| | | | NJCDD's Eye on Advocacy weekly e-newsletter published every Tuesday focused on important news and events for the intellectual and or developmental disabilities community. You are welcome to submit news items and feedback to njcdd@njcdd.org. | |
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| | | | | Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Celebrating National DD Awareness Month with our partners at NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities focusing on inclusion in the workplace. Meet Crystal employed at Market Bistro, Kevin, Janette, and Ronald employed at CVS Health, as well as Phil and Jeff Siena Fresh AVI Food Systems growing and developing their skills in the community. | |
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| | | | | Sabe is Hiring Administrative Support Person The SABE Support Person will provide administrative, “behind the scenes” support to SABE Board members so that they may fully participate in SABE-related activities. This job is 20 hours per week and is located in Washington, D.C.
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is the United State’s national self-advocacy organization. We are a national board of regional representatives and members from every state in the US. | |
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| | | | | | AAIDD Education Interest Network: Self-Advocate Scholarship We invite anyone that identifies as a self-advocate to submit a short proposal to receive a scholarship on behalf of the AAIDD Education Interest Network (EIN). The purpose of the AAIDD EIN is to advance the field in educating children, youth, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This year’s scholarship will go to a self-advocate who has taken steps to promote inclusion in education (at the K-12 and/or college/university levels).
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| | Applicants are required to: - have an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD)
- be willing to publicly identify as having IDD
- believe in the need to enhance the education of youth and young adults with IDD.
The scholarship recipient will be recognized at the AAIDD EIN in-person Business Meeting during the conference. The scholarship recipient will also be invited to share about their efforts related to inclusive education during the meeting.
Scholarship Award totals $750 and Includes: - $300 Conference Registration (paid by the organization)
- $450 Cash Stipend for Travel (paid by a check upon arrival to the conference)
The submission deadline is: April 5, 2024 | |
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| | | | | Do You Know the Developmental Disability Agencies Available to You? In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Ombudsman’s Office for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families are excited to launch a survey to assess individuals with disabilities and their families’ awareness and satisfaction with several organizations. This survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, and Gujarati. See below for the links to the specific language. English- Survey Here Spanish- Survey Here Portuguese- Survey Here Korean- Survey Here Chinese- Survey Here Gujarati- Survey Here The survey will be available until April 15th, 2024. If there are any questions about the survey or if you need any assistance in completing it, please contact Kerry McGrath at kerry.mcgrath@njcdd.org or (609)-984-4516. A live interpreter is available upon request. | |
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| | ¿Conoce las agencias de discapacidad del desarrollo disponibles para usted? En reconocimiento del Mes de Concientización sobre las Discapacidades del Desarrollo, el Consejo sobre Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Nueva Jersey y la Oficina del Defensor del Pueblo para Personas con Discapacidades Intelectuales o del Desarrollo y sus Familias se complacen en lanzar una encuesta para evaluar la conciencia y satisfacción de las personas con discapacidades y sus familias con varias organizaciones. Esta encuesta está disponible en inglés, español, portugués, coreano, chino y gujarati. Consulte a continuación los enlaces al idioma específico. Inglés- Survey Here Español- Survey Here Portugués- Survey Here Coreano- Survey Here Chino- Survey Here Gujarati- Survey Here La encuesta estará disponible hasta el 15 de abril de 2024. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la encuesta o si necesita ayuda para completarla, comuníquese con Kerry McGrath en kerry.mcgrath@njcdd.org o (609)-984-4516. Un intérprete en vivo está disponible a pedido.
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| | | | | The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has rescinded the Request for Proposals (RFP) originally released on January 31, 2024, titled START Services NJ: Development of Mobile Crisis Prevention and Response | |
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| | Program(s) to Serve People with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs Based on the National START Model.
The successful bidder will partner with the National Center for START Services™ to develop one mobile crisis prevention and intervention program, consisting of a clinical team and therapeutic coaching team, to serve adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs who live in the southern region of New Jersey (as defined in the RFP).
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| | | | | State Rehabilitation Council Public Forums Listening Session - State Rehabilitation Council & the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services representatives will be available to listen to you
- Help shape program delivery & policy to increase employment for people with disabilities
- Share you lived experience
- Help up learn about the issues, concerns, strengths and suggestions you may have.
Save the Date and Register - Tuesday, April 30, 2024 | 6:30-8:00pm
- Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 3:00-4:30pm
- Monday, May 6, 2024 | 10:00-11:30am
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| | | | | The Gary Rubin Independence and Advocacy Fund from The New Jersey American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NJAAID) | |
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| | Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can apply for this grant up to $5,000 in order to meet emergency needs such as medical care, utility bills, housing needs, scholarships, and other major emergencies.
The New Jersey American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NJAAID) dedicates this emergency find to Gary Rubin, a former NJAAID board member. Nationally recognized and respected advocate, Gary has dedicated his life and energy to promoting the independence of people with disabilities, closing institutions, and expanding community supports. Contact Walter Kalman at wkalman@njaaidd.org for more information. | |
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| | | | | Friday, April 5, 2024 l 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Supporting Community Life Engagement for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities This session will focus on how day services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can support community life engagement (CLE).
Friday, April 12, 2024 l10:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Evolution of Autism Policy in the US: Implications for the Future The prevalence of autism in the US has increased rapidly in the last three decades. In this session, participants will learn about how policies and programs to meet the needs of this growing group have been created and put in place. |
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Friday, May 10, 2024 l 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Trauma Informed Supports for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities This session will provide a view of trauma from the perspective of the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Friday, May 17, 2024 l 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Improving Employment Outcomes: The Lessons We Are Learning As interest in Employment First gains ground, state agencies and service providers are being called upon to rethink how they support people with disabilities and help them become valued members of our workforce. |
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| | | | | | | Housing options for people with disabilities Saturday, April 6 | 10am to 12noon One size does not fit all. This is especially true when it comes to housing and supports for people with I/DD. Come and meet families who bravely endeavor to navigate their unique housing journey for their loved ones with disabilities. You will learn about various housing settings such as traditional licensed group homes, “unlicensed” shared homes created by parents, apartments, and integrated housing. The panel will be joined by professionals who embrace person-centered planning and assist individuals with I/DD and their families to meet their housing and support needs. ----------------------------------------------------------------- You can choose to attend via Zoom or in person at Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690. If you wish to attend in person, please register by 3/29/24.
609-341-3112. | |
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| | Opciones de alojamiento para personas con discapacidad Sábado 6 de abril | 10 am a 12 mediodía Una talla no sirve para todos. Esto es especialmente cierto cuando se trata de vivienda y apoyo para personas con I/DD. Venga y conozca a familias que valientemente se esfuerzan por recorrer el viaje único de vivienda para sus seres queridos con discapacidades. Aprenderá sobre diversos entornos de vivienda, como hogares grupales tradicionales con licencia, hogares compartidos "sin licencia" creados por padres, apartamentos y viviendas integradas. Al panel se unirán profesionales que adoptan la planificación centrada en la persona y ayudan a las personas con I/DD y a sus familias a satisfacer sus necesidades de vivienda y apoyo. -----------------------------------------------------------------Puede optar por asistir a través de Zoom o en persona en Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690. Si desea asistir en persona, regístrese antes del 3/29/24.
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| | | | Adam Kubler of NJCDD presented our Employment First initiative at the 2024 NJACP Statewide Conference held on March 21-24, 2024, at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
Throughout the New Jersey area, we strive to ensure that individuals and families with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New Jersey can participate in the development of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance. Visit us at njcdd.org |
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| | | | | Murphy gets bill remaking NJ’s affordable housing process Colleen O'Dea | NJ Spotlight
Legislature OKs new system designed to speed construction of thousands of new homes. Almost a decade after the courts pressed for a fix, Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to hammer the final nail into the coffin of the state’s old affordable housing system, formalizing a new process for determining local housing obligations in New Jersey. | |
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| | Both the state Senate and Assembly this week gave final approval — largely along party lines — to the bill that would codify a new system for ensuring that municipalities meet the state Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel doctrine first established nearly a half-century ago. The rulings require that all communities provide for their “fair share” of the state’s need for homes affordable to people with low and moderate incomes.
That need statewide, according to bill co-sponsor state Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Burlington), is now about 224,000 units.
The new bill would replace the state’s moribund Council on Affordable Housing, the agency that had set local affordable housing obligations for two decades before failing in that mission during the administration of former Gov. Chris Christie. In its place, the state Department of Community Affairs would manage the process in a manner similar to how it has been overseen by the courts over the last eight years. During this period, Singleton said, some 21,000 affordable homes and apartments have been built, making it the most prolific period since the first Mount Laurel decision in 1975.
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| | | | | The University of Texas Arlington campus in Arlington, Texas. (Brian Elledge/The Dallas Morning News)(Brian Elledge / Staff photographer)
UTA gives full-tuition scholarships to future special education teachers The University of Texas at Arlington is funding tuition and fees for aspiring special education teachers through a federal grant Marcela Rodrigues | Dallas News
To battle shortages and support future teachers, the University of Texas at Arlington received $1.25 million in federal funds to help students pursuing degrees in special education.
The five-year grant will fund six students per year and cover 100% of in-state tuition, fees and other costs, such as textbooks, housing and childcare needs. | |
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| | Texas has faced a shortage of special education teachers for decades, which leaves many students with disabilities without services and support.
Last school year, 702,785 public school students were enrolled in special education programs, nearly 13% of all students, according to state data. But only 36,110 teachers served such students, resulting in a teacher-student ratio of 1:19.
“Many of these teacher positions are being filled with uncertified individuals,” said Ambra Green, associate professor of special education at UTA. “They’re not getting the support that they need that’s also mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”
Students with disabilities are not only those with “visible disabilities,” but also those with invisible ones such as dyslexia or emotional disturbances, Green added.
When such students don’t receive services in school, Green said, not only do they fall behind academically, but it also places them at risk for dropping out. | |
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CMS Releases Clarifying Information Regarding Permissible Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Practices
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin and slide deck to address questions CMS has received from states, stakeholders, and external partners regarding the permissibility of certain practices during Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals. | |
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| | To clarify what is permitted under existing federal renewal requirements, both during and beyond Medicaid unwinding, these resources reiterate some of the relevant federal renewal requirements for state reference, outline policy and operational practices that are not permitted under existing federal Medicaid and CHIP redetermination regulations, and provide examples of processes that are not permitted under federal requirements. In partnership with NJ Citizen Action, SPAN conducts outreach, education, training and train-the-trainer workshops on worker benefits and protections, including NJ Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits, Earned Sick Leave, and Unemployment Insurance. To see the SPAN webpage on this work, click here.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Danica Lafortune dlafortune@spanadvocacy.org or Rhea Malone rmalone@spanadvocacy.org. | |
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| | | | | The NJCDD is proud to support NJ DB101, a free, user-friendly, all-in-one place, resource guide for employment and benefit questions/information. Find out how working impacts benefits like SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and more! Resources are in plain language and available in both English and Spanish. | |
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| | | | | | The purpose of this expanded version of the Toolkit is to empower individuals with disabilities and their family and professional caregivers by providing information to more effectively advocate for persons with complex severe behavioral health conditions (which we formerly referred to as “dual diagnosis”) for treatments, supports, services and the conditions that promote mental wellness. | |
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| | El propósito de esta versión ampliada del kit de herramientas es facilitarles a las personas que tienen discapacidades y a sus cuidadores familiares y profesionales herramientas que los empoderen, al proveer información que permita abogar de una forma más efectiva por las personas que tienen condiciones graves y complejas de salud conductual (a las que antes se denominaban con “diagnóstico dual”) para conseguir los tratamientos, apoyos, servicios y las condiciones que fomentan el bienestar mental. | |
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NJCDD Disclaimer: New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities does not endorse or recommend any programs, providers, or organizations. This is for information-sharing purposes only. |
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