January 2020
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute provides caregivers with the necessary resources and education to access the appropriate supports and services for their loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability.
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Governmental Affairs Update

The Legislature recently passed four pieces of legislation impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) that now await action by the Governor. These bills include:
  • A4608/S3099 which provides for the regulation and licensing of applied behavior analysts
  • S4139/A5751 which allocates $250,000 to the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine to help address the shortage of special-needs dentists who serve patients with physical disabilities and behavioral challenges.
  • A2705/S484 which revises the State’s newborn screening program and establishes a Newborn Screening Advisory Review Committee which would be authorized to make recommendations
Census Day is April 1, 2020!
How Will 2020 Census Data Be Used? Click the pictures below to find out!
2020 Census: A Guide for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Family - Click to Download
EdgeUcation

What are Think College Policy Advocates and how can you become one?
Think College and the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) are once again supporting the development of postsecondary education policy advocates by offering scholarships that will support teams to attend the 2020 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC.

If you or someone you know works for or attends a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability, you are qualified to apply!

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.
We welcome your feedback on our new DD Training Resources website!
Join the Coalition for a Direct Support Professional Living Wage Today

Direst Support Professionals (DSPs) make it possible for many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead lives in their communities. They provide personal care, social support, and physical assistance to individuals in a wide range of activities when needed. They work in a variety of settings including individual and family homes, group homes, supported apartments, schools, workplaces, recreational and fitness settings, etc. Currently, the need for DSPs exceeds the number of such professionals working in the field, and this workforce shortage is only expected to increase. New Jersey must address the workforce issues to ensure services will continue for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who depend on it.
Navigating the System

Disability Rights New Jersey
 provides services to people with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry or disability.
DRNJ provides:
  • information and referral,
  • technical assistance and training,
  • individual and system advocacy,
  • legal and non-legal advocacy, and
  • outreach and education.
Upcoming Events
Save the date and mark your calendar for these upcoming events. Click the picture to the left to visit our calendar.
Road to Employment
Selecting a Supported Employment Agency: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered
Selecting a Supported Employment Agency: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered is a guide for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities receiving services through New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities. The ability to evaluate programs and chose the agency that will provide the highest quality of service can be empowering for people with disabilities and their families. This guide provides an overview of best practices in supported employment so that individuals can select a service provider that will best support their employment goals.
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute | 732.828.2022 | thefamilyinstitute@arcnj.org