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

January brought us a New Year and also a new Governor, Lt. Governor and Legislative Session
with a host of new representatives in Trenton. Phil Murphy and Sheila Oliver were sworn in as
Governor and Lt. Governor and the Legislature began its 218th Session. Senate President
Sweeney will continue to lead the Senate while the Assembly welcomed a new Speaker:
Assemblyman Craig Coughlin. We are excited to work with the new

EdgeUcation

Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools under Section 504
What rights do students with disabilities have in Public Charter  schools?

Mission to Transition

What is the ABLE Act?
On December 21, 2014, the ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life Experience) was signed into federal law by President Obama.

The ABLE Act will allow families to save for a loved one's long-term needs, via 529-style savings accounts, without jeopardizing an individual's eligibility for critical federal entitlement programs like Medicaid. ABLE accounts can be used for future expenses related to things like transportation, housing, employment support, and assistive technology. 

Chat With Us

The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute is always looking for new ways to connect with and support families. With that in mind, we've introduced a new feature to our  web site that will allow families to chat directly with the Institute's Director Lisa Ford and its Coordinator Cheryl Crick. If you are in need of assistance, come chat with us throughout February at the following days and times: Monday,  Tuesday and Wednesdays  from 11 am to 1 pm. 

The chat box is located on the right hand side of the homepage. Not able to chat? Send an email to thefamilyinstitute@arcnj.org .
Email Updates

Missed an email? Catch up by clicking the picture below.
Navigating the System

The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care program, which advocates for quality health care for people with  intellectual and developmental disabilities, has created a new "Non-DAC" fact sheet.  This fact sheet addresses how a "Non-DAC" status allows some students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), who are not eligible for Medicaid, to receive DDD services.

Click to download fact sheet
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Do You Need 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. 
Request a Speaker
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. To s ee a list of presentation topics, click HERE.
Road to Employment

The Arc of Mercer  County's  Vocational Training Services
The Arc Mercer offers comprehensive employment training in a variety of vocational fields. Their  training offerings are specifically designed to maximize each individual's potential.  Individuals receive training and guidance from a dedicated team of professionals whose primary focus is the advancement of those we serve.  This team tracks the progress, monitors the goals and provides supports needed to ensure that each individual achieves his or her goals.

The Arc Mercer offers different training   opportunities  including: Janitorial, Mail, Shipping and Receiving, shArc Document Destruction, Enterprises and Touch of Taste Food Service.

The Arc of New Jersey | 732.246.2525 | thefamilyinstitute@arcnj.org | www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org | 985 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902