Seven Years Later: Lessons from New-Jersey First Ombudsman for Individuals with Disabilities
2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
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Join us for an insightful discussion with Paul Aronsohn, New Jersey’s inaugural Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. As he prepares to conclude his historic tenure at the end of Governor Murphy’s administration, Paul will share candid reflections on his seven-year journey advocating for New Jersey’s disability community. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Caucus Co-Chair, championed the legislation that created this groundbreaking office and will lead the meeting.
Register Here
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
12:00pm – 1:00pm (Zoom Webinar)
Paul, along with advocates, will discuss the victories that transformed lives, the systemic challenges that persist, and a vision for strengthening advocacy efforts under future leadership. From navigating bureaucratic barriers to ensuring people with disabilities and their families receive essential services, hear firsthand about the real-world impact of having a dedicated state Ombudsman and what lies ahead.
This is a unique opportunity to learn from the experiences of the person who helped define this crucial role and to understand how legislative advocacy can create lasting change for our most vulnerable residents.

Building Collaborative Teams Across the Lifespan [virtual meeting]
2025-11-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
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Building Collaborative Teams Across the Lifespan [virtual meeting]
Register Here Download the flyer here Saturday, November 1, 2025,
from 10AM to 12PM

Connect. Collaborate. Empower.
Join family advocates and professionals for an interactive virtual session focused on improving communication and collaboration to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hear stories and expert tips, then join breakout rooms focused on children or adults. Together we will explore strategies for building trust and forming unified support teams. Special speakers & panelists

Ivette Gamba-Mendez, Faye Grave, and Margaret Hefferle
Family advocates
Michael Decker
President & CEO, Eden Autism Services
Nicole Fried
Supervisor, Bergen County Special School District CAPE Center
Colleen McLaughlin
Co-Director, Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development
Jason Miller
Executive Director, PLAN NJ AI-powered translated captions will be available during this virtual forum. If you need language support or other accommodations, please contact Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, 609-341-3112.
Construyendo equipos colaborativos
a lo largo de la vida
Regístrate Aquí Descarga el folleto aquí Sábado 1 de Noviembre de 2025
de 10AM a 12PM

Conecta. Colabora. Empodera.
Únase a defensores de familias y profesionales en una sesión virtual interactiva enfocada en mejorar la comunicación y la colaboración para apoyar a personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo. Escuche historias y consejos de expertos, y luego únase a las salas de trabajo para niños o adultos. Juntos, exploraremos estrategias para generar confianza y formar equipos de apoyo unificados Oradores y panelistas especiales

Ivette Gamba-Mendez, Faye Grave, and Margaret Hefferle
Defensores familiares
Michael Decker
presidente y director ejecutivo de Eden Autism Services
Nicole Fried
supervisora ​​del Centro CAPE del Distrito Escolar Especial del Condado de Bergen
Colleen McLaughlin
codirectora del Centro Boggs sobre Discapacidad y Desarrollo Humano
Jason Miller
director ejecutivo de PLAN NJ Habrá subtítulos traducidos con IA disponibles durante este foro virtual. Si necesita apoyo con el idioma u otras adaptaciones, comuníquese con Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, 609-341-3112.

NJCDD Public Meeting
2025-11-13 09:30 - 13:30 | Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690, 800 US-130, Hamilton Township,, 08690, United States
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NJCDD Hybrid Public Meeting
November 13, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 800 US Route 130 in Hamilton, NJ. To attend in person or make a public comment, please send your in-person RSVP or written public comments to Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org by Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Register Here Accommodation:
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 Wednesday, October 30, 2025. Download the Agenda
Reunión Pública Híbrida de NJCDD
13 de Noviembre de 2025 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

La Reunión Pública Híbrida del Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Nueva Jersey (NJCDD) se llevará a cabo el Jueves 13 de Noviembre de 2025, 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, envíe su confirmación de asistencia en persona o comentarios públicos por escrito a Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org antes del Miércoles 12 de Noviembre de 2025. Regístrate Aquí Alojamiento:
Para alojamientos en persona, interpretación de idiomas y/o otros ajustes, comuníquese con Jacinta Williams en Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org con su solicitud específica de alojamiento al menos con dos semanas de anticipación o antes del Miércoles 30 de Octubre de 2025. Descargar la Aagenda

Accessing Information for You or Your Loved Ones with Disabilities
2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
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November 18, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Organizing services and supports that work for you or your loved ones with disabilities is an achievable goal, but what happens when they are not working? How do you get information, support, and advocacy when needed?

Plan ahead and be prepared by joining this listening and learning session with New Jersey’s Ombudsman for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: Paul Aronsohn

Multi-lingual closed captioning is available for this event. Contact Kerry McGrath at kerry.mcgrath@njcdd.org or 609-984-4516 if you have any questions. Register Here Download the Flyer

“Employment First” in New Jersey
2026-01-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
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“Employment First” in New Jersey
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
12:00pm – 1:00pm (Zoom Webinar)
Register Here ”Employment First” is a national approach and policy framework that prioritizes competitive, integrated jobs with fair wages as the primary option for individuals with disabilities. Employment First shifts the focus from segregated settings to community employment, aiming to raise expectations and change systems, so that all individuals can engage in meaningful work.

Although New Jersey is one of 42 states with the Employment First designation, barriers persist, including low participation, a lack of confidence in the capabilities of individuals with I/DD, and siloed systems with insufficient cross-agency partnerships. During the webinar, we will examine a bill to create an Employment First commission in New Jersey and highlight other Employment First initiatives from across the country. Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, Caucus Co-Chair, will lead the webinar.

Investigating Abuse & Neglect of People with I/DD
2026-02-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
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A WEBINAR FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (I/DD)
ABOUT DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW JERSEY
Disability Rights New Jersey, also known as DRNJ, serves as the state’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency, responsible for safeguarding the rights, safety, and well‑being of all individuals with disabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Register Here WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This webinar will provide an in‑depth look at how Disability Rights New Jersey, as the P&A, identifies and investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and rights violations in licensed settings.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Disability Rights New Jersey’s investigative authority, including their unique role and mission in monitoring investigative bodies to enhance safety and protect vulnerable individuals. SPEAKERS:

Jill Hoegel, Director of Investigations and Monitoring
Lynne Blecher-Vicari, Advocate-Investigator
Elena Kravitz, Senior Advocate-Investigator
Barbara Coppens, Advocate Assistant

Real-time multi-lingual closed captioning will be offered in this session.

For questions, please contact Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, 609-341-3112

Transition from Early Intervention Program to Pre-School System
2026-02-28 09:30 - 11:00 | NJ
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Making the move from the Early Intervention Program to the Pre‑Kindergarten school system can feel overwhelming for many families. As a family advocacy group, the Regional Family Support Planning Councils understand how challenging it can be to learn a new system, navigate the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, and step into a stronger advocacy role Register HereDownload Flyer This webinar will guide families through what it means to be an effective advocate, how to take a child‑centered approach, and how to build a collaborative relationship with the Child Study Team. We’ll walk through the IEP process, discuss what to expect, and share practical strategies to help you prepare confidently for your child’s IEP meeting.

Multi-lingual closed captioning is available for this webinar.

For questions, please contact Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, 609-341-3112. La transición del Programa de Intervención Temprana al sistema escolar de preescolar puede resultar abrumadora para muchas familias. Como grupo de apoyo familiar, los Consejos Regionales de Planificación de Apoyo Familiar comprenden lo difícil que puede ser familiarizarse con un nuevo sistema, navegar el proceso del Programa de Educación Individualizada (IEP) y asumir un rol de defensa más activo. Regístrate AquíDescargar Folleto Este seminario web guiará a las familias para que comprendan qué significa ser un defensor eficaz, cómo adoptar un enfoque centrado en el niño y cómo construir una relación de colaboración con el Equipo de Estudio del Niño. Analizaremos el proceso del IEP, hablaremos sobre qué esperar y compartiremos estrategias prácticas para que se preparen con confianza para la reunión del IEP de su hijo.

Este seminario web cuenta con subtítulos en varios idiomas.

Para cualquier pregunta, comuníquese con Kyoko Coco, Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org, 609-341-3112.

NJCDD Public Meeting-March 12
2026-03-12 09:30 - 13:30 | NJ
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NJCDD Hybrid Public Meeting
March 12, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 800 US Route 130 in Hamilton, NJ.

To make a public comment, please send your written public comments to Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org by Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Register Here Accommodation:
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 Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Reunión Pública Híbrida de NJCDD
12 de Marzo de 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

La Reunión Pública Híbrida del Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Nueva Jersey (NJCDD) se llevará a cabo el Jueves 12 de Marzo de 2026, de 9:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m., en el Hilton Garden Inn, 800 US Route 130, Hamilton, NJ.

Para hacer un comentario público, por favor envíe sus comentarios públicos por escrito a Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org antes del miércoles,11 de marzo de 2026. Regístrate Aquí Alojamiento:
Para alojamientos en persona, interpretación de idiomas y/o otros ajustes, comuníquese con Jacinta Williams en Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org con su solicitud específica de alojamiento al menos con dos semanas de anticipación o antes del Miércoles 25 de Febrero de 2026.

NJCDD Public Meeting-May 14
2026-05-14 09:30 - 13:30 | Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton 800 US-130, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690, 800 US-130, Hamilton Township,, 08690, United States
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NJCDD Hybrid Public Meeting
May 14, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 800 US Route 130 in Hamilton, NJ. To attend in person or make a public comment, please send your in-person RSVP or written public comments to Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org by Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Register Here Accommodation:
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 Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Reunión Pública Híbrida de NJCDD
14 de Mayo de 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

La Reunión Pública Híbrida del Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Nueva Jersey (NJCDD) se llevará a cabo el Jueves 14 de Mayo de 2026, 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, envíe su confirmación de asistencia en persona o comentarios públicos por escrito a Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org antes del Miércoles 13 de Mayo de 2026. Regístrate Aquí Alojamiento:
Para alojamientos en persona, interpretación de idiomas y/o otros ajustes, comuníquese con Jacinta Williams en Jacinta.Williams@njcdd.org con su solicitud específica de alojamiento al menos con dos semanas de anticipación o antes del Jueves 30 de Abril de 2026.
