| | | | 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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| | | | | The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) announces a funding opportunity of up to $185,000 (excluding required match) over 18 months for a qualified entity to develop project(s) designed to provide education, training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to parents of Black and Hispanic Projects using best practices designed to eliminate the inappropriate use of seclusion, restraint, suspension, and expulsion for Black and Hispanic students with disabilities, in targeted areas (schools and districts with high rates of seclusion, restraint, suspension, expulsion, and/or high rates of referral to law enforcement). NJCDD is seeking applicants to propose education, training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of Black and Hispanic students with disabilities engage in advocacy work at the local level to eliminate the inappropriate use of seclusion, restraint, suspension, and expulsion in school. The desired outcome of this funding initiative will lead to a reduction in the use of these procedures and an increase in parent, caregiver, and guardian engagement in local advocacy. Applicants must be established to do business in New Jersey. | |
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| | | | | The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) announces a funding opportunity of up to $225,000 (excluding required match) over 18 months for a qualified entity to develop project(s) designed to improve the capability of New Jersey’s behavioral health care system to meet and respond to the mental health and dual diagnosis needs of individuals with I/DD and their families, including those in urban and rural areas of the state. Projects that will provide information, and develop and deliver training, for healthcare/community organizations to provide wraparound patient support and/or navigator support for children and adults with I/DD and behavioral concerns. Applicants must be established to do business in New Jersey. | |
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| | | | | | For 2024, 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. Out of an abundance of caution, PerformCare recommends that applications for CSOC Summer Camp Services be submitted online through the Family Portal.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CSOC are offering 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. | |
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Department of Children and Families issued the second Request for Qualification (RFQ) notice for Summer Camp and Alternative Recreational Services as well as One-to-One Aid Services on their website.
Encourage your local specialized and inclusive camp providers to respond. Response Deadline: February 16, 2024 by 12:00 PM | |
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| | | DCF Shares Questions and Answers Document on RFP for Out-of-Home Residential Treatment Centers The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) has shared a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Out-of-Home Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs).
Through this RFP, DCF’s Children’s System of Care (CSOC) announced its intent to award a contract for RTC services for youth ages 9 through 17 who present with severe and persistent challenges in social, emotional, behavioral, and/or psychiatric functioning.
Funding will be awarded to up to five RTCs consisting of five beds each. Successful respondents may receive no more than three awards for a total of 15 beds within three five-bed programs. Respondents interested in applying for more than one service site must submit a separate proposal for each site. Sites may be co-located on a single property and shall operate as separate programs. Total available funding for this RFP is $6,001,791. The maximum award for a five-bed program is $1,200,358, inclusive of 5% for startup costs, based on the current per-diem rate per youth of $626.41.
The response deadline for this RFP is January 24, 2024 by 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click here to access the RFP itself, click here to access a Questions and Answers document from DCF on this RFP, and click here to access the slides from the December 13, 2023 virtual conference on this RFP. | |
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| | | | | | 2024 Public Meetings NJCDD members meet quarterly to discuss state and national issues impacting people with developmental disabilities and their families. During these public meetings, members hear from projects funded by NJCDD. They also discuss best practices and policies needed to be an active and effective organization. | |
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| | Date: March 14, 2024 Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Location: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690 Register Here
Date: May 09, 2024 Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Location: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690 Register Here
Date: August 15, 2024 Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Location: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690 Register Here
Date: November 14, 2024 Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Location: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690 Register Here | |
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| | | | | About the project: The goal of the Finally HOME NJ grant is to raise awareness of the needs of people with complex medical and behavioral support needs (and who are aging) who prefer to live in a home of their choice separate from services, with supports they control.
First session: “A Key to a Successful Move - Community Connections” (formally titled Activate Your Home Security System: The Importance of Community) January 17th, 2024 at 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | |
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| | | | | Are you planning to collect your Social Security benefits and wondering how this will affect your adult child with disabilities?
Questions and concerns often arise when parents are planning to collect their own Social Security and they have a son/daughter with disabilities who receives SSI and Medicaid. This presentation will discuss how to navigate those changes that may affect your adult child as you consider retirement.
CONTACT INFO: Connor Griffin cgriffin@arcnj.org | 732-246-2567
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| | | | | Self Advocacy Workshop NACDD is hosting a Self-Advocacy Workshop cosponsored with The Autism Society, to be held on January 25, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET. The topic of this workshop is Internet Safety. This self-advocacy workshop will focus on how to stay safe on the internet. We will learn from an expert on best practices and common errors that result in individuals getting into negative situations.
Dr. Michelle Garcia and Brandon Delgado will join us to discuss best practices and common errors that result in individuals getting into negative situations while using the internet and social media. Dr. Garcia is a psychologist with many years of experience working with individuals of all ages and a wide variety of diagnoses. Brandon Delgado is a Licensed Psychological Associate and is the Team Leader of Michelle Garcia, Psy.D. and Associates. Together they have almost 20 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Michelle Garcia, Psy.D. & Associates provides psychological and neuropsychological testing, consultation, court testimony, behavioral intervention, and trainings. In addition, Dr. Garcia and Brandon co-wrote a unique sex education program that has been recognized, has helped to write a bill impacting persons with disabilities in Virginia, and they are sharing their national virtual program to prevent them from getting victimized or ending up in the criminal justice system unnecessarily. | |
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| | | | | The Youth Ambassador training program helps youth become leaders around supported decision-making and other alternatives to guardianship in their states. Please join us to hear from
South Carolina, New Jersey, and Oregon youth about the great work
they have been doing to create change
in their states.
For more information, email: Allison.Hall@umb.edu
Join us on Jan 17, 2024, at 6pm EST (South Carolina, New Jersey, and Oregon) | |
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| | | | | Enabling technology expert, Meghan O’ Sullivan will review the basics of this growing resource, show real-life examples of how it's used, and explore the ethics of using technology. This workshop will guide participants in crafting a plan for a smooth transition to greater independence; giving individuals, caregivers and support networks the knowledge they need to grow independence through the use of enabling tech. This initial workshop will provide an overview of the four devices that JSDD is exploring in the series (Medready, Ring Doorbell, Amazon Echo, iPad), while delving deeper into medication assistance. Meghan will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of available options from simple alarms to devices like the Medready. | |
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| | | | | Overview of the TBI Fund Thursday, January 18th, 2024 The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ offers a free webinar called Overview of the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. The webinar will take place on January 18th at 12:00 PM and will be presented by Susannah Combs.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Fund is an important resource for TBI survivors in New Jersey. In this webinar, we will discuss: - Eligibility
- What services are covered by the fund
- How the fund works
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| | Suicide and TBI Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ offers a free webinar called Untangling the Complex Relationship Between Suicide and Traumatic Brain Injury. The webinar will take place on February 13th at 12:00 PM and will be presented by Matthew Peters, MD. Research shows that there is a relationship between suicide and traumatic brain injury, but what exactly is the relationship and how do we understand it? In this webinar, we will: - Identify the relationship between history of TBI and future risk of suicide attempt.
- Examine TBI rates and presentation in suicide attempt survivors.
- Consider future directions on this topic.
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| | | | | | What are the ABLE account contributions limits for 2023 and 2024? Written by Sophia Acevedo | Business Insider | |
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| | The amount of money you can contribute to an ABLE account each year is the same as the annual exclusion amount for gift taxes.
For 2024, the Internal Revenue Service has made several inflation adjustments for tax provisions — including gift taxes — which means that the contribution limit for ABLE accounts has also increased. If you have an ABLE account, we'll cover how much money you can save in your account this upcoming year.
How much money can you deposit in an ABLE account in 2023? People with disabilities and family members may deposit $17,000 in an ABLE account for 2023. | |
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| | | | | The 221st New Jersey Legislature begins today, with 37 new lawmakers – nearly one-third of the legislature – being sworn in at noon.
That number includes ten new Senators and 27 new members of the General Assembly. They replace 31 incumbents with a combined 389 years of service in Trenton, whose terms come to an end today, some by their own hand and others at the suggestion of their constituents.
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| | Nicholas Scutari is set to assume his second term as Senate President; when Craig Coughlin is sworn into his fourth term, he’ll become the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in New Jersey history. Anthony Bucco will begin his first full term as Senate Minority Leader, and John DiMaio will start his second term as Assembly Minority Leader.
Robert Singer becomes the Dean of the Legislature; he was elected to three non-consecutive terms in the Assembly before joining the Senate in September 1993.
Carmen Amato, John Burzichelli, Owen Henry, John McKeon, Angela McKnight, Paul Moriarty, Raj Mukherji, Parker Space, Britnee Timberlake, and Latham Tiver will join the State Senate. John Allen, John Azzariti, Al Barlas, Rosy Bagolie, David Bailey, Jr., Alixon Collazos-Gill, Margie Donlon, Mitchelle Drulis, Kevin Egan, Fawn Fantasia, Garnet Hall, Dan Hutchinson, Michael Inganamort, Paul Kanitra, Andrea Katz, Julio Marenco, Cody Miller, Carmen Morales, Greg Myhre, Luanne Peterpaul, Jessica Ramirez, Gabe Rodriguez, Avi Schnall, Heather Simmons, Barbara McCann Stamato, and Michael Venezia will take the oath for the first time as members of the State Assembly. Tennille McCoy, who was sworn in on Monday to fill a one-day unexpired term, will begin her first full term. Democrats will have a 25-15 majority in the Senate; their majority in the Assembly will be 52-28 after picking up six seats in the 2023 mid-term election. | |
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| | | | | AmeriCorps and ACL have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate development of collaborative activities to help modernize the way public and private nonprofit organizations utilize volunteers — especially older adults and people with disabilities. The goal of the MOU is to expand the partnership to significantly increase the number of volunteers, including older adults and people with disabilities, engaged in service activities. The additional volunteers will help bolster the ability of Americans of all ages to live at home with the support they need and participate fully in society while also supporting communities in need throughout the United States.
“Older adults and people with disabilities are vital members of the communities they call home. Across America, they are volunteering for community organizations, helping children with schoolwork, delivering meals to neighbors, and helping parents with childcare,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “It has never been more important to ensure older adults and people with disabilities are both served by and have ample opportunity to serve their community. They have the knowledge and life experience to change lives and enrich their own as well.”
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“Across our nation, older adults volunteer almost two billion hours each year, providing over $56 billion in economic value, and people with disabilities also volunteer extensively in communities across the country,” said Alison Barkoff, who leads ACL. “We are excited to continue and grow our longstanding partnership with AmeriCorps. We look forward to collaborating to modernize the way we view and deploy volunteers — especially older adults and people with disabilities.” Service and volunteer programs need to be proactive to ensure that everyone — including every interested older adult and disabled person — has the opportunity to serve and be active participants in community life. Volunteerism can also provide great opportunities to gain important work-based skills. Through this MOU, AmeriCorps and ACL will help ensure greater inclusion of older adults and people with disabilities in volunteer efforts.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov. AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Visit AmeriCorps.gov/Serve to learn more.
ACL was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided primarily by networks of community-based organizations, and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans. For more information visit ACL.gov. | |
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| | | | | The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released updated guidance requiring federal agencies to improve their digital accessibility for people with disabilities. Nearly half of the most popular federal government websites are not fully accessible, which prevents access to critical services and information for millions of Americans. | |
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| | The changes outlined in the guidance memo include: Testing electronic content for accessibility before publishing and including disabled people during the digital design and testing user group process. Establishing digital accessibility programs and policies by designating a program manager to define and oversee digital accessibility processes, reporting, tracking, and resolving problems. Purchasing accessible products and services. Regularly scanning web content to assess whether accessibility requirements are met and prioritizing remediation.
Cultivating a positive culture of digital accessibility, such as by offering training and education to employees on a regular basis.
The new guidance establishes the required leadership, goals, and a renewed focus to improve digital accessibility across the federal government.
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| | | | | Gov. Murphy’s State of the State Speech Focuses on Addressing Social Determinants of Health
“Together, we are doing the hard work to get through hard times. Together, we are building a New Jersey that is better today and brighter tomorrow,” Governor Phil Murphy reinforced in the conclusion of his State of the State address yesterday. Throughout his speech, he highlighted initiatives and called for legislation designed to achieve these goals.
Of specific relevance to NJAMHAA and its members are the Administration’s ongoing efforts to “address the drivers of high costs, starting with health care” and to eliminate “our state’s shortage of hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units,” as Gov. Murphy stated.
Regarding healthcare costs, Gov. Murphy said, “I am calling on our Legislature to enact a new package that will help families avoid being caught in a medical debt trap and require every medical bill to be clear and transparent.” Also related to health care, Gov. Murphy acknowledged the need to “address our lingering shortage of critical workers, especially nurses.”
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| | In regard to affordable housing, Gov. Murphy said, “We will aim to build new housing options where they are needed most: in locations close to jobs, transit hubs, and Main Street businesses.” He also shared some details on plans to continue strengthening small businesses throughout the state and New Jersey’s overall economy.
As the economy also relies on a strong infrastructure, Gov. Murphy announced that the Administration is “continuing to invest in the future of our transportation system at record levels” and shared the example of having “officially broke ground on the Jersey side of the Hudson Tunnel Rail Project” this past November.
Gov. Murphy spoke about further strengthening New Jersey’s economy and competitiveness by fostering research and development of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The Administration is collaborating with Princeton University to create an AI innovation hub “to advance developments in AI and incubate groundbreaking discoveries.” As AI is already growing in the behavioral and general healthcare fields, the state’s initiatives to expand use of AI will undoubtedly impact NJAMHAA members.
Of note, Gov. Murphy highlighted plans to “continue reforming a justice system that has failed Black and Brown communities for far too long.” Within the next few months, he will announce “a new clemency initiative that will ensure we live up to our promise as the state for second chances.”
“Although Gov. Murphy did not go into detail on initiatives and funding specifically for mental health and substance use services, we are confident that he and his Administration will continue to be supportive, as evidenced by his focus on social determinants of health today and the significant funding for the behavioral healthcare system in the FY2024 State Budget,” said NJAMHAA President and CEO Debra L. Wentz, PhD. “We look forward to continuing our advocacy for increased funding for the behavioral healthcare workforce and services with our soon-to-be launched campaign, Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment, and to learning more of the Administration’s support in the Governor’s upcoming FY2025 Budget Address.” | |
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| | | DHS Announces Enhancements to Adult I/DD Emergency Services Programs Last week, January 5, 2024, Sarah Adelman, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), announced significant enhancements to the statewide emergency services programs aiding adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
As shared on Trentonian.com, contracts have been awarded to three organizations to manage emergency capacity services across New Jersey. The programs specifically serve individuals with I/DD, including those with acute behavioral needs requiring immediate residential and day program support.
The three organizations are: - Community Options, Inc.
- Community Access Unlimited (NJAMHAA member)
- Oaks Integrated Care (NJAMHAA member)
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Commissioner Adelman was quoted saying, “Our primary goal is to support individuals with I/DD who are in need of immediate services due to homelessness or other emergent circumstances . . . As an example of the importance of these services, we’re requiring providers to accept admissions 24/7 and adhere to a strict ‘no reject’ policy, meaning that providers must accept every referral from the Department without exception. We’re continuing to focus on meeting the needs of all individuals and providing comprehensive and quality services, while helping individuals thrive in the communities in which they live.”
Referrals to the Emergency Capacity Services (ECS) programs will be made by DHS’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
In addition to primary services, the ECS programs will offer ancillary support such as recreational activities and transportation to and from community services. |
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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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