June 2020
The Arc Named to Governor's Advisory Council
Last month, Governor Phil Murphy named The Arc of New Jersey's Executive Director Tom Baffuto to the Governor's Restart and Recovery Advisory Council. The Council is charged with advising state leadership on economic matters impacted by COVID-19. Tom is serving on the Social Services and Faith Subcommittee and virtual meetings are already underway. We are very pleased to see the Administration is taking into account people with I/DD, their families and the community providers who serve them as they plan for life after the pandemic. It is an honor for The Arc to be named to this council and it will help to ensure the voice of those we represent is considered as the state makes critically-important decisions regarding New Jersey and its future. To continue reading, click here .
News You Can Use!
  • The Arc of NJ continues to post news and resources to our COVID-19 Updates & Information page. Make sure you check back often.
  • The Arc of NJ was featured in two great stories in the most recent edition of "People & Families" - a publication issued by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. One article highlights our ongoing efforts to promote Census participation and the other is about our recent 70th Anniversary. To read these items, click here.
  • The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) issued a policy permitting support persons to stay with hospitalized patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on April 25, and then an updated policy on May 12. Click here to view the most recent document.
  • The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) hosted a Facebook Live event last month to answer questions related to COVID-19. To view a recording of that event, click here.
  • DHS updated their Quick Guide for Families which now provides "condensed, easy-to-understand information from the policy manuals for both of the Division of Developmental Disabilities' Medicaid waiver programs, the Supports Program and the Community Care Program."
  • Governor Murphy released a "Standing Order" for testing in May. According to the Department of Human Services, this standing order is "essentially a universal prescription for a COVID-19 test so one is not needed from a doctor." It also "means that direct support professionals who work in group homes and the individuals they serve do not need to have symptoms or a prescription to be tested for COVID-19. It also means that individuals who reside at home with their families can be tested if they meet any of the criteria." To read the Standing Order, click here.
New Video Explains COVID-19 Test, What to Expect
  • Self-Advocate Barbara Coppens serves as the narrator for the video which was made in collaboration with The Arc of NJ's Mainstreaming Medical Care and Training and Consultation Services programs and the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project.
  • In an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, the Division of Developmental Disabilities is encouraging everyone with I/DD who receives services from the Division to be tested for COVID-19.  
In this time of technology, it is critically important that we explore all the mediums at our disposal in our mission to educate and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. It is our goal to help individuals with I/DD navigate this confusing and challenging time. Toward that end, we created this short video on the COVID-19 nasal swab test to better prepare individuals who may need to take the test, to set appropriate expectations of the experience and to remove fear and unnecessary worry about the process. Medical professionals have explained that although some people who are positive for COVID-19 have symptoms (including a high fever and a cough), others who have this virus are asymptomatic and do not have any symptoms at all.
Advocacy Needed: Tell Congress #WeAreEssential
The critical needs of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional (DSP) workforce must be included in the next coronavirus relief bill. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that includes many of our top asks – and now the Senate must act! You can read The Arc's statement on the latest bill here . Click this link to take action NOW.
Supporters Come Together Virtually for Annual Step Up Walks
Just because we all need to follow social distancing protocols, does not mean Chapters of The Arc are forgoing their spring Step Up events! The Arc of Essex County held their virtual 5K, 10K Half Marathon & 1-Mile Walk on April 25 and more than 300 runners, walkers, sponsors, and donors participated. In Sussex County, SCARC held their 18th Annual Gordon Shelton Memorial Walk-a-thon on May 17 and 49 teams took part in the event. Also in May, The Arc of Burlington County hosted their walk virtually and The Arc of Somerset County will ask walkers/runners to join them Monday, June 1 through Saturday, June 20 in support of their organization and those they serve.
Pictured from left to right: Lynn Barnes supports The Arc of Essex County during their Step Up event in April and the Sharicks participate in the annual SCARC event in May.
Events Rescheduled Due to COVID-19
Because of the Coronavirus, and the importance of social distancing and safety for all, The Arc of New Jersey is postponing some of our events that were originally scheduled to take place in 2020. This includes the 31st Annual Conference on Medical and Dental Care, originally scheduled for May 29, 2020. The new date is Friday, June 4, 2021. Additionally, The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project's Spring Into Action Luncheon has been postponed until April 17, 2021 and the Annual Fall Self-Advocacy Conference will take place September 25, 2021.
Criminal Justice Advocacy Program Starts Podcast
The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program (CJAP) of The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to bring you a new series of podcasts - The Equal Justice Talks Podcasts funded by the generous support of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. Over the next several months, CJAP will post podcast conversations with experts and professionals about a variety of topics, some related to the COVID-19 crisis and some about issues we need to continue discussing despite the current pandemic. Podcasts will also focus on social skills programming, healthy sexuality and many other interesting and pertinent topics. Please listen any time by clicking here .
DD Training Resources Site Adds COVID Items
DD Training Resources is an online database, funded by a grant from The NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities and run by The Arc of New Jersey's Family Institute. It provides a wide range of information about trainings and support resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout the State of New Jersey. In response to the recent health crisis, the site now includes a search field for COVID-19 related resources that individuals with I/DD and their families may find useful at this time. Check it out by clicking here.
Upcoming Webinars!

We've added additional webinars to help individuals with I/DD and their families during this difficult time. Register today and be sure to check out our calendar for other upcoming events.

Webinar - The Arc US: Know Your Rights as a Person with a Disability in the Criminal Justice System
Thursday, June 4 at 2 pm
People with disabilities have rights. Rights are a form of protection. They help people be treated fairly. People with disabilities have rights in the criminal justice system. This includes the right to equal access and the right to effective communication. This webinar will help attendees understand and advocate for their rights in the criminal justice system.

Webinar: Equal Justice Talks: "Police Use of Deadly Force as it Relates to People with Behavioral Issues"
Thursday, June 18 at 2 pm
Please join us for our next webinar discussion of "Police Use of Deadly Force as it Relates to People with Behavioral Health Issues" with guest speaker Professor Heather Cucolo, co-owner and partner, Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates.

Webinar - The Arc US: Emergency Planning: Preparing for the Unexpected
Thursday, June 18 at 2 pm
As we begin to come out of the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a time for reflection. How can we plan for crises and emergencies? Emergency planning is tough but important. Planning ahead can help ensure that you, your family, and people with disabilities know what to do when crises happen. Now more than ever, we are learning to adapt when we are isolated, the importance of pre-establishing key relationships in the community, and pre-planning for any emergency. Our webinar speaker will provide tips and strategies that people with disabilities, families, and disability professionals can use to help plan for when disasters strike. Many of our tips will be applicable to the current COVID-19 pandemic, but we also will provide strategies that you can use to prepare for different types of emergencies.

Webinar: An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): What it Means for Your Loved One
Tuesday, July 21 at 6 pm
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services. This webinar will provide an overview the ADA, how it relates to everyday life and what to do if you feel you or your loved ones right are being violated under the ADA.

Healthy at Home - a webinar series hosted by The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project - takes place every Tuesday at 2 pm.
The series covers a variety of topics related to self-advocacy and healthy living, and what you can do at home due to the current "stay at home" order. Live viewers can share comments and ask questions. To learn more, and to register for an upcoming webinar, click here.
A Message from The Arc of New Jersey
Thank you to all our generous donors who, over the past few weeks, have made donations to support us. These critical funds will help us in our efforts to assist individuals with I/DD and their families, as well as our local county chapters, through the COVID19 crisis. To put your donation to work for individuals with I/DD and their families,  click here.  If you have questions or need assistance, our staff is here to help.  Click here  to access information about our Programs.
Use Your Amazon App to Support The Arc of New Jersey
If you are an AmazonSmile customer, you can now support The Arc of New Jersey, Inc. in the Amazon shopping app on your Android device! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
  1. If you have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping App, open the App on your Android device.
  2. View Settings and select AmazonSmile.
  3. Follow the in-App instructions to complete the process.
If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon shopping App, update your App. Click   here   for instructions.
Need help or more information? Want to become active in our advocacy network?
  • Visit our website to access lots of great information that can help you navigate service systems, find resources and keep you informed as to the important issues facing children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

  • Join our advocacy network to add your voice to the thousands who are working hard to promote and protect the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Arc of New Jersey | 732.246.2525 | [email protected] | www.arcnj.org