We are beyond proud to announce that Matt VanAuken, CEO and Executive Director of Developmental Pathways (DP), has been awarded the esteemed “IDD Champion Award” at the Alliance Summit!
Matt’s journey includes over two decades of executive leadership and management experience rooted in serving and leading people. He previously worked as the Director for Children, Youth, and Families at Jefferson County Human Services after transitioning from the restaurant industry, where he held executive roles at Hard Rock Café and Olive Garden. He earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors’ University.
He has been a DP executive for 13 years, becoming CEO & ED in 2019, and has shown a strong commitment to individuals affected by the disability system, working tirelessly to ensure they have access to necessary services. He has served on the Alliance Board of Directors and participates in several committees, including leading the Case Management Policy Committee.
Additionally, he has held various state and local positions to improve services for people with I/DD in Colorado. The Governor appointed him to serve on the Colorado State Board of Health from 2015 to 2019 and as a Senate-appointed member of the Healthcare Policy and Financing’s Medicaid Provider Rates and Review Advisory Committee. He is also a former El Paso County Human Services Advisory Committee chairperson and a former Board member for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Matt guided our organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted Colorado’s disability system, and through implementing conflict-free case management as we divested ourselves from our direct HCBS services branch (Continuum of Colorado). His exceptional leadership during Case Management Redesign (CMRD) contributed to DP being awarded the Case Management Agency (CMA) contract for Region 5 and transitioning into Phase 1.
Darcy Tibbles, Vice President of Community Affairs at DP, says, “He is the kind of leader who wants the very best for our community: From the individuals and families we serve to the staff we employ to the community partners holding up the system at every level — Matt is fully invested in a flourishing disability system.”
His guidance was crucial during the challenging implementation of the new Care and Case Management System (CCM) and the national efforts to unwind the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Throughout, Matt remained committed to advocating for individuals in services, their families, and their support networks.
As a CMA executive, Matt advocates for systemic improvements in the disability system. This past year, he intensified his efforts to address critical issues affecting individuals, case managers, and service providers by attending countless meetings with state and county partners, legislators, advocacy leaders, families and individuals, and teams. He pushed for better communication and increased support for case management while advocating for flexible funding to stabilize the system. Throughout his discussions with state partners and legislators, Matt consistently sought solutions to improve the lives of those in the disability system.
“Receiving this award was a surprise and honor. Being recognized by my peers for my contributions to the I/DD community is truly humbling. Fifteen years ago, I began this work in honor of my sister, who passed away due to her disabilities a decade ago. Today, I dedicate my efforts to the thousands of individuals we are fortunate enough to serve each and every year. This achievement would not have been possible without the remarkable staff at DP and our supportive legislators, county commissioners, community partners, and Board of Directors,” said Matt.
We honor Matt and his dedicated work in the disability community and believe he deeply deserves this award. Congratulations, Matt!