💗The Family Advocate Newsletter💗

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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Governmental Affairs Update

The Arc of New Jersey’s Executive Director Tom Baffuto participated in a Roundtable on Workforce Development for Adults with Disabilities on January 29, hosted by Senate President Sweeney. Tom told members of the legislature that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a high priority for The Arc of New Jersey and that we believe an individual’s life significantly improves when they experience the benefits of working. Furthermore, Tom told members of the Roundtable that individuals with I/DD can work in competitive employment with the proper supports and services and that with the appropriate training and assistance, employment can be a reality for many individuals with developmental disabilities living across the State. READ THE FULL UPDATE HERE.

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Special Education Webinar Series

Creating an Inclusive Classroom, presented by Fred Buglione, President & CEO of NJCIE

Wednesday, February 17th at 1:00 pm

In this webinar, Fred will touch on what inclusive education instructional practices are and how they have been implemented in schools. Inclusive education is a group of practices that structure a classroom and lessons for all students to learn together. An inclusive classroom is a learning environment in which care is taken to ensure that all learners are supported, engaged, and accepted. The instructional practices we implement to include all learners include Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Differentiation, and Modifications and Accommodations.

PerformCare's Introductory Video Now Available with Spanish-Language Captions

PerformCare is proud to announce that its introductory video outlining available services and information can now be viewed with Spanish-language captions. This addition will make the video, and PerformCare itself, accessible to a much wider audience. The video is available on their Spanish links page HERE, alongside their Guide for Youth and Families.

New Early Intervention Podcast Episode

Interview with Kathleen Hinnigan-Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, The Arc of Essex County

Our newest episode features an interview with Kathleen Hinnigan-Cohen, Chief Operating Officer at The Arc of Essex County. During this interview, we discuss the barriers that prevent families from accessing EI services, and the effect it has on a child's future. Kathy also walks us through some of the major changes in EI's history, including the transition from center-based to in-home services. The New Jersey State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) has a unique role in the New Jersey Early Intervention system. Kathy explains how the council functions, and tells us about her recent appointment to the SICC.

Listen Here

Support Group for Dads

Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) is launching its newest support group just for dads. The online Dads Virtual Support Group is for men parenting children and who care for children in their lives. The group offers a place for dads to become better equipped and more empowered as parents, and to gain strategies to reduce stress. For more information, visit CHADD.org or contact Robert Cattoi at ChaddCEO@chadd.org.

Kids Corner

LSC in the House

This virtual program from the Liberty Science Center offers the opportunity for children to experience LSC's exhibits from the comfort and safety of their own home. Some of the activities include an online planetarium, story time, home experiments, and a meet & greet with LSC's animals.

VISIT LSC HERE.

Navigating the System

CAP Program at DRNJ

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally funded program that advocates for and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities who are seeking or receiving rehabilitation services. CAP assists individuals with disabilities in securing and understanding rehabilitation services from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), Centers for Independent Living, and other rehabilitation projects and programs. LEARN MORE HERE.

Virtual Support Groups for Children and Families

RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing Program offers emotional support services, education and community-based resources for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through a variety of virtual services, this program aims to assist those impacted by the pandemic to better adjust to their new reality, mitigate stress, review options, develop coping strategies, and, if needed, find linkages to agencies, programs, and other resources in their community.