Adult Services
Serving adults with I/DD
At Ariel, we believe every individual has the right to a meaningful life and the opportunity to contribute to the community in a unique way. Since 2004, we’ve provided personalized, person-centered services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to help do just that—live the best life possible.
Our programs are built to highlight each person’s strengths, maximize individual potential, and help each person fully participate in the community. We offer a range of residential services with different levels of support, from just a little help to more hands-on care. Our vocational services help Members (the adults we serve) discover their interests, find the right job, and receive ongoing coaching to succeed at work. Our day program offers enriching activities focused on learning, independence, social connection, and building a sense of belonging. We also offer trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral services and therapy, tailored to meet each person’s needs with compassion and care.
Thinking about Ariel for yourself? Start with You Belong Here, a page written just for you.
Compassionate and qualified professionals
Ariel is a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA), approved by the State of Colorado to provide Medicaid-funded services through several waiver programs:
- Home and Community-Based Services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (HCBS-DD)
- Supported Living Services (HCBS-SLS)
- Children’s Extensive Support (HCBS-CES), the waiver that bridges our child and family services and our adult services
To learn more about what it means to be a PASA, visit this page from Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment.
We’re proud of our work with adults whose needs are complex, including those who live with a mental health diagnosis alongside I/DD. Across adult services, our staff are trained in trauma-informed care, which means understanding how past experiences shape what’s happening today and responding with that in mind.
Beyond credentials, what really defines us is our heart. We’re a team of dedicated, caring people who are truly invested in the success and happiness of every Member we support. And to us, success looks different for everyone. We’re here to walk beside each person’s journey, celebrating every goal reached and every step forward.
Adult Services at Ariel
We believe every adult with I/DD deserves the chance to grow, connect, and live a life that feels meaningful.
Our adult I/DD services in Colorado are designed to support individual needs and interests. Some Members use just one service, while others benefit from a mix. Whatever the path, our team works closely together to make sure everyone is on the same page and each person feels supported. A residential provider knows how day program went, and a therapist knows what’s working at home.
We serve adults across Colorado from five regional HQs. Residential services are available through every one of them, and our other adult services are based mainly on Colorado’s Western Slope, with some offered in other regions. Wherever you live, our team is committed to helping each Member access meaningful opportunities in their community.
Not sure where to start? If you or the person you support already works with a case manager at a case management agency (CMA), that’s a great first call. If not, Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) keeps a directory of case management agencies by county. Our Adult Services FAQs answer the questions we hear most, and you’re always welcome to contact your regional HQ to talk through options together.
Residential Services
We offer a variety of living options based on what works best for each person: living independently, with family, in a host home with a residential provider, or in a shared home with staff support around the clock. We help make sure it’s the right fit—with the right level of support, from a little help to more hands-on care, adjusting as needs change. Our residential team can also connect Members to respite, nursing, therapy, vocational programs, and more. It’s all about building independence, staying connected to the community, and supporting each person’s own goals.
Interested in sharing your home? Learn about becoming a residential provider.
Vocational Services
Finding and keeping a job is a big step toward independence. We help Members explore what kind of work might be enjoyable, feel confident through the hiring process, and succeed with coaching once on the job, along with practical skills like budgeting, safety, and communication. On the Western Slope, Members can work at one of our social enterprises, like Charley’s Cookies, Perdita’s Coffee, or the Whaz Up Dawg food truck, or join the Work Crew in Grand Junction. Many take those skills on to jobs in the community. For anyone who prefers volunteering, we offer meaningful ways to get involved at local sites.
Day Program
Day Program is all about helping Members learn, grow, and connect in a supportive setting. Think 3D printing and art classes, cooking and dance, Get Fit sessions, outings, and volunteering around town, with evening and weekend options for Members who work during the day. Every activity is designed with inclusion and independence in mind, so Members can follow their interests, discover new ones, and feel part of something bigger.
Behavioral Services
We understand that behavior challenges can be just that—challenging—and that behind every behavior is a person communicating the best way they can. Our team looks for what’s behind the behavior, then helps find better, more positive ways of expressing feelings and needs, one-on-one or in a group. Led by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), the team uses evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and works hand in hand with families and our therapy team, helping Members regulate emotions and build healthy communication.
Adult I/DD Therapy
We see the whole person when it comes to therapy—where they’re at now, where they’ve come from, and where they want to go. Our therapy team brings a wealth of experience, and we’re especially proud of how we support co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma. Therapists work closely with case managers and residential teams, so a therapist often knows about a rough week before the next session starts. Through individual, family, and group therapy, we offer trauma-informed care and evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
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