In this Week's Edition
News
SHA Testifies During
DHS Budget Listening Session
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HOME ARP Focuses Funds on Housing
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PD&R Edge Article:
Using Healthcare Payors
To Fill the Affordable Housing Gap
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SAMHSA Announces $30M
Harm Reduction Grant to Help Address Substance Use and Overdose Epidemic
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NAEH Survey Results Examines
Impact of Emergency Housing Vouchers
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Honoring International
Day of People with Disabilities
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CDC Finds Autism Prevalence
Higher in ADDM Network
Improvements Being Made In
Identifying Children With Autism Early
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nTIDE November 2021 Jobs Report:
Employment Gains Continue
for People with Disabilities
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DHS Office of Licensing
Updates Application for Licensure
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Thank you for an Excellent
23rd Annual Conference!
Share Feedback and Access Sessions
Resources & Virtual Forums
Free Hybrid Conference
Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey:
Healing Communities & Connecting Voices
December 9-10, 2021
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Trainings from the NJ Division on Civil Rights
December 2021 - February 2022
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There Has To Be A Better Way To Create Shared Housing Opportunities
December 15, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
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Mark Your Calendar
Meeting Dates now posted on SHA Website for 2022 Member and Developer Meetings.
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Thank you to all
who attended this year's conference.
All attendees can
access on-demand
three months
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2021 |
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SHA Testifies During DHS Budget Listening Session |
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Diane Riley, SHA Executive Director, testified with other advocates before Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman and DHS leaders on Tuesday during the listening session for the development of the FY'22/FY'23 Budget. The testimony emphasized the need to increase payment standards for Supportive Housing Connection vouchers, the need for adequate service rates and the importance of increasing staff wages at all levels but especially for front line staff and immediate supervisors.
SHA commended the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) for their recently proposed investments in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) afforded by the American Rescue Plan and the funds for the development of Healthy Homes. The proposal recognizes that the lack of affordable housing is a health barrier to many of New Jersey’s Medicaid beneficiaries and has taken steps to address this obstacle.
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HOME ARP Focuses Funds on Housing |
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The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides $5 billion through the HOME-ARP program to HOME Participating Jurisdictions (PJs). In collaboration with other community stakeholders, HOME PJs can use the funding to make targeted, strategic investments in housing and other assistance for people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations.
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Don't miss next week's important webinar from CSH as they review updates from HUD that can prioritize and accelerate supportive housing development through HOME ARP funding.
Thursday, December 16, 2021 - 1:30pm EST
CSH Webinar on HOME ARP Funding
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PD&R Edge Article:
Using Healthcare Payors
To Fill the Affordable Housing Gap
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Despite the strong relationship between housing and health outcomes, access to quality health care and affordable housing often have been treated as separate goals. Some practitioners think this perception is starting to change, however, as an increasing number of hospitals and health insurance companies realize the ways in which housing conditions affect their patients and have moved to finance permanent supportive housing for those in need.
On October 20, 2021, Enterprise Community Partners hosted a virtual panel, “Filling the Capital Stack: How Health Care Payors Can Help Fill the Affordable Housing Gap,” to discuss how this housing finance model can work, focusing on one development in Mississippi. The discussion, moderated by Mary Elizabeth Evans, a housing manager at the nonprofit Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GHCP), included speakers from the public, philanthropic, housing, and healthcare sectors.
The assembled speakers discussed the 76-unit senior living community, the Pearl, in Jackson, Mississippi, as an example of this financing model. Additional points in this article reviewed:
- How Housing Impacts Health
- Bringing Healthcare Payors to the Table
- Making the Model Scalable
(HUD USER PD&R Edge, December 7, 2021)
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SAMHSA Announces $30M Harm Reduction Grant
to Help Address Substance Use and Overdose Epidemic
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the first-ever SAMHSA Harm Reduction grant program and expects to issue $30 million in grant awards. This funding, authorized by the American Rescue Plan, will help increase access to a range of community harm reduction services and support harm reduction service providers as they work to help prevent overdose deaths and reduce health risks often associated with drug use. SAMHSA will accept applications from State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, Tribal organizations, non-profit community-based organizations, and primary and behavioral health organizations.
With overdose deaths exceeding 100,000 over a 12-month period for the first time, this funding opportunity will provide support to those working in their communities to reduce the harms of drug use. Providing funding and support for innovative harm reduction services is in line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to address the overdose epidemic, and is a key pillar for the first time in the multi-faceted Health and Human Services’ overdose prevention strategy announced in October. This funding allows organizations to expand their community-based overdose prevention programs in a variety of ways, including distributing overdose-reversal medications and fentanyl test strips, providing overdose education and counseling, and managing or expanding syringe services programs, which help control the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.
“Too many Americans, more than 100,000 people over the last year, have lost their lives to drug overdose. Our new HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy is clear – harm reduction services are critical to keeping people who use drugs alive and as healthy as possible,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Americans deserve health services that address the full range of drug use and addiction issues, and this funding will help provide those services in the neighborhoods in which they live.”
For more information, please see the materials below:
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NAEH Survey Results Examines
Impact of Emergency Housing Vouchers
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Congress has responded to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with a series of bills focused on reducing hardships amongst Americans and forging a national recovery.
The most recent legislation, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), became law in March 2021 and included $5 billion in new investments for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), targeting people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The funds allowed for the creation of 70,000 new housing choice vouchers (or government-subsidized rent that ensures access to permanent housing).
The Alliance learned:
- Seventy-four percent of communities had already started distributing vouchers by September 2021 – six months after the passage of ARPA.
- Forty-nine percent of communities already had participants who had signed leases.
- Nearly all communities reported targeting literally homeless people with EHVs.
- Most communities reported giving the majority of their vouchers to literally homeless people.
- Among those who are literally homeless, common beneficiaries of the program were chronically homeless people, domestic violence survivors, and people in families.
This survey dug into the basics of EHV implementation. Further research is necessary to understand the more layered aspects of current efforts, such as how many groups were prioritized, the dynamics of agency partnerships, and any barriers tenants may be facing obtaining and maintaining housing. (NAEH, December 2, 2021)
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CSH Seeks Survey Feedback
on Supportive Housing Workforce
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If you work in supportive housing, CSH would appreciate you taking this quick survey to help New Jersey better understand the supportive housing workforce needs. The responses are anonymous and the collected results will be used to inform policy recommendations and resource discussions aimed at strengthening the supportive housing workforce, including the Healthy Aging in Supportive Housing initiative in New Jersey, as well as other statewide age-friendly initiatives.
CSH’s Healthy Aging in Supportive Housing Strengthening Workforce Workgroup designed this survey.
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Honoring International
Day of People with Disabilities
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Last Friday, December 3rd, was International Day of People with Disabilities. People across the globe reflected on the importance and necessity for thriving communities and workspaces with integration for all persons with disabilities.
Taking the lead from New Jersey's Division of Disability Services efforts last week , we here at SHA hope you'll join us in finding ways to help spread awareness with a meaningful pledge to do one thing to promote inclusion and further access for people with disabilities.
5 Examples of Pledges You Can Make:
1. Donate to your favorite disability awareness group
2. Form a committee to review and strengthen your employer’s discrimination policies or accessibility within the office
3. Improve universal accessibility by notifying public entities when you notice barriers to access (e.g. ramps with no curb cuts for access)
4. Make a public statement of support
5. Advocate for equal access and rights for all
Help make this advocacy toward inclusive communities last all year long and enhance life in New Jersey so everyone may feel included and empowered.
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CDC Finds Autism Prevalence Higher in ADDM Network
Improvements being made in identifying children with autism early
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“The substantial progress in early identification is good news because the earlier that children are identified with autism, the sooner they can be connected to services and support,” said Karen Remley, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “Accessing these services at younger ages can help children do better in school and have a better quality of life.”
CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program provides free resources in English, Spanish, and other languages, to monitor children’s development starting at 2 months of age. CDC’s Milestone Tracker Mobile app can help parents and caregivers track their child’s development and share the information with their healthcare providers. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/ActEarly. (CDC, December 2, 2021)
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nTIDE November 2021 Jobs Report:
Employment Gains Continue for People with Disabilities
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National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) – issued semi-monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire.
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IRS Updates 2022 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits |
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The following update has been provided by SHA Member, Mutual of America to help members be aware of changes to retirement plan contribution limits from the IRS.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the dollar maximums and limits for qualified pension plans for 2022. These reflect the applicable cost-of-living adjustments required by the federal tax law and provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) that are effective for the 2022 tax year only.
Sections 1–3 highlight contribution maximums and limits established by the IRS for various retirement plans. All dollar amounts are effective January 1, 2022; changes, if any, from 2021 are noted. Section 4 highlights annual compensation amounts for highly compensated employees and key employees in a top-heavy plan. Section 5 highlights the Saver’s Credit tax credit for 2022.
1. Retirement Plan Dollar Maximums for 2022
2. Retirement Plan Compensation Limits for 2022
3. Retirement Plan Dollar Limits for 2022
4. Retirement Plan Annual Compensation Amounts for 2022
5. Saver’s Credit for 2022
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DHS Office of Licensing Updates Application for Licensure |
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The Department of Human Services Office of Licensing issued a new bulletin strengthening requirements for new applicants seeking DHS licensure.
The Department of Human Services and the Division of Developmental Disabilities have determined that the qualifications for application for licensure contained in N.J.A.C. 10:44A, Standards for Community Residences for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities require updating under the current Fee-for-Service model for service provision.
The Office of Licensing operates under the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability and is the licensing and regulatory authority of the Department of Human Services. The OOL regulates, inspects and provides technical assistance to programs serving persons with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. Its licensing and regulatory process supports the provision of a safe environment in which consumers receive services appropriately.
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Thank you for an Excellent 23rd Annual Conference! |
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Get On-Demand Access Today |
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Resources & Virtual Forums |
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Free Hybrid Conference
Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey:
Healing Communities & Connecting Voices
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December 9, 2021 - December 10, 2021
In this in-person and virtual conference, you’ll gain insights, tools and strategies needed to make an impact in your organization.
Back for the ninth year, this year’s theme is “Healing Communities & Connecting Voices.” From health equity to racial bias and stories of loss, kindness and resilience during the pandemic, expert speakers and panelists will share best practices and solutions through a variety of innovative educational sessions that are designed to help move our communities forward.
In addition, there will be a special exhibition of Community Conversations: Pandemic Perspectives, New Jersey’s COVID-19 Storytelling Project on Thursday, December 9 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The exhibit will showcase selected COVID-19 experiences shared by New Jersey residents in 2020 through interviews, stories, creative works and animations.
Important Safety Information: COVID precautions including proof of vaccination, social distancing and masking will be in place. See more at the links below.
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Trainings from the NJ Division on Civil Rights |
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The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination:
Cultivating a Discrimination-Free Workplace
For NJ Employers and Employees
All employees are entitled to a workplace that is inclusive and free from discrimination. This training will provide an overview of how the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) protects employees from harassment and discrimination. Through case studies and other interactive exercises, participants will examine the rights afforded to all employees and the responsibilities of employers to protect those rights. Topics include what constitutes a hostile work environment, workplace accommodation requirements, employer liability, and reporting processes. Participants will also explore the ways in which implicit biases can lead to discrimination, and how to foster respectful environments in which discrimination and harassment are not tolerated.
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Dump the Assumptions: Responding to Implicit Bias
For NJ Employers and Employees
This interactive, virtual training will introduce participants to the concept of implicit bias. Participants will consider how implicit bias manifests in our interactions with others and explore strategies for addressing implicit bias in ourselves and in the workplace. Participants will also learn about how the NJ Law Against Discrimination protects individuals from discrimination and bias-based harassment in the workplace.
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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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