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Encouraging Development Inc (720) 226-4125 Email: office@encdev.co
- Community-Based Day, Evening and Weekend Programs -
- Transportation -
- Supported Employment Options for Adults with IDDs -
Our Service Areas
*Areas covered are subject to change
NOCO Program
Ault, Berthoud, Eaton, Fort Collins, Johnstown, Kersey, Laporte, LaSalle, Loveland, Greeley, Milliken, Pierce, Severance, Timnath, Wellington & Windsor Areas.
Northern Program
Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Dacono, Erie, Fort Lupton, Keensburg, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster Areas.
Central West Program
Western half of Denver metro and foothills areas from Commerce City down to Castle Rock and from Golden out to DIA.
Central East Program
Eastern half of Denver metro and foothills areas from Commerce City down to Highlands Ranch and from Golden out to DIA.
Foothills West Program
Aspen Park, Conifer, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Kittridge, Marshdale, Oethmann Park, Stanley Park, Turkey Creek
Southern Program
Castle Rock, Elizabeth, Parker, The Pinery, Ponderosa Park, Sedalia & Windy Hills Areas.
To find out if we serve your area or to suggest a new service area, please call (720) 226-4125
About Encouraging Development Inc
Dave Drum, Founder and CEO
Dave’s life passion has always been to protect and uplift those in our community that need our support and protection the most. Beginning in high school, he began his work with the school IDD program as a mentor. He studied psychology and played football at San Joaquin Delta College and then was recruited by Marietta College as a defensive lineman where he studied psychology. In 1998, Dave moved to Colorado and worked at a group home for adults with IDDs. At the advice of that organization, he opened - Rocky Mountain Community Participation on July 1, 1999. In 2008, he renamed his day program Encouraging Development Inc and continued to provide community-based services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dave Drum has continuously been the CEO and program director for 26 years and still works personally with his clients and their families every day.
Our Mission
At Encouraging Development Inc, our mission is to provide excellent person-centered community support and access services to adults with IDDs. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for a wide spectrum of individuals by providing transportation and community-based services all over Denver Metro, Foothills areas and beyond.
Day, Evening & Weekend Community-Based Day Programs
We, at Encouraging Development Inc, teach our clients how to access their communities which profoundly increases their social circles and quality of life. We help individuals reach their goals by supporting and mentoring them in personal development, money skills, safety, appropriate social behavior, making suitable food selections and appropriate peer-conflict resolution techniques. Dave's time-tested methods greatly increase self-esteem, confidence, independence and social skills including mentoring in the establishment of meaningful and long-lasting friendships within and outside of the group. Encouraging Development Inc staff work closely with the individuals, families and care takers to better understand each person's experience and situation to best support them and their changing needs.
Supported Employment Options with Transportation
Supported Employment services support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in the DD and SLS Waivers* to obtain, learn, and maintain competitive, integrated employment in community settings. Services are individualized, person‑centered, and designed to promote independence, skill development, and long‑term employment success consistent with the individual’s interests, strengths, abilities, and informed choice.
Supported Employment emphasizes work in typical community businesses where individuals earn at least minimum wage (or prevailing wage) competitive to others who work in their field work, alongside individuals without disabilities, and are fully included in the workplace culture. *Currently only available for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) funding. Contact us if you would like to be placed on our waiting list and receive updates on our approval status for Medicaid Waiver funding options.
Pre-Vocational Services with Transporation
The purpose of Prevocational Services is to support individuals who are not yet ready for competitive, integrated employment by helping them develop foundational skills necessary for future employment success. These services are intended to be time‑limited and outcome‑oriented, with a clear pathway toward Supported Employment or other vocational services. Our certificate programs help translate this training into resume building skills. *Currently only available for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) funding. Contact us if you would like to be placed on our waiting list and receive updates on our approval status for Medicaid Waiver funding options.
Mentorship Services
Mentorship Services provides individualized guidance, encouragement, and skill development through a supportive relationship with a trained mentor. Services are delivered in community-based, integrated settings and support increased independence, self‑determination, community participation, and personal growth. They focus on building social, life, and community navigation skills rather than providing supervision, therapy, or employment services.
The purpose of Mentorship Services is to:
· Support self‑confidence and personal development
· Promote community inclusion and natural relationships
· Strengthen decision‑making and self‑advocacy skills
· Support progress toward goals identified in the Person‑Centered Support Plan (PCSP)
Supported Employment Team
Evelyn Stiefel - Aspirant Employment Group LLC
Evelyn Stiefel - Aspirant Employment Group LLC
Evelyn Stiefel - Aspirant Employment Group LLC
Customized Individual Employment Specialist
Lynda Drum
Evelyn Stiefel - Aspirant Employment Group LLC
Evelyn Stiefel - Aspirant Employment Group LLC
COO & Customized Individual Employment Specialist
Rock Jennison
North Manager
Debbie Lingg
Angelina Thammavong
Debbie Lingg
Community Educator
Eva Martinez
Angelina Thammavong
Debbie Lingg
Community Educator
Angelina Thammavong
Angelina Thammavong
Angelina Thammavong
Community Educator
Jessylynn Galvez
Jessylynn Galvez
Jessylynn Galvez
Community Educator
Mike Miller
Jessylynn Galvez
Jessylynn Galvez
Community Educator
Prince Johnson
Jessylynn Galvez
Prince Johnson
Community Educator
Maximus Light
Jessica Sweeney
Prince Johnson
Community Educator
Jessica Sweeney
Jessica Sweeney
Jessica Sweeney
Community Educator
Executive and Administrative Support Team
Dave Drum & Lynda Drum
Dave Drum & Lynda Drum
Dave Drum & Lynda Drum
CEO COO
Christy Senecaut
Dave Drum & Lynda Drum
Dave Drum & Lynda Drum
Bookkeeper
Mercedes Santiago-Drum
Dominique (Nicqui) Leaf
Dominique (Nicqui) Leaf
Assistant Company Manager
Dominique (Nicqui) Leaf
Dominique (Nicqui) Leaf
Dominique (Nicqui) Leaf
Staffing Coordinator
Landon Drum
David Drum III "D3"
David Drum III "D3"
Administrative Assistant
David Drum III "D3"
David Drum III "D3"
David Drum III "D3"
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