and services needed to live safe and fulfilling lives free from homelessness. At its core, Mission Supports aims to bridge gaps in services that individuals desperately need; however, those needs range vastly from person to person and change frequently.

The Associate Director of Mission Supports, Arnie Swenson, shared, “We’re constantly evolving because the gaps people face are like volcanoes that are always erupting.”

Mission Supports connects individuals to services and resources that address both immediate and long-term needs. From supporting individuals in the process of receiving an official I/DD determination, which unlocks access to variety of benefits designated for people with I/DD, to connecting individuals to support services such as case management or temporary housing, Mission Supports acts as a lifeline for individuals facing overwhelming circumstances.

“Unfortunately, people who have a moderate intellectual disability are at a higher risk for exploitation or bullying. The threat out there can be so intense that they need to be in a safe place where somebody can be there for them if things get difficult,” Swenson shared.

In 2024, Mission Supports saw remarkable growth, more than doubling the number of individuals it assisted compared to the previous year. Most people supported were new to Mission Supports. Notably, most individuals who go through this program do not return, highlighting the program’s ability to help people achieve long-term stability.

These individuals came to Mission Supports at varying stages of need, with challenges ranging from quick resolutions, such as finding a host home provider, to complex cases requiring years of advocacy. Individualized support is key to addressing diverse needs effectively, and Mission Supports works to meet people where they are.

“There are so many different places where people are in the system… it might be someone who was in services in Mesa or Adams County, and they already have their documentation. We just need to connect them to the appropriate Denver services,” Swenson explained. “But we also get referrals for people whose special education to adult services transition failed and they never got signed up for any kind of assistance, which means we have to start from scratch.”

Below are the unique ways the Mission Supports program helps people with I/DD and who are struggling with Homelessness.

1. Identifies individuals who might qualify for disability services

   Mission Supports staff respond to calls, texts, and emails, visit encampments and shelters, and partner with social workers at local jails to find and support individuals who may qualify for disability benefits.

2. Helps individuals to navigate and obtain appropriate disability benefits

   Program staff help to secure essential legal documents like identification and disability determination to support with application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and other Colorado state benefits. Staff also conduct research into individuals’ histories to identify possible diagnoses and uncover supports from the individuals’ existing networks. Sometimes, special education records prove useful when an individual’s services lapsed upon exiting out of the school system, meaning they were never successfully connected to adult services.

3. Sets individuals up with long-term supports

   Staff ensure individuals are connected and actively enrolled in their local case management agency so they have the consistent support of a case manager to oversee their services.

4. Helps meet immediate needs

   Staff can coordinate emergency temporary housing for individuals unable to stay in shelters or those recently discharged from hospitals as well as provide connections to other resources designed to meet pressing needs.

“The major things we do is provide shoulder-to-shoulder assistance in the community to connect them with appropriate benefits and fill the gaps,” Swenson explained.

Breaking Down Barriers for Individuals with I/DD

Swenson often hears a common refrain from those his program supports: “Nobody understands my disability. Nobody understands my autism. Nobody’s understanding.” Reflecting on this, he added, “I think the misunderstanding and typical lack of knowledge about intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community is so hard on people with I/DD.”

Mission Supports works to break down these barriers by advocating for individuals with I/DD. Beyond helping them secure housing and benefits, the program ensures they are seen, heard, and supported as unique individuals with their own experiences and challenges.

The impact of this work is illustrated by the story of Martha, a woman in her fifties with Down syndrome. After the death of her mother, Martha got evicted from the home she had shared with her brother and mother, leading to homelessness. She was placed in a shelter that couldn’t accommodate her complex needs. Fortunately, Martha was eventually connected to Mission Supports, where she gained access to critical resources, including I/DD determination, healthcare, and guardianship.

Today, Martha has a guardian who supports her needs, and she participates in a day program that enriches her life through social connections and personal fulfillment. Her story demonstrates the transformative power of stable housing and tailored support, which can profoundly impact an individual’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Community Ties and Building Peer Connections

As Mission Supports looks ahead, two areas it plans to grow its impact are strengthened relationships with its community partnerships. Denver County and the state of Colorado have targeted funding for supporting individuals with I/DD, which creates plenty of opportunities for collaboration.

“We’re in a city where money goes specifically to people with I/DD so that means there are pockets of people and organizations all over the city who are more aware of intellectual developmental disabilities than in other counties,” Swenson explained.

Fostering strong collaboration with community partners is particularly important now as the number of families experiencing homelessness in the Denver Metro area has increased by nearly 50%.

Now instead of supporting an individual with no existing support network, Mission Supports often works with families with children. The existence of children means working alongside additional advocates and entities such as child protective services and school district advocates. Partnering as a team makes a world of difference for these families.

Mission Supports also has plans in the works to create a monthly peer support group to foster connection and provide a chance for participants to share their experiences and outcomes with each other.

“We want our participants to get more involved with the direction of how we communicate,” Swenson shared.

Allowing individuals the chance to connect with others who share the experience of living with I/DD and navigating housing instability is expected to foster powerful outcomes such as solidarity and connection. These peer support groups can also help participants build confidence, reduce isolation, and discover practical strategies for overcoming obstacles.

Mission Supports exemplifies the vital role programs that support and advocate for individuals with I/DD play in addressing systemic inequities faced by this population. By providing tailored support and bridging the gap between housing instability and stability, Mission Supports not only changes lives but also builds a stronger, more inclusive community.

If you’d like to learn more about the Mission Supports program and how it’s helping individuals with I/DD achieve stability, visit the Mission Supports webpage.