FAMILY RESOURCE ASSOCIATES NEWSLETTER
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Family Resource Associates (FRA)
helps children, adolescents and people of all ages with disAbilities to reach their fullest potential. FRA connects individuals to independence through specialized therapies and advanced technology. Acknowledging the powerful influence of the family, we remain committed to them by offering both support and education.
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DONATE TODAY!
Help us create possAbilities for people with disAbilities.
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By Nancy Phalanukorn, Executive Director
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#FRACares
As we welcome the arrival of spring, we are grateful for longer days and warming temperatures. In our 40 years FRA has had to navigate rough waters and trying times. Our community of supporters coupled with our resiliency and adaptability has always gotten us through and strengthed us. The situation with COVID-19 is no different. Yes, there are challenges but we are offering new opportunities by instituting remote learning for all of our services. Our students, infant families and job seekers can continue to make strides and stay engaged from home.
Despite the current cloud of uncertainty, FRA has grown tremendously this past year. Our recent expansion of services and our beautiful new building offer many opportunities to the community. Remarkably, we are now helping almost 250 babies a week who have delays and disabilities, with nearly 60 professional providers. Our Pre-Vocational program has grown from 5 to 8 daily classes for adults with disabilities interested in learning employment skills. Our space has hosted educational and social events for families, caretakers, and the community.
I hope you caught the Pop-Up Art Show or Dr. Skotko’s Brain Training, both held last month. Growing for the future, FRA’s new EmployAbility services have already helped over 80 adults become employed or they are on their way to finding meaningful work, thanks to 13 new specialty employees. Project SEARCH, with our first cohort of eight interns receiving training at Monmouth Medical Center, our host and partner, will still gain transformational employment skills, virtually.
As our world deals with this whirlwind health crisis FRA knows we must rely on each other more than ever. Stay vigilant and remember that with FRA the PossAbilities are endless!
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Monmouth Medical Center Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is a 10-month internship program for people with disabilities who are in their last year of school through early adulthood. This program is targeted to those whose goal is competitive employment.
The program takes place at Monmouth Medical Center where total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process, as well as the acquisition of marketable, employment and work place skills.
Applications for Monmouth Medical Center Project SEARCH are due March 31, 2020. For more information contact Phillip Duck at employability@frainc.org or call 732-747-5310, ext.
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FRA has an exceptional staff of nearly 60 professionals employed in our early intervention program who are well experienced in early childhood development. Many have advanced degrees and are fully certified in their professions. Our team includes physical therapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, special educators, child development specialists, social workers, teachers of the deaf, and autism specialists.
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Karate is one of the many wellness programs offered by FRA. Team Achieve aims to bring the best out in each student through this fun and social learning opportunity. Through karate instruction, Master Jay teaches students focus, balance, strength and confidence. To learn more, please
click here.
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FRA provides engaging, interactive Adult Education classes led by professional and compassionate instructors, who cover a wide range of topics suitable for adults with cognitive disabilities interested in exploring employment.
Jennifer Lindsay, lead teacher for FRA’s Pre-Vocational program, is celebrating 10 years with FRA.
“This was my first job out of college,”
Lindsay said.
“Now, 10 years later, I never want to leave! I love what FRA stands for and how our organization truly cares about people with special needs.”
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Siblings of children with special needs are invited to join Toby’s Friends Sibling Support Groups at FRA
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Siblings of children with special needs often have a lot of questions and concerns, and FRA groups provide an opportunity for children to safely explore these feelings with children in similar situations. Monthly group sessions combine art, storytelling and role playing as tools for talking about differences and solving challenges.
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FRA’s 39
th
Annual Golf Classic
Monday July 13, 2020 at Navesink Country Club
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FRA offers ongoing classes to the general public to help make technology easier to use!
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