 |
|
The Family Advocate
September 2016
|
|
|
|
Governmental Affairs Update
|
By: Sharon Levine, Director of Governmental Affairs & Communications
Executive Director Tom Baffuto testified about the pros and cons of New Jersey's Statewide Transition Plan Addendum at a listening session hosted by the Department of Human Services last month. The Statewide Transition Plan (STP) outlines how New Jersey will come into compliance with the Home and Community Based Settings Rule by March 2019. This rule was published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the recent Addendum serves as the State's response to follow up questions and
|
 |
|
|
Event Spotlight Webinar: Self Advocacy: An Overview for Students, Parents and Teachers |
Stay up to date with what's happening! Save the Date and mark you
r
calendars for these upcoming events
.
|
|
What's In Your Child's IEP?
|
|
|
|
U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance On Civil Rights of Students with ADHD
This guidance provides a broad overview of Section 504 and school districts' obligations to provide educational services to students with disabilities, including students with ADHD. The guidance:
- Explains that schools must evaluate a student when a student needs or is believed to need special education or related services.
- Discusses the obligation to provide services based on students' specific needs and not based on generalizations about disabilities, or ADHD, in particular. For example, the guidance makes clear that schools must not rely on the generalization that students who perform well academically cannot also be substantially limited in major life activities, such as reading, learning, writing and thinking; and that such a student can, in fact, be a person with a disability.
- Clarifies that students who experience behavioral challenges, or present as unfocused or distractible, could have ADHD and may need an evaluation to determine their educational needs.
- Reminds schools that they must provide parents and guardians with due process and allow them to appeal decisions regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of students with disabilities, including students with ADHD.
|
The Arc of New Jersey's
Planning for Adult Life Program
|
With a new school year right around the corner, get connected to a program that will help your loved one plan for their adult life. The Arc of New Jersey's
Planning for Adult Life Program is a statewide project funded by the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). It is designed to assist young adults (between the ages of 16-21) with developmental disabilities and their families in charting a life course for adulthood. The program offers a variety of resources including free regional informational sessions, webinars, and resource guides that address the 8 core areas:
- Postsecondary Education/Employment
- Housing
- Legal/Financial Planning
- Entitlement Programs and Eligibility
- Self-Direction
- Health/Behavioral Health
- Building/Maintaining Community Ties and Friendships
- Planning/Visioning a Life Course
|
Need a Speaker For Your Upcoming Meeting?
|
Looking for a speaker to attend your next meeting, professional training day or parent group?
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute is proud to offer workshops and seminars on a wide variety of topics.
Topics can include:
- Post Secondary Options for Students with Developmental Disabilities
- The Basics of an IEP
- Navigating the System (early intervention through adult services)
- The Keys to a Smooth Transition into Adult Life
- Public Policy and Advocacy: A How-to Guide for Families
- Promoting Self-Advocacy
- Overview of Developmental Disabilities
All workshops are customizable to fit your group's needs. Visit our
website
for more information.
|
|
Where Will Your Child Transition This Month?
|
Transitions from one life setting to another are challenging, complicated events for most people. However, these challenges may be magnified for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Each month we will share information about how you can help your loved one plan ahead.
______________________________________________
Going to the Theatre
A sensory friendly environment can be a lifeline to families that have a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. T
heaters across the country have begun to host sensory friendly showings of popular plays for children and adult audiences. Contact your local theater and ask if they have any sensory friendly showings planned.
Additional Resources:
|
New Go Bag: Assistive Technology
What's In Your Go Bag? Go Bags were created to help you be the best ADVOCATE you can be for your loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. A Go Bag is a simple collection of necessary resources about a specific topic. The topics will vary but the message is the same. Be Prepared!
Our
newest Go Bag
features resources to help you access assistive technology for your loved one and includes resources to help you obtain these supports through your child's IEP.
|
|
Do You Need More Help Navigating the System?
|
Are you a caregiver, individual or professional in need of help navigating the system? The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute can assist you regardless of the individual's age. Click HERE to submit a Problem Intake Form online or download the Problem Form HERE and email it to [email protected].
|
|
ESSA Public Listening and Learning Session
|
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was passed by the U.S. Congress last year and signed into law on December 10, 2015. The ESSA replaces No Child Left Behind and is the latest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), enacted in 1965, is the nation's national education law and shows a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.
ESEA authorizes state-run programs for eligible schools and districts eager to raise the academic achievement of struggling learners and address the complex challenges that arise for students who live with disability, mobility problems, learning difficulties, poverty, or transience, or who need to learn English.
Press Release By: The New Jersey Department of Education
Publish On:
September 2, 2016
______________________________________________
ESSA is the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which is the 1965 federal law designed to ensure equal educational opportunities and access for all students. The law is periodically reauthorized, or amended-in 2002 with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and again in December of 2015 with the passage of ESSA. The federal law applies to states and school districts, and includes requirements about how the NJDOE must report information about its schools, assess school performance, and determine which schools need additional support to meet students' needs. The law also establishes how federal funding authorized in the law (over $20 billion annually) is distributed to states and school districts.
|
|
Join the Conversation Online
|
The Family Institute:
Planning For Adult Life:
|
The role of a sibling in the life of a person with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) is as complex as it is meaningful. Many of us at The Arc of New Jersey and our local county chapters know firsthand what it's like to grow up with a family member with I/DD. We understand and share the vision you have for a healthy independent life for your sibling.
For more information on how to support the siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disability, visit our Sibling Support website HERE.
|
|
Employment: How to Access Support Services
|
Adult Training Programs and Supported Employment at The Arc of Gloucester County
The Arc of Gloucester's Adult Training Services serve individuals with a wide range of abilities, from those requiring total care, to those capable of working in a supported employment environment.
The Arc of Gloucester has four Adult Training Sites that focus on practical arts, personal awareness and social skills.
The Arc's Supported Employment program assists individuals in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment.
|
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute needs your help!
We are looking to expand our list of
support groups offered in New Jersey.
If you know of a support group that could offer help or guidance to i
ndividuals with a disability, p
arents, caregivers or s
iblings,
please click
HERE to submit your Support Group's information.
|
Understanding Gift Taxes
Last month we started talking about Gift Taxes. This month we will answer some questions about this important topic.
Why Did Congress Pass a Gift Tax?
Following the passage of the estate tax, Congress realized that a gift tax is also necessary. If there were no gift tax, creative CPAs and estate attorneys would urge their clients to make deathbed gifts. Rather than waiting until they pass away and paying estate tax, if there were no gift tax the transfer tax could be entirely avoided by making death-bed gifts.
As a result, Congress determined that it needed to pass a gift tax in order to make the estate tax effective. Now, even if a person makes gifts on their death-bed the tax will be payable on the transfer to children.
How Does a Gift Tax Work?
A person who makes gifts to children, grandchildren or other heirs will be taxed on the fair market value of the gift. The first part of the gift is allocated to the annual exclusion. But if the gift is more than that amount, then the cumulative gifts over the donor's lifetime are added up and compared with the lifetime gift exemption. If your total gifts (over annual exclusions) during your lifetime exceed the gift exemption, then you must pay gift tax.
If you have any questions about the information provided or if you would like to talk about making a gift, please contact us at [email protected].
|
Great Work Happening! There are a lot of changes taking place in the service systems for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Families need a place to go to get up-to-date, accurate information and assistance with issues and problems. That place is The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute.
|
|
OUR SUCCESS
Each month more than 225 families and professionals contact The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute looking for information and assistance. Our dedicated staff make sure that they understand the system and get the help they need.
|
OUR SERVICES
In addition to one-to-one advocacy, we offer a wide variety of resources for families caring for a loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including: * Webinars * Podcasts * Fact sheets * Workshops * Trainings * Go-bags * Printed materials * and more!
|
|
|
HELP US GROW THE ARC OF NEW JERSEY FAMILY INSTITUTE!
 Your donation to The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute will ensure this vital program will continue to help the thousands of New Jersey families struggling to care for their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donate $100, $50 or even $25 to help make a difference today!
|
|
_________________________________________________________
|
|
|
Other Ways to Give
Do you shop on Amazon.com? Now those shopping trips can benefit The Arc of New Jersey all year round!
It's simple to set up.
- Log into your Amazon account through www.smile.amazon.com.
- When prompted, choose "The Arc of New Jersey Inc." as your charity of choice and Amazon.com will donate a portion of your purchase amount to us, at no extra cost to you.
You Can Also Donate Your Car!
Donate your car, van, truck, boat or recreational vehicle! You get a tax deduction and The Arc of New Jersey gets a donation. Simply click on the link below, fill out an online form and select The Arc of New Jersey as the donation recipient. Within 1-2 business days, a representative will be in touch to arrange for towing at no charge.
Learn More HERE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
