~ Equal Justice ~

A Newsletter for the Disability and
Criminal Justice Communities
Dear Colleagues and Friends: The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program of The Arc of New Jersey has created this newsletter to bring information to you when we are not able to conference and train in person, full of links, articles and information to help you work with people with I/DD. Our hope is that this newsletter can keep you apprised of many of the issues that we have worked on together and will continue to address as we go forward. 
Highlighted in this Issue:

  • Equal Justice Talks Current Webinars
  • Webinar #2- October 15th "Changing the System to Improve the Response to Victims of Sexual Assault with I/DD"

  • Webinar #3- November 19th "Alternatives to Incarceration: A District Attorney's Office Program for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"

  • The Arc National 2020 Conference
  • Hosted virtually October 26, 2020 - October 28, 2020

  • Community Health Law Project
  • Nominations for the Ann Klein Advocates Award

  • Preventing People with I/DD from Becoming Offenders, Suspects, and Inmates Webinar
  • Webinar hosted on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm eastern time

  • Elizabeth Kelley's Newsletter
  • What you eat can impact your mental health

  • Spectrum360 - Spectrum of Options Seminar
  • Autism, Puberty, and Sexuality: Behavioral Assessment and Education hosted on November 5, 2020

Equal Justice Talks Webinar Series:
Re-Imagining Criminal Justice Reform
for People with I/DD
CJAP's webinar series kicked off on September 17 with the first of this year's series which will be devoted to issues related to criminal justice reform. You can find the first webinar which we talked to the LRIDD, Legal Reform for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, founder Brian Kelmar and Jude Harrison about the effective legislation they were able to move through the Virginia Legislature. Next, Pam Stafford, from The Arc of NM, will describe the work they are doing with victims of sexual assault who have developmental disabilities. In November, we will hear about the Rockland County NY District Attorney's Office diversion program for people with developmental disabilities.  Join us for the whole series and hear about some of the innovative work being done around the country and how we can all work together to improve the justice response to the disability community,  Below are the links to register for these no-cost, one-hour webinars filled with valuable information and great ideas.
Webinar #2​
Thursday, October 15, 2020
2 pm - 3 pm EST.
"Changing the System to Improve the Response to Victims of Sexual Assault with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"  Register Here
Please join us in this one hour presentation with guest speaker Pamela Stafford, Public Policy Director at The Arc of New Mexico for "Changing the System to Improve the Response to Victims of Sexual Assault with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities." Her presentation will discuss how this Arc Chapter is promoting systems changes through legislative initiatives, training and direct services for victims with IDD, focusing on their victims' advocacy training and the challenges and successes these initiatives have brought.
Webinar #3
​ Thursday, November 19, 2020
2 pm - 3 pm EST.
"Alternatives to Incarceration: A District Attorney's Office Program for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"  Register Here
Join us to hear Judy Rosenthal, Program Director for the Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled Offender Alternative to Incarceration (IDDATI) Program, run by the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, discuss the ongoing success of this program in targeting people with IDD who become involved in the criminal justice system. As one of their alternatives to incarceration programs, the IDDATI program is a multi-disciplinary process aimed at organizing services to keep individuals safely in the community. 
2020 National Convention

Learn From The Best in the Disability Community!

This conference will be held virtually this year from Oct 26 – Oct 28. Registration is free!

The Arc’s National Convention is an unmatched opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

The Council of Self-Advocates will be holding a session on interactions with law enforcement and “fireside chat” networking events will be offered on criminal justice-related issues, including one on creating safe and inclusive communities and preventing hate crimes.
Community Health Law Project
Ann Klein Advocated Award
Nominations due by October 17th!
Preventing People with I/DD from Becoming Offenders, Suspects, and Inmates Webinar

This is a 90-minute online workshop for anyone who works with professionals, administrators, self-advocates, parents, etc. We use Zoom, a video conference platform to deliver the workshop. There will be opportunity for questions and live engagement with the presenters.

Workshop Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm eastern time (please note your time zone)
How What You Eat Impacts
Your Mental Health

There is research that suggests that what we eat may not only affect our physical health but can have an impact on our mental health as well. We tend to separate the brain from the rest of our bodies, but we should look at good health from a holistic approach and treat our entire body well.

The Science
The connection between diet and mental health comes from what is known as "second brain," the connection between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract. Your GI tract is the home to billions of bacteria that have an influence on the production of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that carry messages from the gut to the brain. Dopamine is an example of a neurotransmitter.

When you eat healthy food, you encourage the production of good bacteria in your gut. This good bacteria positively affects the production of neurotransmitters. If you only eat junk food, then you will suffer from inflammation, which will have a negative effect on the production of neurotransmitters. Your emotions will reflect this negativity. Sugar is a major culprit. If you stick to a diet of healthy food, you can reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety and eliminate mood fluctuations.
Spectrum of Options Seminar: Autism, Puberty, and Sexuality: Behavioral Assessment and Education
What is the Spectrum of Options Seminar Series?
Each year Spectrum360’s Spectrum of Options Seminars presents a free series of seminars about topics relevant to individuals with autism, behavioral and related disabilities. Seminars are given by well-known professionals who are experts in their fields and cover a range of issues affecting various ages and stages of development. These seminars are open to interested families and professionals in the general community as well as Spectrum360 families and staff. General CEUs are available for professionals in attendance.

Hosted on November 5, 2020
This program is made possible through funding by
the New Jersey State Bar Foundation