The Family Advocate
December 2016
A Year in Review
Take a look back at our most popular articles of 2016. We at The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute would like to thank you for reading our newsletter each month and we appreciate your continued support. If you'd like more information about a particular topic, email us at [email protected]. Happy Holidays! 
Governmental Affairs Update
Families Highlight Caregiving Challenges at State House
To highlight and celebrate November as National Family Caregivers Month, family caregivers and The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute visited the State House the week of November 14th. Family members spoke with more than 40 legislators about the challenges associated with caring for a loved one with I/DD. This event gave families the opportunity to speak with elected officials about the importance of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the lives of their loved ones, and the growing DSP workforce crisis. Thank you to Assemblyman Gordon Johnson for presenting our families with a joint Senate/Assembly resolution recognizing family caregivers and this important awareness month. 

To see more pictures from the annual Family Caregiver event,  click here.
Event Calendars
Event Spotlight
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?
6 Options for Resolving an IEP Dispute (Reprinted from  July 2016) -  by  Andrew M.I. Lee   - Via  Understood.org  

There may come a time when you and your school district disagree over what's best for your child. Conflicts can arise over the amount or quality of services the school is providing in your child's   Individualized Education Program(IEP). 

The good news is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives you several ways to resolve disputes. Here are six options for resolving an IEP dispute.
Community Health Law Project Announces It Is Now Accepting New Clients Under a Division of Developmental Disability Contract
(Reprinted from August 2016)
Press Release From: Community Health Law Project

The Community Health Law Project announced that once again its attorneys and advocates can provide legal and advocacy assistance to individuals and families in the community who are receiving services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). The Community Health Law Project provides representation to residents of New Jersey through its five regional offices and four satellite offices.
 
Attorneys and advocates will provide representation and brief service in many civil law issues and in entitlement cases.  Assistance will be available in areas including:
  • Housing advocacy such as landlord-tenant disputes;
  • Public entitlements, including eligibility for SSI, SSDI, public assistance, and food stamps;
  • Medicaid, Medicare, and other healthcare issues such as managed care disputes;
  • Child support, visitation, domestic violence;
  • Barrier-free accessibility, American with Disabilities Act and New Jersey Law Against Discrimination matters;  
  • Surrogate decision making issues including wills, living wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, and uncontested guardianships (also limited guardianship and  conservatorship).

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. 
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Non-Driver Identification Card
(Reprinted from May 2016)
For many residents in New Jersey, a driver's license also serves as proof of identity. If your student does not plan on learning how to drive, you may want to consider helping them apply for a state  identification card.   Starting at age 14, New Jersey residents, regardless of disability, can apply for a non-driver photo identification card. The non-driver ID is 

Navigating the System
Respite: What is it and how to access it? (Reprinted from June 2016)
Respite care is a service meant to support the family. It provides unpaid caregivers with a temporary break from caring for a loved one. Research shows respite helps caregivers sustain their health and mental well being. It can help avoid or delay an out-of-home placement and can reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect. Studies show that respite may also reduce the likelihood of divorce. Respite provides a positive experience for 

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]. 
DSP Workforce Shortage Crisis
Join the Coalition for a Direct Support Professional Living Wage Today!
What is a Direct Support Professional (DSPs)?
DSPs are the individuals that work and support your loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) every day. However, despite the critical and complex work that they do, the average starting salary of a DSP is only $10.50 per hour. Due to the low salaries, DSPs often must receive public assistance and/or work multiple jobs. In addition, low wages make the hiring and retention of qualified DSPs very difficult. Families and individuals with I/DD who seek to hire DSPs for their loved one also struggle.

To ensure that a fully-staffed delivery system in New Jersey is created and maintained, DSPs must be paid a living wage. The Coalition for a DSP Living Wage is actively working toward achieving this goal. The Coalition is comprised of families, community provider agencies, Direct Support Professionals and, most importantly, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These members share a common belief that individuals with I/DD deserve to live rich and meaningful lives as fully integrated members of our communities. 
Join the Conversation Online
The Arc of New Jersey:
Facebook |  Twitter |  Vimeo

The Family Institute:
 
Planning For Adult Life:
Resources To Help You Navigate the System
  • Fact Sheets: The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute provides information on how best way to navigate the service delivery system and its changes. We do this through seminars, workshops, webinars, podcasts, how-to-guides and fact sheets.
  • County Roadmaps: County Roadmaps are a list of local, age-based resources that families can download and utilize when navigating the system.
  • Go Bags: The Go Bag was 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!
Employment: How to Access Support Services
New Jersey WorkAbility 

(Reprint from  March 2016 )
The  NJ WorkAbility Program  offers full New Jersey Medicaid health coverage to people with disabilities who are working, and whose earnings would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid. 

Eligible candidates must meet the following guidelines:
  • Be between the ages of 16 and 64
  • Work part time, full time or be self-employed and have proof of employment
  • Have a permanent disability as determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Disability Review Team at the Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services (DMAHS)
  • Have an earned income of no more than $60,625 per year (no more than $81,425 per year if an eligible couple--both with permanent disability, both working)
  • Have unearned income (pensions, child support, interest, etc.) less than $981 per month (less than $1,328 for eligible couples)
  • Have less than $20,000 in liquid assets (or less than $30,000 if an eligible couple)
For more information, call 888-285-3036.
Seeking Support Groups
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.
Planned Giving Corner
Living Trusts vs. Wills
As you think about your estate plans, you might want to consider whether those plans include a Living Trust or a Will. There are a number of factors to consider as to the benefits of establishing a Living Trust versus a Will.

To learn more about these two options,   click here. 

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].
Show Your Support
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!

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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.
  1. Log into your Amazon account through www.smile.amazon.com. 
  2. 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.
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