| | | | 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 Rights NJ's new investigative report, Person First: An Investigation and Legal Analysis of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey Nursing Homes This Report exposes long-standing neglect and rights violations occurring in nursing facilities around the state.
Over the span of sixteen months, from April 2022 through August, 2023, Disability Rights NJ visited 70 nursing homes throughout the state and interviewed hundreds of individuals with IDD living in nursing homes. Disability Rights NJ found significant violations of state and federal laws, as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Olmstead v. L.C., and person-centered planning rights under the Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule. | |
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| | Nursing homes are institutions, and many of NJ’s nursing homes are grim hospital-like places to live, even for a short time – buildings are outdated and lack the ability to provide person-centered supports and services. Through this investigation and the investigation at Woodlands in 2022, Disability Rights NJ concluded the state has become over-reliant on institutions for people with disabilities, rather than investing in robust home and community-based settings, services, and supports. This practice has denied so many residents of these institutional settings the hope of community integration and autonomy. This is a violation of a person’s right to self-determination, or the choice of where to live, guaranteed by the NJ Constitution.
PERSON FIRST is organized into three Key Findings that, through the lens of the law, detail and analyze discoveries of Disability Rights NJ’s investigation:
- The State of New Jersey failed to collect and maintain complete, consistent, and accurate data related to individuals with IDD living in nursing homes and appears to be substantially undercounting the number of residents with IDD.
- New Jersey’s Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) regulations and practices do not align with federal law and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) technical assistance leading to the inappropriate and potentially unlawful institutionalization of individuals with IDD in nursing homes and denial of specialized services in nursing homes where appropriate.
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- Throughout New Jersey, people with IDD end up living in nursing homes with little regard for, and at times, against their expressed preference for living in the community. The New Jersey Constitution and federal person-centered planning laws guarantee the right to express a preference for where one lives and to lead the person-centered planning process. People receiving long-term services and supports, including those with IDD, are frequently being denied these rights.
Disability Rights NJ will discuss the investigation and each of the Key Findings in a webinar series offered weekly throughout the month of October. The first webinar will be October 10th at 10am. Check our website and social media for more details and registration information to be shared soon. We believe our findings in this report are important for all nursing home residents, especially residents with IDD and mental health disabilities. |
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| | | | | Finally HOME surveyValues Into Action was awarded the NJ Housing Grant for People with Complex Medical and Behavioral Support Needs including those who are aging by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities. We are calling this project, “Finally HOME NJ"
About Finally HOME NJ: Finally HOME NJ will serve to raise awareness and expectations of housing resources and supports for people with complex behavioral and medical needs, including those who are aging.
We are inviting people with disabilities, family members and professionals to share what barriers and challenges exist with housing and supports for people with complex behavioral and medical needs, including those who are aging. | |
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| | | Accessible Voting in New Jersey The Tuesday, November 8, 2022 General Election is over. Thank you for voting! - You must be registered to vote.
- All voters can request a ballot by mail.
- Early voting locations are open before
Election Day - Check to see if an accessible vote-by-mail
system is available.
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| | | Accessible Voting Tips As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
If you need more information or assistance using your right to vote, these organizations can help |
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| | | | Tell Us About Your Experience with Transportation Safety on School BusesNJCDD and Regional Family Support Planning Councils co-hosted the School Bus Transportation Safety Listening Session to obtain family testimonies. We continue collecting family voices through our online survey. | |
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| | | | | Stay Covered NJ NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid wants everyone to stay insured in New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare will mail renewals to all members in the year between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Members should expect to renew their coverage once a year from now on.
If you receive one of the postcards above from your health plan, your NJ FamilyCare renewal mail is coming this month. | |
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| | Front: Don't forget to check your mail. Back: Your NJ FamilyCare renewal mail is coming very soon. Please open it and follow instructions right away if you want to keep your healthcare coverage.
Frente: No olvide verificar su correo. Reverso: Pronto ricibirá su correo de renovación de NJ FamilyCare. Ábarlo y siga las instrucciones de inmediato si deasea mantener su cobertura de atención médica.
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| | Get four free at-home COVID-19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to your home. Order Free At-Home Tests
Need help placing an order for your at-home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
The U.S. government will continue to make COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs. Please contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near you to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government. | |
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| | 2022-2023 NJ Survey for Families of Children with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Rutgers University is partnering with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) on a study surveying NJ residents 18 or older who are a parent or guardian to a child or young adult (age 0-22) with an intellectual and/or developmental disability. Your child does not have to have a formal diagnosis in order for you to participate in the survey. If you have a child with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, your participation is incredibly important. The survey should take about 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of children and time spent on open-ended responses. | |
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Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters
This database allows NJ residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies, so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.
Download the brochure here translated in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Tagalog.
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| | | | | | Lead your loved one’s ISP team to realize their best life| Nov 4, 2023 10:00 AM
Does your loved one's Individualized Service Plan (ISP) reflect their likes and dislikes? Do you have a working relationship with your loved one’s Support Coordinator? Do you and the Support Coordinator use the ISP as a “GPS” to reach the destination your loved one envisions?
This is a hybrid meeting. 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 October 26.
Multi-lingual closed captioning is available for this event. If you need special accommodations, please register by October 20 with the details of your request or contact Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, at 609-341-3112. | |
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| | Dirija el equipo ISP de su ser querido para lograr su mejor vida | 4 de noviembre de 2023 10:00 a.m.
¿El Plan de Servicio Individualizado (ISP) de su ser querido refleja sus gustos y disgustos? ¿Tiene una relación de trabajo con el Coordinador de Apoyo de su ser querido? ¿Usan usted y el Coordinador de soporte el ISP como “GPS” para llegar al destino que su ser querido imagina?
Esta es una reunión híbrida. 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 26 de octubre.
Hay subtítulos multilingües disponibles para este evento. Si necesita adaptaciones especiales, regístrese antes del 20 de octubre con los detalles de su solicitud o comuníquese con Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, al 609-341-3112. | |
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| | | | The New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus invites you to our Transition from School to Adult Services for Students with Disabilities Tuesday, October 24 starting at 12:00 pm.
The NJ Legislative Disability Caucus serves as a bipartisan forum within the New Jersey Legislature for lawmakers and their staff to consider the impact on the disability community when shaping ALL public policies in the Garden State through increased awareness and a greater understanding of the complexities of the disabilities service system and issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. | |
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| | | | The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Thursday November 2, 2023 from 9:30am to 1:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 US Route 130, Hamilton NJ. To attend in person or make a public comment, please submit your In-Person RSVP or written public comment to Jacinta.williams@njcdd.org by Wednesday November 1, 2023.
ACCOMMODATIONS: For in-person accommodations, language interpretation and/or other accommodations, please contact Jacinta Williams at Jacinta.williams@njcdd.org, with your specific accommodation request at least two weeks in advance or by October 18, 2023. | |
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| | La Reunión Pública Híbrida del Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Nueva Jersey (NJCDD) se llevará a cabo el jueves 2 de noviembre de 2023 de 9:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m. en el Hilton Garden Inn, 800 US Route 130, Hamilton NJ. Para asistir en persona o hacer un comentario público, por favor envíe su RSVP en persona o comentario público por escrito a Jacinta.williams@njcdd.org antes del miércoles 1ero de noviembre de 2023.
ADAPTACIONES: Para las adaptaciones en persona, interpretación de idiomas u otras adaptaciones, póngase en contacto con Jacinta Williams en Jacinta.williams@njcdd.org con su solicitud de adaptación específica al menos dos semanas antes o antes del 18 de octubre de 2023. | |
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| | | | 2nd Annual NJ Self-Direction Conference The Collaborative for Citizen Directed Supports- NJ is a statewide organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in the design and delivery of their services, with the support they need, from whom they want. We provide information, resources, and avenues to help people with disabilities live their lives to the fullest.
We are pleased to announce the upcoming 2nd Annual NJ Self-Direction Conference, Brought to you in partnership with The Collaborative for Citizen Directed Supports NJ, Easterseals, and Public Partnerships, LLC. The 2023 SDC is sponsored by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities and Eiros Group. The conference will be held online November 2nd – 4th, 2023. | |
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| | NJAAP 31st Annual School Health Conference Join NJAAP 31st Annual School Health Conference on October 18. Gain the latest knowledge on current emerging topics including: Mental Health, Resillience, Legal Issues for this School Year, a State Mandate Refresher, Panel Discussions, and much more! As a School Health Professional this is the one that you can't afford to miss! Visit the event page or download the brochure. | |
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October is a Month-Long Celebration on Campus Rutgers University is one of the most diverse institutions in the Big 10 and disabilities play a vital role in making our community vibrant and inclusive. Join us in celebrating Disability Awareness Month in October, and learn about resources and actions to keep the conversation going throughout the year. | |
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| | 25th Annual Supportive Housing Conference at The Palace Somerset, NJ We're celebrating 25 years empowering and representing New Jersey's supportive housing community. Get the most out of this annual premier event by proposing a workshop, sharing your message as a sponsor, or networking with our diverse attendees as a conference exhibitor. November 3, 2023 | 8:00am - 4:00pm. | |
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Burlington County Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with an Employment & Resource Fair Mon., Oct. 23 • 9AM - Noon Human Services Facility 795 Woodlane Road, Westampton - Arrive professionally dressed
- Bring multiple copies of resume
- On-site interviews
- No small children, please
Businesses with job openings can send an email to join the employment fair! Contact: Jennifer Veneziani jennifer.veneziani@dol.nj.gov | |
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| | | The NJCDD attended sessions and was a featured exhibitor at Facing the Future 2023.Sponsored by The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities and NJ APSE, the Facing the Future annual conference highlights best practices in supporting people with disabilities in career planning, supported and customized employment, and transition from school to work.
The 2023 conference features 12 workshops on transition, support strategies, job coaching, and job development, and a keynote presentation by Collette Divitto, Founder/CEO of Collettey's Cookies. | |
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| | National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month A Proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2023 People with disabilities have long strengthened our economy and expanded our Nation’s possibilities. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the immense contributions of disabled Americans, and we recommit to delivering America’s full promise of equal dignity, respect, and opportunity for every American. | |
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| | | | NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities Designation, new research program and update to NIH mission are actions to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities.
Today, Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, M.D., director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research supported by the National Institutes of Health. The decision was made in consultation with Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D., the director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, after careful consideration of a report delivered by an NIMHD advisory council, input from the disability community and a review of the science and evidence. A report issued in December 2022 by the Advisory Committee to the (NIH) Director (ACD), informed by the work of the Subgroup on Individuals with Disabilities, explored similar issues faced by people with disabilities. The designation is one of several steps NIH is taking to address health disparities faced by people with disabilities and ensure their representation in NIH research. | |
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| | Apartment project in N.J. town designed specifically for adults with autism Karen Fluharty exhaustively searched 40 places across the country where her son Ryan could go when he “fell off the services cliff,” as a young adult with autism.
“None of them were a fit. They were either group home-like settings where individuals needed higher 1:1 support. Or located in neighborhoods that weren’t walkable,” said Fluharty, of Montville So she decided to create neuro-diverse housing project in Red Bank through a nonprofit she founded called Parents with a Plan. The group’s mission is to unite families, legal and housing professionals with a goal of creating homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The housing project, dubbed Thrive, was recently given site plan approval and variances from Red Bank for a property located at 273 Shrewsbury Ave. Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2025. The current retail and apartment building on the site will be demolished and a three-story, 35,891-square foot building with 32 one-bedroom units and one ground floor studio apartment will be built. | |
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| | More Than A Third With ASD Lose Diagnosis By Age 6, Study Finds New research suggests that nearly 40% of children diagnosed with autism as toddlers may no longer qualify for the label within a few years.
The findings come from a study published this month in the journal JAMA Pediatrics that looked at 213 children who received a clinical diagnosis of autism between 12 and 36 months. Researchers then conducted diagnostic assessments on the kids when they were ages 5 to 7.
During the follow-up testing, 79 of the children — or 37.1% — no longer met the diagnostic criteria for autism, the study found.
All of the children had received some type of intervention, with 94% participating in an autism-specific intervention such as applied behavior analysis. Girls and those with higher level adaptive skills like communication, self-care and decision-making at the start were most likely to shed their diagnosis, according to the findings.
“It is important to recognize that diagnoses can evolve as a child develops,” said Dr. Elizabeth Harstad, a developmental medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital who led the study. |
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“Our research shows how important it is that we monitor kids over time, because some children may really have changes in their social communication and behavioral function. This underscores the need for continuous assessments and adaptable intervention strategies.”
Autism experts have pushed for years to get children diagnosed at younger ages to speed access to interventions which are known to improve outcomes. But, while the condition can reliably be identified by age 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that many children are not diagnosed until much later.
The study did not find a meaningful association between the intensity of interventions that a child received and their odds of keeping their autism diagnosis, but the researchers said that more study is needed to understand the role that intervention may have played in helping kids outgrow their diagnosis.
“It is possible that children who no longer have autism at age 6 may have responded better to treatment than children whose autism persisted,” said Dr. William Barbaresi, chief of developmental medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and a senior author of the study. “The findings of the study should cause a very frank reconsideration of the need for far more research to understand if current treatment for autism is working, or if major new efforts to develop treatment approaches are needed.” |
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| | | | | More than 71 million Americans will see a 3.2% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2024. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. | |
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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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| | Transportation Resources for Individuals Living with Disabilities NJCDD Resource Page has been updated and we are proud to present the New Jersey Transportation Resources for Individuals Living with Disabilities Infographic, available in 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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