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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Self-Advocates Celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Welcome DHS Leaders |
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Pictured above: The Arc of NJ's Executive Director Tom Baffuto, Self-Advocate Andrew Sharick, DHS Deputy Commissioner Kaylee McGuire, DHS Assistant Commissioner Jon Seifried. Pictured Below: Lizzy, a self-advocate from SCARC, delivers remarks at the DD Awareness Month event on 3/30/23. |
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Pictured Above: Incoming SCARC CEO Megan MacMullin, Outgoing SCARC CEO Richard Lecher, SCARC Chairperson Darlene Blandina, DHS Deputy Commissioner Kaylee McGuire, DHS Assistant Commissioner Jon Seifried and The Arc of NJ's Executive Director Tom Baffuto. |
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The Arc of NJ, the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project and SCARC closed out Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with a celebratory event at the Eickmann Center in Newton. Self-advocates from Council 1 of the Statewide Network, and self-advocates from SCARC, received a proclamation from Governor Murphy presented by Department of Human Services Deputy Commissioner Kaylee McGuire and Assistant Commissioner Jon Seifried. In addition, Outgoing SCARC CEO Richard Lecher presented attendees with a legislative resolution on behalf of the District 24 State Legislators who represent Sussex County. Incoming SCARC CEO Megan MacMullin, The Arc of NJ’s Executive Director Tom Baffuto and two self-advocates delivered remarks. Also as part of the event, self-advocates had the opportunity to ask questions and share some of the challenges they face, with Department leaders. To close out the event, the Deputy and Assistant Commissioner toured SCARC’s Harvest Home Food Pantry which is operated by individuals served by the Chapter.
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30 Resources to Summer Camp for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
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Virtual Workshops
Children's Specialized Hospital is hosting a series for families of children who have recently received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
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New Webinar
Updated Information on Medicaid Unwinding and the Medicaid Renewal Process
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 6:00pm
Information has been disseminated during the past couple of months to alert families and staff about the end of automatic, continuous Medicaid enrollment and the Medicaid renewals, which are known as Medicaid unwinding. In the webinar on April 27th, The Arc of New Jersey's Beverly Roberts will provide updated information on this process. It is important to keep in mind that although Medicaid unwinding is beginning in April, the NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid renewal applications will be mailed during a 12 month period. Therefore, only 1/12th of the renewal applications are scheduled to be mailed in April.
Starting in April 2023, it is anticipated everyone who will receive a Medicaid renewal application that month will receive a postcard from their Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) early in the month (probably in the first week to 10 days), to let them know that the Medicaid renewal application will be arriving in the mail that month. During this webinar, Beverly Roberts, Director of our Mainstreaming Medical Care Program, will share updated information about Medicaid unwinding and the Medicaid renewal process.
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CSOC Summer Camp Services |
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For 2023, the Children's System of Care (CSOC) will be providing Summer Camp Services to 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.
Also this year, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CSOC are introducing Alternative Recreational Sessions (ARS) as an additional component of Summer Camp. ARS provides youth an opportunity to engage in a recreational activity with peers within the community, on a per session basis, rather than a full day of camp. This shorter time frame will increase camp access for youth who may benefit from a brief structured period compared to a longer traditional camp day.
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, 2023. Your application must be complete for the services requested for it to be considered.
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute developed a checklist and guide to help you with CSOC's camp application process. Check out The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute's CSOC Summer Camp webpage here. Links, dates and other important information can be found in the materials below.
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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 #3
The Impact of Physical Health Conditions on Mental Health in Individuals with IDD: Why a Visit to the Doctor is Essential Before Psychiatric Intervention
Tuesday, April 25
from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
In this webinar, you will learn about the impact physical health conditions may have on a person’s mental health status, and how physical health can often impact behavioral health challenges. In many cases a physical problem is the direct cause of a mental health problem or a contributing factor. Research indicates that up to 40% of individuals with IDD who are referred for an inpatient psychiatric stay have an undiagnosed or under-treated medical problem that led to challenging behaviors and hospital admission. A multidisciplinary assessment is essential, and a model for integrating mental and behavioral health supports with primary healthcare will be presented.
Presenter:
Jennifer LeComte, DO
Medical Director, Rowan Virtua RISN Center
Wendy Aita, PhD
Co-director, Rowan Virtua RISN Center
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Big Kahuna's Water Park in West Berlin, NJ hosts special needs events. Special Needs Events at Big Kahuna’s Water Park are designed to provide a judgement free, supportive play based evening for individuals with special needs and their families. Guests of all ages are invited to attend. They are sensory friendly events. Modifications are made to the operations of the park, including decreased capacity. Big Kahuna’s has Zero Depth Entry Areas; Swimming Pool Access Lift and Quiet Room available. |
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REAL Transition Partners is a collaboration between 26 parent centers, including SPAN.
REAL provides a variety of innovative and responsive services, support, and information that enables youth and young adults with disabilities and their families to:
- access information about the Rehabilitation Act (RA)
- navigate multiple programs and service systems
- actively participate in the development of useful, relevant, and meaningful plans for independence
- collaborate with transition professionals as leaders to help youth impacted by disability achieve their goals
These services:
- are designed with and involve diverse youth/young adults with disabilities and their families
- highlight the region’s strengths and collaborative spirit, and evolve as needs and contexts change
- occur through a regional Community of Practice that enhances participating Parent Center capacity, reach, and partnerships around transition and adult service systems
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From Our Local Chapters of The Arc |
The Arc Gloucester's Speakeasy Gala
The Arc of Gloucester County is hosting a Speakeasy Gala. It is going to be held on April 15, 2023. The VIP reception starts at 5pm, followed by cocktail hour at 6pm, and dinner, dancing & awards at 7pm. It is located at Auletto's Sunset Ballroom, 1849 Cooper Street, Deptford, NJ 08096.
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