Moving Ahead through the Endemic, Coping with Continued Challenges in a Productive Way

New Jersey Regional Family Support Planning Councils May Statewide Meeting – May 14, 2021

Given the virus is unlikely to disappear completely, COVID-19 is becoming less “front-and-center” for some people. Some of us found that increased flexibility and options, such as telehealth, virtual meetings, and parents as paid staff, have become an essential part of their new lives. Many of us continue to face various barriers to access to services. The state leadership shared promising practices and areas of improvement.

Speakers:

– Paul Aronsohn, Ombudsman for People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families
– Mollie Greene, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC), Department of Children and Families
– Jonathan Seifried, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Department of Human Services

Presentation:

The presentation slides can be available in this online folder. Recorded session: https://youtu.be/1bNqYvMVkXU

Resources:

2021 Annual report written by Mr. Paul Aronsohn, Ombudsman for People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: https://www.disabilityombudsman.nj.gov/documents/2021-Annual-Report.pdf

43rd Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2021: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/43rd-arc-for-idea.pdf

Regional Family Support Planning Council #2 Healthcare Town Hall Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/Fl3XLJKvcGY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Summer camp for children and youth: https://www.performcarenj.org/pdf/families/disability/csoc-summer-camp-faq.pdf

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Self-Directed Services/Self-Direction https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/individuals/community/selfdirected/

Community Living Education Project (CLEP) email subscription: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bIq70bn9nSyCPYh

The Heart of Home: Person-Centered Housing Options for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (New Jersey Regional Family Support Planning Council Statewide Meeting)

The recorded session can be accessed here.
Finding the right housing and support for people with developmental disabilities is a constant challenge in New Jersey. Diane Riley, Executive Director of Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA NJ) and Jennifer Brown, Housing Navigator/Eiros Group, explains how they can help guide you and your loved ones to pursue appropriate housing and support.

Presentation Slides:

SHA Housing Presentation 2022
Self Directed Housing

Resources

Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey – Housing Hub: https://www.shanj.org/housing-hub/

 ” Accessory Dwelling Units Presentation” can be found under the February 2 annual meeting section. https://www.shanj.org/past-sha-membership-meetings/

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Office of Education on Self-Directed Services: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/individuals/community/education/

Integrated Supports Star: http://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/integrated-supports-star/

Paul Aronsohn, State Ombudsman for Individuals with I/DD and their families: https://www.disabilityombudsman.nj.gov/njombudsman-bio.shtml

DDD Policies and Procedures Manual: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/providers/staterequirements/policiesprocedures/

In 2012, New Jersey became an “Employment First.” It is a national movement to establish “a framework for systems change that is centered on the premise that all citizens, including individuals with significant disabilities, are capable of full participation in integrated employment and community life.” (U.S. Department of Labor).​

NJ Family Support Planning Council had David Hoff, a wonderful national leader who presented an overview of New Jersey’s Employment First policies and practices and its best practices and areas for improvement. They also welcomed three department representatives that provide interagency support to students in the transition from school to competitive integrated employment.

Presentation and Speakers:

Employment First in New Jersey
     David Hoff, Program Director, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
Interagency Agreement to Promote Services for Students in Transition from School to Competitive Integrated Employment
     Bill Freeman, CSPD Coordinator, Office of Special Education, NJ Department of Education
     Toni Scott, Program Planning and Development Specialist, Youth Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development
     ​Amanda Gerson, Coordinator, Vocational Rehabilitation and Transition Services, Commission for Blind & Visually Impaired, NJ Department of Human Services

The recorded session can be accessed here.

Resources

Presentation slides: David Hoff, https://www.dropbox.com/s/o7c7dsea7alzfmp/Employment%20First%20-%20Hoff%20-%20NJCDD%20-%20November%202021.pdf?dl=0
Presentation slides: DOE, DVRS & CBVI Interagency Collaboration – https://www.dropbox.com/s/yu9ovu4nyo69y2i/Interagency%20Agreement%20Presentation%20on%20Pre-ETS.pdf?dl=0

Resources

DVRS Trifold brochure – https://www.dropbox.com/s/hrxgywjec9ppg2l/DVRS%20trifold%20Brochure.pdf?dl=0
PRE-ETS Student Referral Form – https://www.dropbox.com/s/bbw4u8hvzk8daaq/PRE-ETS%20Student%20Referral%20Form%20signature.pdf?dl=0
Informed Choice and Employment: Overview – https://www.dropbox.com/s/otivs6wrgiz0d4y/Informed%20Choice%20Publication%20.pdf?dl=0
Work-Based Learning Brief – https://www.dropbox.com/s/m875j6ujb2uca0b/MPTE%20Work%20Based%20Learning%20Brief.pdf?dl=0

Pathway to Resilience: A Community Conversation with individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events in childhood that can cause life-long negative impacts on the developing brain. Children with I/DD are more likely to experience traumatic events than those without disabilities.
New Jersey Family Support Planning Council hosted a community conversation session with state and national leaders. View Meeting Agenda Here

Keynote speaker:
Dave Ellis, Executive Director, Office of Resilience, New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Panelists:
Dave Ellis, Executive Director, Office of Resilience, New Jersey Department of Children and Families. View Presentation Here
Jill Hinton, Ph.D., Clinical Director, The Center for START Services, The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. View Presentation Here
Paul Aronsohn, Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, State of New Jersey

StatewideFamilySupportMeeting-presentatio

How to build an integrated care network to increase your loved one’s health and wellness

On Saturday, March 13, 2021 parent advocates joined our meeting to learn how to build an integrated care network to keep our loved ones healthy and well. Our own Regional Family Support Planning Council members, who also have medical, nursing, or social work education, shared with you their expertise and tips.

The topics and speakers included as follows.

  • Overview of integrated care by Andie Iannuzzelli, DO, FACOI, CMD, Council #7 member (Camden, Burlington)
  • Importance of health and wellness (nutrition, exercise, emotional wellness) by Melanie Ayers, MSN, RN, NCSN, Council #8 member (Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland), Margaret Hefferle, BSN RN, Council #1 Chairperson (Sussex, Warren, Morris)
  • How to build an integrated care network by Jennifer Arey, LSW, Council #7 member (Camden Burlington)