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.
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Governor Murphy's FY24 Budget Proposal Includes Funding to Address Many IDD Issue Areas |
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On February 28, Governor Murphy delivered his annual Budget Address at the State House, outlining a tremendous and incredible budget for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Please note that we are still delving into the facts and figures we’ve learned about the Budget thus far and that it will take additional time to fully understand the line items and the entirety of their potential impact on those we represent. From what we know so far, the Governor’s Budget proposal includes $72 million in state and federal funding for an across-the-board increase to the fee for service rates. This has been a major component of our budget advocacy to this point, as we have worked to highlight the challenges created by current rates and the impact inflation has had on service provision. We are very pleased to see this recognition and funds to increase rates. To continue reading, click here.
Pictured Above: Executive Director Tom Baffuto with Governor Murphy on the left, and with DHS Commissioner Adelman on the right.
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31 Resources To Better Understand Guardianship and the Supported Decision-Making Process |
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Virtual Information Session
Our next session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st from 6:00 pm - 7:00.
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New Webinar
Your Right to Appeal a Medicaid Termination
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 12:00pm
We are pleased to announce a webinar titled, "Your Right to Appeal a Medicaid Termination" with speakers Michael Brower and Kelly McGuire from Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ).
The DRNJ attorneys will share essential strategies to protect your Medicaid coverage in preparation for the largest review of Medicaid eligibility in the state’s history. For the first time since March 2020, the NJ Medicaid program (also known as DMAHS or NJFamilyCare) will begin terminating benefits for people who it thinks do not meet the eligibility standards. While NJ Medicaid reviewed eligibility during the pandemic, it did not terminate anyone’s benefits because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency. Starting in April 2023, NJ Medicaid will resume mailing termination notices for people it finds ineligible for continued coverage.
If you get a termination notice and disagree, you must act fast to preserve your rights! This webinar will give you the information you need to:
- Update your address with Medicaid
- Recognize a termination notice
- Request a Fair Hearing
- Keep your benefits during an appeal
- Find legal help
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Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act |
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The ABLE Act allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to set up tax-deferred savings accounts to save for any expenses including but not limited to:
- Education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health, prevention and wellness, financial management and administrative services, legal fees, funeral and burial expenses and basic living expenses. *Distribution for non-qualified expenditures will be subject to tax consequences and may affect eligibility for federal means tested benefits.
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New Webinar Series on Dual Diagnosis |
The Mainstreaming Medical Care Program of The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to present the 2023 webinar series:
Exploring Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges in People with IDD
This 5-part webinar series will examine the issue of dual diagnosis - co-occurring mental health and/or behavioral health disorders in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics will include diagnosis, treatment options, best practice, etc.
Join us the 4th Tuesday of every month, February through June, for this informative series.
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Webinar #2
Assessment of Behavior Change in Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Tuesday, March 28
from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Behavior has multiple causes, including mental health conditions, discomfort, grief, trauma, the environment, and other unmet needs. Accurate assessment is valuable to understanding mental health symptoms, as well other factors that may contribute to behavior change. This session will address how to recognize and evaluate behavior change in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to identify appropriate treatment and support.
Presenter:
Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC
- Senior Training and Consultation Specialist
- The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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Diggerland USA is a JCB-themed construction adventure park in West Berlin, NJ. They host events for special needs children and their families. They offer the ability to dig and drive construction equipment rides while the park is closed to the general public. |
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Public Forums Hosted by Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Rehabilitation Council |
The New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and its State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) are seeking the public's input about topical issues impacting consumers, vendor communication, and dialogue with employers.
Your voice is extremely important to both the DVRS and the SRC and will help to shape program delivery and policy to ensure that people with disabilities receive rehabilitation services that result in employment.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, educators and others about their lived experience with transition planning and/or services. We want to learn about the issues, concerns, strengths, and suggestions you may have about transition from school to work in our state generally, and as it pertains to DVRS specifically.
Representatives from DVRS and the SRC will be available to provide information on available services, and to hear public comments and testimony.
Registration closes March 28, 2023.
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From Our Local Chapters of The Arc |
Monthly Dances
The Arc of Burlington County is hosting monthly dances for men and women over 18 years of age with intellectual or other developmental disabilities and their families. There is a theme for each month. March's dance will take place on Friday, March 17th at 7pm. The theme is St. Patrick's Day/ Sport's Team attire.
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