Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health works with school districts to provide autism therapy; hosts drag queen event for children

  • Jeffco Public Schools (Jefferson County Public Schools) - Colorado

Incidents

Issues

Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health is a self-proclaimed “individualized center-based, in-home, school & community based Applied Behavior Analysis services for all ages and diagnoses serving the Colorado front range from Fort Collins to Denver, including Jefferson County.” The organization openly works with Jeffco Public Schools, Poudre School District, and St. Vrain Valley Schools. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a therapy used with children who have autism.

Parents Defending Education received an email from a concerned community member that the organization sent to parents. The organization states in the email that “we are hosting a Drag Story Hour!” The organization further explains:

This is a drag story hour that will include a mix of stories/activities and age appropriate performances by 5 drag artists. There will be 3 stories and two activities: Auntie Uncle-Drag Queen Hero, The Girl Who Thought in Pictures, If You’re a Kid Like Gavin, Parachute party and freeze dance.

The flyer for the event specifically points out children and is titled “Drag Story Hour: The Future is Our Kids.” The event is scheduled for June 10, 2023. The names of drag queens on the flyer appear vulgar. Their stage names are “August Celestial,” “Brennan Sexyback,” “Jacques Strapp,” and “JustinN’Out.”

The organization promotes a drag event for children.
The flyer features drag queens with vulgar stage names.

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to Jeffco Public Schools seeking agreements between the school district and Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health. PDE received an agreement that ends on June 30, 2023. The amount is stated as “not to exceed $250,000 for all Orders in any Contract Term.” The scope of the services is stated as “special educational and related services in Out-of-District placement.”

Jeffco-ContractDownload

PDE also submitted a public records request for agreements from 2021 to the present with the organization to the Poudre School District but was told “that there are no public records responsive to your request.” However, the school district is listed on Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health’s website.