Colorado End-of-Life Options Act
Everything Healthcare Providers and Facilities Need to Know Now!


A "deep dive" into the distinct requirements of the new Colorado End-of-Life Options Act, which allows terminally ill Coloradans to request medical aid in dying (also known as "physician-assisted death"), and best practices to responding to patient requests, educating staff and communities, and supporting diverse views.

NEW DATES IN NORTHERN COLORADO 
Space is extremely limited! Register NOW to reserve a seat. ​

February 28, Greeley: Centennial Area Health Education Center (AHEC)*, 4650 W 20th St # A​. Click here to register.

March 1, Boulder: Crist Mortuary,* 3395 Penrose Place. Click here to register.

Schedule for both days: Registration, 8:00AM; Program 8:30AM to 4:00PM. 
$150 per person. Includes continental breakfast, lunch, comprehensive materials, certificate of attendance

NEW! Program Especially for Physicians and Mental Health Professionals!
March 2, Denver: The Denver Hospice Care Center, 8299 E Lowry Blvd. Click here to register.
A condensed intensive program, delivering all the depth but narrowly focused on the concerns and requirements for attending physicians, consulting physicians, and mental health professionals.
Schedule: Registration 5:00PM; Program 5:30PM to 8:30PM. 
$125 per person, includes dinner, comprehensive materials, certificate of attendance.

What's It All About?
On December 16, 2016, Governor Hickenlooper certified the Colorado End-of-Life Options Act. Terminally ill, mentally capable Colorado resident adults now have the right to request medical aid in dying (also called physician-assisted death).

Love it, hate it, opt in or opt out, every healthcare provider and facility in the state will have to comply with the law, respond to patient and community inquiries, coordinate with referral and service partners, manage diverse views among staff and volunteers, and continue to provide the best possible care to terminally ill patients and their families.
  • Providers must have written policies or they cannot be enforced. 
  • Patients, families, and healthcare partners have questions now!
  • Are you ready?
This comprehensive program will equip you to:
  • Navigate the basics, distinct features, and hidden complexities of the Colorado Act, with up-to-the-minute updates from the State
  • Protect organizational integrity while respecting patient rights 
  • Develop or refine an organizational position--Opt Out, Arm’s Length, Educate & Support, or All In—aligned with your mission and values
  • Respond compassionately, respectfully, and thoroughly to patient requests
  • Create community messaging and educate staff, volunteers, and stakeholders about your approach to the Act
  • Learn from operational and ethical challenges other states have encountered
  • Broaden public awareness and strengthen quality of care for terminally ill patients and their families
​*Program content has been developed by The Iris Project and does not necessarily reflect the views of the hosting organizations.

Presenter: Jennifer Moore Ballentine, MA, is President of The Iris Project and Chair of the Colorado Advance Directives Consortium. Previously, she served as Vice President of Hospice Analytics, Executive Director of Life Quality Institute, and Director of Programs of Colorado Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. She has been closely involved with implementation of the California End-of-Life Option Act and brings “on the ground” experience along with deep knowledge of the research, policy, and operational challenges of medical aid in dying.

Special Guest: Kim Mooney has 24 years of experience as in the field of dying, death, and grief. She has worked with hospices as community educator and bereavement counselor, and as an independent consultant for faith communities, corporations, health care and mental health agencies. She is a certified Thanatologist and former Board member of the International Association for Death Education and Counseling. Through Practically Dying, Kim offers private consultations, trainings, retreats and presentations focused on navigating end-of-life needs and grief.

P.S.

As some of you may know, Kim has contributed to serious and responsible dialog on the complex issues bound up with medical aid in dying, while personally supporting the option. Jennifer actively opposed the Colorado End-of-Life Options Act legislation and ballot measure, due to profound concerns over its public policy implications and conflict with the values and goals of hospice and palliative care. Leaving the debate behind, both are now wholly committed to ensuring that providers develop responsible policies with respect to their degree of participation, ensure ongoing support for dissenting and participating staff, effectively communicate with patients, partners, and their communities, and – above all – provide the highest quality of care and attention to the relief of suffering for all patients with serious and terminal illness and their families.

Hear what attendees of earlier programs are saying:

  • Outstanding program -- extremely engaging and open discussion. Great policy case studies, great materials!
  • Your breadth of knowledge made it useful, and your ease of presentation made it all pleasurable! 
  • Can't say enough about how valuable his program was. Thank you for offering it in such a timely fashion. I feel well equipped to speak knowledgeably about the End-of-Life Options Act now.

Too much for a webinar!

This live program will include:
  • Hands-on exercises
  • Role-playing conversations with patients & provider partners
  • Case studies from experiences in other states
  • Extensive take-away resources, sample policies, references, and frameworks

Topics

  • The Basics of the Colorado Act
  • Distinct Features and Complexities of the Colorado Act
  • Developing Organizational Position, Policies, & Procedures
  • Responding to Patient Requests
  • Discerning Sources of Suffering
  • Ethical & Operational Challenges
  • Coordinating with Referral and Service Partners
  • Educating & Supporting Staff, Volunteers, Patients & Families
  • Communicating with Your Community
  • Reintroducing Hospice and Palliative Care tp Your Community, Patients, and Partners​

Thank You to the
​Hospice & Palliative Care Association of the Rockies

The Hospice and Palliative Care Association of the Rockies (HPCAR) has joined with us to sponsor Continuing Education units/hours for nurses and social workers!

6.5 hours* of CEUs/CEs/CECs will be FREE to HPCAR members and available for a nominal fee to non-members. Details and sign-up at each event.

*Provider Colorado Center for Hospice & Palliative Care is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16091, for 6.5 contact hours for this education.