We are closing in on the end of Budget Season and that means the time to make your voice heard about the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Budget is now. 

 

As you know, The Arc of New Jersey is working hard to secure additional funding to address the growing Waiting List at the Division of Developmental Disabilities and increase monies for Family Support Services at the Department of Children and Families. We have taken this message to the Governor and to the Legislature and now it's your turn to weigh in about why these funding increases are so critical for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in New Jersey. You have the power to explain to legislators exactly why more funding is needed and how it impacts you, a loved one, or an individual you help to support.

 

With this in mind, we ask you to reach out to both the Senate and Assembly Budget Chairmen. It is important that we stay strong with our message in these final weeks. Below you will find a template letter and contact information for both legislators. We strongly encourage you to personalize any message you send whether it's via email or traditional mail. You're personal story is what drives our advocacy so please individualize the language provided.

Contact:

Senator Paul Sarlo

sensarlo@njleg.org

or

(201) 804-8118

or

496 Columbia Blvd.

1st Floor,

Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 

Assemblyman Gary Schaer

asmschaer@njleg.org

or

(973) 249-3665

or

1 Howe Avenue

Suite 302

Passaic, NJ 07055

Email/Letter Template

Dear Senator Sarlo/Assemblyman Schaer,

 

As you make decisions about the FY16 Budget, I ask you to please remember the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I believe the State must take action to address the growing Community Services Waiting List and move 1,000 people off the list over the next three years. To make this plan a reality, I ask you to increase funding for the Waiting List within the Division of Developmental Disabilities by $11 million in FY16. This will ensure 330 individuals move off the Waiting List in the next fiscal year.

 

More than half of the individuals on the Waiting List are deemed by the State to be Priorities because they either live with aging caregivers or their circumstances are such that they may become emergencies in the near future. Please act now to help individuals on the Waiting List in need of services so they may continue to live integrated lives in the community.  

 

Finally, I ask that you include an additional $5 million for Family Support Services within the Department of Children and Families for families caring for a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the home. Supporting a loved one every day can be overwhelming and family support services, like respite, offer a necessary break so that there can be a balance between caregiving, job responsibilities and other family members who deserve attention.

 

The funding decisions you make in the next few weeks will have a significant impact on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please do everything you can to include these requests in the final FY16 Budget.

 

Thank you. 

Download a Copy of the Action Alert HERE