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 ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2022 Award Recipients, Event Details Announced

Each year The Arc of New Jersey holds an awards celebration which honors the best in individual, organizational, and corporate support for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Nominations come in from all over the State, highlighting the exemplary work of dozens of individuals and organizations. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our Awards Celebrations for the past 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are thrilled to be returning to an in-person event this year. The event will take place on June 16, 2022 at the Imperia in Somerset. Click the image above to download the form for purchasing tickets, ads and sponsorships. Contact Celine Fortin at cfortin@arcnj.org or 732-733-6013 with any questions.
Tell Us About...
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute is pleased to present: Tell Us About... Conversations about specific diagnoses, and the community organizations that focus on them.

This podcast features the different organizations that specialize in providing services and supports for a specific diagnosis. Topics include Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and many more.

Listeners will learn about how and when each diagnosis is typically identified and what resources are available to individuals and their families.
Check Out Our Other Podcast Series!
Zoom With Us Series
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute invites you to Zoom with Us. Join us each month to discuss a topic that affects children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our next topic will be:


What Are Able Accounts and How Can They Help My Loved One with IDD?
Tuesday, May 10th
6:00-7:00 pm
The Arc of New Jersey Mainstreaming Medical Care Webinar Series
At the beginning of the month, The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Program started their Healthcare Webinar Series. The series will continue on for three more Tuesday mornings in May at 10:30 am.

  • May 10th
  • May 17th
  • May 24th

Each Webinar will feature a 60 minute presentation, followed by up to 30 minutes for Q&A. The webinars are available at no charge, but registration is required.

New Webinar

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family & Friends
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022
1:00pm to 2:30pm

NAMI Family & Friends is a 90 minute seminar that informs and supports people who have loved ones with a mental health condition. Participants learn about diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation and NAMI resources. Seminar leaders have personal experience with mental health conditions in their families. Participants will receive a free E-book with their registration.
New Webinar
Special Education Webinar Series
Supporting Students with ADHD
Thursday, May 26, 2022
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Throughout the workshop, it will be highlighted how ADHD and Executive Function challenges impact learning and behavior. A basic understanding of Executive Functions will be presented and tips, tools, and strategies to support our students in and out of the classroom will be shared. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the impact of communication, connection, and empathy as the foundational work.
Kids Corner

  • The Bridge Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit school for students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and/or ADHD.

  • The mission of The Bridge Academy is to educate and empower students with educational learning disabilities to reach their fullest potential through a comprehensive program developed around each child's individual needs.

  • The Bridge Academy is a New Jersey Department of Education approved school for students ages 8-18 years old.

  • The Bridge Academy has a rolling admissions process, and applications can be submitted throughout the school year. The Bridge Academy accepts students either through a school district placement or a private placement by the child's family.
Navigating the System

  • The Port Authority of NY & NJ has launched the Sunflower Lanyard program at Newark Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia Airports (LGA) that will improve the experience for passengers traveling with disabilities that are considered hidden or not immediately obvious to others.

  • The Sunflower Lanyard program provides discreet identification that the wearer, or their companion has a hidden disability and may require additional assistance or patience when interacting with them.

  • Airport employees will not know a passenger's specific disability unless a passenger self-declares it, and no additional verification of a specific disability is required. Sunflower Lanyards are available to customers at each terminal's Welcome Center at no cost.
2022 Summer Camp

For 2022, the Children's System of Care (CSOC) will be providing Summer Camp Services for eligible children, youth, and young adults under 21 years of age.These services include Financial Support toward Summer Camp Tuition and One-to-One Aide Services for Summer Camp.
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute developed a checklist and guide to help you with CSOC's camp application process. Links, dates and other important information can be found in the materials below. Click the images for pdf downloads. Completed applications for CSOC Summer Camp Services (Financial Support toward Summer Camp Tuition and One-to-One Aide Services for Summer Camp) must be postmarked or received by PerformCare no later than June 30th, 2022.
From Our Local Chapters of The Arc

The Arc of Somerset

The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families established in 1972, has been providing quality services to children and families for over 40 years. This New Jersey licensed childcare facility located in Manville, uses comprehensive, interdisciplinary programs designed to meet the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of children who have a diverse range of abilities:

  • Early Intervention Program (therapeutic services birth-3 years)
  • Developmental Day Care (integrated 6 mo.-3 years of age)
  • Integrated Developmental Preschool (3-6 years of age)

These programs are staffed by dedicated professionals including teachers who may be licensed and certified in both early childhood and special education. The school is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm with Before and After Care available.

The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute | 732.828.2022 | thefamilyinstitute@arcnj.org