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Governmental Affairs Update
By: Sharon Levine, Director of  Governmental Affairs and Communication

Throughout the month of May, The Arc of New Jersey continued to fight back against potential cuts to Medicaid included in the American Health Care Act (AHCA), while also advocating on the State level for increased wages for Direct Support Professionals. Following the passage of the AHCA in the House, Board President Bob Hage and incoming Board Member and The Arc Bergen & Passaic Chairperson Carolyn Hayer spoke with US Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell about the American Health Care Act and the devastating

EdgeUcation

Travel Training in the IEP
Transportation provides us with access to the wider opportunities of society employment, postsecondary education, job training programs, recreation. Traveling by car, by cab, or by public transportation systems such as bus and subway enables us to go to work and come home, go to school, visit friends, take care of daily needs such as grocery shopping, and enjoy recreational activities.

Yet, many individuals with disabilities have traditionally been isolated from these societal opportunities, because they lacked a means of transportation. 

Mission to Transition

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center "Get Going" Guide
The below publication was downloaded from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's website ( www.nadtc.org ). This small personal pocket guide provides transit riders with tips on what to do if they find themselves unsure of how to proceed with their trip. 

Transportation Survey

The Arc of New Jersey in partnership with the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation is looking to speak with families and learn how adults with disabilities use different modes of transportation. 

The goal is to learn how transportation has helped or hindered the ability of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to get around.

To learn more about this transportation project and/or to participate, please email [email protected] or call Ashley at  732-743-8345.



Are You A Caregiver For Someone With A Co-occurring Developmental Disability and Mental Illness?
Caregivers frequently go above and beyond to ensure the well being of the loved one they are providing care to. However, they can sometimes lose sight of their own well being, and cumulative stress can take a toll on their health.

NAMI NJ is working with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (RUBHC) to gather stakeholder feedback in order to design and implement a family wellness support model focused on education and support for families of adults living with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental illness (DD/MI).

This pilot project is designed to tailor the program to the family and supporters of individuals living with DD/MI needs and evaluate the feasibility of this program. This project builds on the wellness focused self-care work of Dr. Swarbrick and Dr. Gould-Fougerite.

Project goals include:
  • Provide information about self-care skills necessary as a supporter of a family member living with DD/MI
  • Enhance caregiver wellness (healthy eating, sleeping and movement)
  • Enhance coping, resiliency and stress management skills
  • Increase access to community resources to enhance self-care skills 
Through stakeholder feedback supplemental media will be developed through this project to teach the family member with the DD/MI disabilities to use these strategies as coping mechanisms with their loved one as a shared activity.

Stakeholder meetings are taking place in June-
  • June 13- 12:30-4:30pm Training Room A 151 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway
  • June 22 - 12:30-4:30pm Training Room B & G151 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway
If you are a caregiver interested in participating in this project, please email [email protected] for more information.
Navigating the System

Top 6 Resources When Preparing to Travel This Summer    
  1. Webinar: You Can Take That Trip: Traveling with a Child with Special Needs
  2. How to Make New Jersey Beaches Accessible
  3. TSA Cares: TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.
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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. 

Looking for a speaker to attend your next meeting, professional day or parent group?


The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute provides  FREE presentations for families and professional staff looking to learn more about developmental disabilities and available supports and services. All of our presentations are customizable to fit your group's needs. 

Visit our "Request a Speaker" page for more information and for a list of topics.
Road to Employment

New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP)
The mission of the New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) is to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, older adults and others by empowering them to use the public transit system safely and independently. Since 2005, NJTIP has worked with a variety of government agencies, community organizations and schools to teach travel skills to more than 3,500 individuals.

Travel Instruction is a spectrum of services meant to teach safe independent travel skills on public transit: the bus, train, light rail, county and private systems. NJTIP customers learn how to read bus and train schedules; plan their trips; pay their fares; and take safety precautions.

The Arc of New Jersey | 732.246.2525 | [email protected] | www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org | 985 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902




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