In this Week's Edition
News
Senate Passes Infrastructure Bill
and 10-Year Budget Resolution,
Including Housing Investments
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CSH Policy Recommendations Following
Senate Passage of $1.2T Infrastructure Bill
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NLIHC Creates Checklist to
Help States Evaluate Emergency
Rental Assistance Programs
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Office of Management and Budget Shares
Study Data on Equity Across Federal Agencies
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Converting Hotels and Motels
into Housing with COVID Funds
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Newark to Create or Preserve 6,600 Affordable Units, Report Confirms More is Needed
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DDD Update:
New Executive Order for
Congregate Staff to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination or Weekly Testing
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Bergen County Re-opens Emergency
Rental and Utility Assistance (ERAP)
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NJ Human Services Announces
Wireless Devices Pilot Program for
Eligible Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
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nTIDE July 2021 Jobs Report:
Employment Slows as
Pandemic Restrictions Loom
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Registration Now Open!
Join SHA's Awards and Conference
Sept 27th, Nov 9th and Nov 10th
Resources & Virtual Forums
Job Fair for Veterans
August 13, 2021
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Coordinating HHS Housing-Related Supports and Services with HUD Housing Assistance
August 16, 2021
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NAMI NJ - From Denial to Accountability: Addressing Systemic Barriers
in Diversity within Mental Health Care
August 17, 2021
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Whole-Person Care for People Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorder
August 17, 2021
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Regional Event with Resources for
Veterans in Atlantic City
September 8, 2021
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Access To Recovery (ATR) Prepares
National Symposium on Working Recovery
September 14, 2021
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Community-Based Health and Wellness Resource Events - 2021 Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festival Tour
September - October
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
1:00–3:00PM via Zoom
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
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Save the Date
National Disability Forum
Equity in SSA Programs:
Hidden Barriers
September 15, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Details to follow
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Save the Date!
NJ DMHAS
Opioid Summit
September 21-22, 2021
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Sept. 22, 2021 | 6-9:30pm
Wilshire Grand Hotel
West Orange, NJ
RSVP by August 31, 2021
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Save the Date!
September 27, 2021
SHA Supportive Housing Awards Reception
The Palace - Somerset, NJ
Save the Date!
November 9-10, 2021
SHA 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference
Virtual Event
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Save the Date!
Virtual Celebration
September 28, 1-5 pm ET
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Registration Open
Virtual Event
September 29th & 30th
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New Jersey Division of Disability Services Job Opening
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The NJ Division of Disability Services has a new job opening for a Program Manager I. This position will work to expand and oversee the Disability Health and Wellness Unit and will also oversee the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. The posting is open until August 26th. Please see the attached job posting for details.
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2021
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Senate Passes Infrastructure Bill and 10-Year Budget Resolution, Including Housing Investments
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The Senate voted 69-30 to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, (Washington Post) sending the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to the House. The bill would provide nearly $550 billion in new federal spending on physical infrastructure. It would invest $65 billion in broadband infrastructure, $49 billion in public transit, $47 billion in infrastructure resilience and $21 billion in environmental remediation, among other investments. The passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package clears the way for the FY22 budget process.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) also recently released a budget resolution (Associated Press) for a ten-year, $3.5 trillion spending package, under which Congressional committees will work to draft the detailed legislative changes and program spending. At the time of publishing, the Senate voted 50-49, along party lines, to approve the budget resolution for a ten-year, $3.5 trillion spending package. The spending package also includes a combined $332 billion toward housing and transportation.
Advocates including NLIHC's HoUSed Campaign continue to push for top priorities such as expanding rental assistance, providing $70 billion to preserve public housing, and investing $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund.
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CSH Policy Recommendations Following
Senate Passage of $1.2T Infrastructure Bill
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Following the Senate passage of the 1.2 Trillion infrastructure bill, CSH has gathered the policy recommendations below for the Biden Administration to address the over 1.1 million people with extremely low incomes living in unbearable poverty who need supports to access and maintain housing. These recommendations were built on the CSH National Needs Assessment and your support is needed to contact you elected leaders and keep progress moving forward.
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- Develop guidance for communities on how to layer the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to lower the Area Media Income (AMI) to 0-15% from 0-30%
- Set national supportive housing production targets for new Project-Based Rental Assistance funding
- Improve public housing agency (PHA) administrative rates for Project Based Vouchers (PBV)and Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) dedicated to supportive housing. This will incentivize and support the additional cost of managing the required service and referral partnerships
- Provide clear guidance to communities on how emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) can be used to help people that are ready to Move On from existing supportive and affordable housing, promote social mobility and free up limited resources for others with deeper needs
- Instruct HHS to provide guidance and support on how states can create tenancy support benefits through 1915 and 1115 waiver structures. This could include demonstrations that make competitive allocations to states that use Recovery Plan and Jobs Plan Act funds to bridge to sustainable Medicaid funded supports
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NLIHC Creates Checklist to Help States
Evaluate Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
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Also, look for NLIHC’s new ERA1 spending tracker on the Treasury ERA Dashboard! NLIHC tracks data on ERA1 funds approved or paid to households from all 50 state ERA programs, D.C.’s ERA program, and nearly 300 local ERA programs. Additional data points and disaggregated spending and other data from state and local programs with ERA dashboards can be found here.
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Office of Management and Budget Shares
Study Data on Equity Across Federal Agencies
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In accordance with an executive order from President Biden, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released the results of a study undertaken to identify strategies for assessing equity across federal agencies with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. The study reviews the types of expertise needed to conduct equity assessments, explores promising equity assessment practices, offers approaches to design agency equity assessments, and provides analyses of activities used by federal agencies at key points in time to support their final equity assessment products.
In recognition of the wide variety of agencies, policies and community needs engaged by federal activity, the report determines that Administrative burden increases the issues of inequity and that a long-term change management dedicated strategy is necessary for sustainability. The use of multiple, simultaneous methods to assess equity in federal contexts is ideal. In addition, the report recommends using:
- Cross functional agency equity teams to lead assessments
- Prioritizing high value agency services for evaluation
- Integrating equity into agency planning and goal structures
- Making a range of investments in the personnel infrastructure required to advance equity within agencies
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Converting Hotels and Motels
into Housing with COVID Funds
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Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous states and localities have successfully expanded their housing capacity by leveraging federal, state, local, and philanthropic funds to rapidly acquire and convert hotel and motel properties into permanent housing. A new series of case studies shows how these projects got off the ground at both the program-level and project-level.
The case studies outline some of the most noteworthy hotels-to-housing initiatives across the country. Each document includes an overview of the funding sources that were implemented, the administrative approach that guided the initiative, and the overall project development process. They also include an assessment of the key success factors and the major lessons learned for each effort. The studies include initiatives in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont.
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Newark to Create or Preserve 6,600 Affordable Units, Report Confirms More is Needed
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A 2021 study by Rutgers Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity (CLiME) addressed the housing gap in Newark's affordable rental stock titled, "Homes Beyond Reach: An Assessment and Gap Analysis of Newark's Affordable Rental Stock." The study estimates that the City needs an additional 16,234 units renting for about $750 per month to meet residents' existing needs. CLiME’s approach to assessing affordability is rooted in the local context. They calculated a Newark Median Affordable Rent (NMAR) of $763 per month. This is $330 less than Newark’s median market rent, and more than $600 less than Fair Market Rent (FMR), created by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They also developed a methodological innovation to integrate the City’s rental housing subsidies into the affordability analysis. This procedure provides a much closer picture of affordability in a City where at least 28% of all units are subsidized.
Unit size matters. Newark’s housing stock of studio and one-bedrooms is more affordable than the City’s stock of larger units. CLiME found that 37% of studios and one-bedrooms are affordable to typical renter households, compared to just 25% of two-bedroom units, and 22% of larger units. An overriding explanation for why the City’s smaller units are more affordable is because of the extra support they receive from rental subsidy programs. The largest gap in affordable units is for units with two-or-more bedrooms. The data estimate suggests that the City needs an additional 8,706 two-bedroom units, and 5,893 units with three or more bedrooms, renting for $750 or less to meet the affordability needs of Newark renters.
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DDD Update: New Executive Order for Congregate Staff
to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination or Weekly Testing
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Governor Murphy announced that all workers in certain state and private health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable populations who have been hardest hit during the pandemic.
The Governor released Executive Order 252 outlining the details of the new vaccine requirement. Licensed community residences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury (for example, group homes and supervised apartments), certified Day Programs for individuals with I/DD and TBI, and Intermediate Care Facilities (for example, Developmental Centers) are settings that must be in compliance with mandatory staff vaccinations and testing by Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
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Bergen County Re-opens Emergency
Rental and Utility Assistance (ERAP)
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New Tenant Applications Accepted Until August 31, 2021
For assistance with applying, contact the ERAP call center at 855-203-6952 or Greater Bergen Community Action at 201-464-8970
Bergen County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is here to help prevent homelessness and pay your landlord.
- Bergen County’s ERAP will pay up to 12 months of owed back rent dating back to March 2020.
- There is NO MAXIMUM rent cap on funding award.
- Payments are ONLY MADE DIRECT TO LANDLORDS and/or PROPERTY MANAGERS.
- Tenants must start the application process, so please TENANTS APPLY to get APPROVED!!
The Bergen County Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (ERAP), is meant to help low income residents who have experienced a loss of income or financial hardship since March 2020 due to COVID-19. Bergen County tenants behind on rent and utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic could receive up to a year’s worth of assistance for back rent and gas and electric expenses under this program. Applications for rental assistance are available now and until August 31, 2021 at www.BergenCountyCARES.org.
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NJ Human Services Announces Wireless Devices Pilot Program for Eligible Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
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(TRENTON) – Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman today announced that the Department has launched a pilot program offering wireless devices to eligible deaf and hard of hearing New Jersey residents. This program is being administered by Human Services’ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) and will supply a limited number of wireless devices to eligible deaf and hard of hearing residents so they are able to access critical information, services and supports being delivered virtually through online platforms. This includes telehealth services, emergency information, telecommunications, and other vital communication needs.
For eligible applicants, devices are free of charge. The supply of devices is limited and subject to availability and funding. Devices currently available are two tablets, the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite, and two smartphones, the Apple iPhone XR and Google Pixel 4a. Individuals eligible for the pilot program must have an annual income of less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, meaning that for a family of two, the income limit is $69,680. For a family of three, the limit is $87,840, and for a family of four the new income limit is $106,000.
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a New Jersey resident.
- Have a documented hearing loss verified through either an audiogram signed by a licensed audiologist; or a Certification of Disability attached to the application signed by a licensed audiologist, physician, or other professional verifying applicant’s hearing loss.
- Information supplied on the application must be clearly printed. The form must be signed by the applicant.
- Total combined household income must be less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which is based on the number of members in the household.
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nTIDE July 2021 Jobs Report:
Employment Slows as Pandemic Restrictions Loom
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National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report shows slowing of job gains as pandemic continues.
East Hanover, NJ – According to the August 6th report, Economic indicators flattened following the sharp rises seen in June, with minor declines for people with disabilities and slight increases for people without disabilities, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). If the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant causes the reinstatement of restrictions on business activity, a chilling effect is likely on upcoming job numbers.
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Registration Now Open!
Join SHA for the 23rd Annual
Supportive Housing Conference
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Get the best of both worlds for our 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference with an in-person awards reception and virtual workshop and keynote experiences. Save on registering with Early Bird Pricing before September 24th. Save even more when you register 3 or more together on the same order and get 25% off your entire purchase!
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September 27, 2021
The Palace – Somerset, NJ
Join us this September at The Palace as we celebrate our honorees during the 2021 Supportive Housing Awards Reception. Attendees will have opportunities to reconnect, speak with sponsoring partners, and network over refreshments before honoring our 2021 Award recipients.
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November 9, 2021
November 10, 2021
Join us this November from the comfort of your computer as we provide two half-days of excellent workshop presentations and discussions. Registered attendees won't miss a moment as all sessions will be recorded and accessible to attendees for 3-months following.
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Resources & Virtual Forums
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Friday, August 13, 2021 | 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Attend the upcoming Job Fair for veterans hosted by the New Jersey Reentry Corporation. The event will be held at 51 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102.
Job opportunities include: Medical Tech, Nurse Aide, Home Aide, HVAC, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Solar Panel Installation, Plumbing Assistant and Building Maintenance, CISCO Certification, Automotive Technology
To register, please call Duneshka De Jesus at (201) 589 – 3613.
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Coordinating HHS Housing-Related
Supports and Services with HUD Housing Assistance
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This webinar series will introduce Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), Continuums of Care (CoCs), and other housing stakeholders to U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opportunities that fund and provide housing-related supports and services. Each webinar will provide information on partnership opportunities and on-the-ground examples of successful approaches to pairing HHS agency resources with HUD housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness, including the 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) awarded by HUD to PHAs through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
The series will introduce HHS opportunities and resources offered by:
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Training Objectives
Attendees will be equipped to:
- Identify available HHS resources that fund and cover housing-related supports and services in their state and communities
- Locate their state and local agencies responsible for funding and delivering these resources
- Reach out and form partnerships to ensure successful referrals, lease-up, and ongoing tenancy
Who Should Attend?
This series will be informative for affordable housing stakeholders, including PHAs, CoCs, HUD Multifamily operators, affordable housing owners/operators, local funders, and community partners, who are looking to pair services with their housing subsidy to better serve clients experiencing homelessness.
The series will be particularly useful for CoCs and PHAs administering the EHV program; PHAs with a homeless admission preference; and PHAs with a special purpose voucher program such as Mainstream, Family Unification Program, HUD-VASH, etc.
Registration and Schedule
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ACF Resources for Housing Supportive Services
August 16, 2021 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM EDT
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NAMI NJ
From Denial to Accountability: Addressing Systemic Barriers in Diversity within Mental Health Care
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Join NAMI NJ this month to discuss Minority Mental Health. In this webinar, you will hear from distinguished speakers on some of the systemic barriers in our mental health care. The discussion will cover structural racism and how that impacts the access and quality of care that people receive. The dialogue will focus on how to shift systemic denial and oppression to create a truly inclusive environment that holds the organization accountable for equity. Minority communities deserve equitable and quality care everyday, not just during months like Minority Mental Health Month.
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Whole-Person Care for People Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorder
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August 25, 2021 | 3:00-4:30 pm ET
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a complex brain disease that may be present alongside or contribute to additional mental and physical health conditions, as well as social, legal, and other challenges including racism, isolation, and homelessness. Impacted individuals may be unable to access or obtain housing, health and/or behavioral health care, and recovery support services. Join us as we introduce the Whole Person Care for People Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit, a new resource to support and assist people experiencing homelessness and OUD with a whole-person care approach that supports and facilitates the recovery journey and a fulfilling life in their communities.
Speakers:
- Steven Samra, Senior Associate, C4 Innovations
- Ken Kraybill, MSW, Senior Trainer, C4 Innovations
- Panel discussion with peers and persons with lived expertise
Details
This webinar will be recorded for those not able to attend the live event.
ASL Interpretation and closed captioning will be available during the webinar. Certificates of participation will be provided for those who complete the evaluation survey. HHRC will not provide CEUs for this webinar.
C4 Innovations contributed to the development of this webinar.
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Regional Event with Resources for
Veterans in Atlantic City
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Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pat Tatum – Veteran Outreach, and Bob Looby, Chairman, Employment, Homeless & Education Committee, National Employment & Homeless Commission, The American Legion, Department of New Jersey, NJ Veterans Service Council Member are spreading the word on the Veterans Regional Stand Down in Atlantic City on September 8, 2021 from 10 am – 3 pm.
NOTE: Questions or Comments should be addressed to:
Pat Tatum (609) 703-2467 or Bob Looby (908) 894-0746
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Access To Recovery (ATR) Prepares
National Symposium Focusing on Working Recovery
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Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Celebrate Labor Day and National Recovery Month by joining world-renowned experts, including keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, for this special one-day online event focused on cutting-edge ideas to help people in early recovery.
The symposium will be offered at no charge and will include such sessions as:
• Answering the Why: What Does the Research Say About the Importance of Employment
to Recovery?
• Banding Together: Cross-Systems Collaboration Is Key
• Rally Employers: Now Is the Time to Advance “Recovery-Ready Workplaces”
• What We Do and How We Do It: A Groundbreaking Approach—The ATR Model for
Customized Employment Supports for People with Substance Use Disorders
• Call to Action: Next Steps to Carry Us Forward
Watch for registration information coming soon here:
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Save the Date – National Disability Forum
Equity in SSA Programs: Hidden Barriers
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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Platform - Microsoft Teams
Morning Session 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Afternoon Session 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
STAY TUNED: Additional details are forthcoming.
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Community-Based Health and Wellness Resource Events
2021 Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festival Tour
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Be sure to visit one of the three upcoming Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festivals (SHWV) being held throughout NJ in the coming months. Organized by Caresparc Consulting in conjunction with city officials, these FREE, 3-day community-based health and wellness festivals offer attendees baseline health screenings and consultations, expert-led educational presentations, information on practical lifestyle products and many other healthy and fun activities designed for all ages, such as live music performances, art demonstrations, group fitness activities and more. This year’s festivals were designed with careful attention to current CDC guidelines, including use of face coverings, physical distancing, and open-air pavilions.
Dates and locations as follows:
Please see attached flyers for more information and share widely.
Is your agency/program interested in having a table at the festivals? Contact Kevin Silvestri of Caresparc Consulting at: ksilvestrini@caresparc.com
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member, send donations, or shop with AmazonSmile. Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Diane Riley, Executive Director
Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager
Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager
Diane Klein, Conference Registrar
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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