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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Early Intervention is an Important Entry to Lifelong Support

With 75 years of experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we often share with legislators, policy-makers and colleagues outside the world of disability, that we are there for a person throughout their lifetime. We are the place that people can reach out to no matter what stage of life they are in, or what new development they are working through. And that pledge truly begins with infants and toddlers through the Early Intervention System. Early Intervention, the critical period between birth and age 3, is when services and therapies can have a life-long impact on development and a person’s future potential. Timely and effective early intervention services can even possibly reduce the reliance on adult services later on in an individual’s life. But Early Intervention is more than just a schedule of therapies. It is the first step in a family’s journey into the world of available resources and supports that they didn’t know existed. It is a reassuring beginning for families who often feel like they are on this journey alone and who are ushered into services by dedicated practitioners that can help a baby or toddler achieve important milestones. This year, The Arc of New Jersey is pushing for increased funding in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget to address early intervention rates. We need to attract and retain these highly-educated practitioners to this field so that families in need of EI get the assistance they need as soon as possible. The Arc of NJ is celebrating a large milestone in June with our 75th anniversary, and we will continue to evolve and change. But nothing will change our commitment to those we serve. We are here for you every step of the way, in every stage of a person’s life. Need early intervention services? Learn more here.

Thomas Baffuto - Executive Director, The Arc of NJ

31 Resources to Respite for Individuals with IDD

Download The May Calendar Here

Our Go Bags Have a New Look!

Our Go Bags have been redesigned! The Go Bag was created to help you be the best ADVOCATE you can be for your loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. A Go Bag is a simple collection of necessary resources about a specific topic. The topics will vary but the message is the same: Be Prepared! Check them out on our website here.

Zoom With Us! : An Overview of Self Direction Services

Join us on Monday, May 20th at 6pm for a Zoom With Us Series: An Overview of Self Direction Services, Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and the Personal Preference Program (PPP).

New Virtual College Tours

Join us for some upcoming virtual college tours! Register using the links below for each session.

Tour With Us! - Virtual Tour of Access Program - Hudson County Community College

May 14, 2024
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Register: bit.ly/hudsonaccess

Virtual Tour with Passaic County Community College CAT - Culinary Arts Vocational Certificate Program

May 16, 2024
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Register: bit.ly/passaicCAT

Kids Corner

Special Needs Resource Fair & Family Fun Day

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Union College, Cranford Campus - Richel Student Commons

1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Join us for our special needs resource fair and family fun festival, featuring more than 60 providers.

Schools
Camps
Recreation Programs
Therapies
Transition Services
Advocacy and Legal Help
Family Support
Financial Planners
And more

There will be games, activities, balloon artists, face painters, door prizes (Amazon gift cards up to $100) and your favorite characters.

The event is FREE of charge but we ask all guests to register for a ticket.

Navigating the System

DDD Service Provider Expo

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Bergen County Community College

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Meet and speak directly to service providers at this event sponsored by Community Supports Network and Bergen Community College.

Community Based Supports
Support Coordination
Day Habilitation
Group Homes
Employment Services
Assistive Technology
Behavioral Supports
Day Services
Home Health Care
Transportation
Special Needs Attorneys
Special Needs Advocates
Goods and Service Providers
Physical Therapy
Speech, Language and Hearing Specialists

From Our Local Chapters of The Arc

The Arc of Atlantic: Spring Gala "Seas The Day"

"Seas the Day" and join The Arc of Atlantic County as we kick off the summer season with a casual evening on The Deck overlooking the Frank S. Farley Marina at Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina.

Guests will enjoy dancing and live entertainment, chef-curated food and specialty cocktails, plus exciting silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle, and more.

Help empower friends and neighbors in your community: Become a sponsor, purchase tickets, or provide an in-kind item for the silent auction. For more information, contact Mary Ruley Moyer, Director of Development & Community Outreach, at 609.485.0800 x 135 or mmoyer@thearcatlantic.org.

When:

Thursday, May 30, 2024

6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Where:

600 Huron Ave

Atlantic City , NJ 08401

Learn More Here

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

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