July 2020
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute provides caregivers with the necessary resources and education to access the appropriate supports and services for their loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability.
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Governmental Affairs Update

Although legislative meetings in June were held virtually, The Arc of New Jersey continued to
advocate with lawmakers on pending legislation that will impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and Chapters of The Arc. Last month, our organization provided oral testimony, via Zoom, before the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees,
the Assembly Human Services Committee and the Senate Budget Committee.

Executive Director Tom Baffuto was among the invited guests who provided an update to members of the Assembly Human Services Committee about the impact of COVID-19 on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of New Jersey’s testimony highlighted the need for Personal Protective Equipment and the dedication of our Direct Support Professional (DSPs) workforce who have, in addition to their normal responsibilities, kept spirits up, kept
It's Time to Be Counted!
Responding to the  #2020Census  is easy—you can even do it on your mobile phone. When you participate, you become part of a count that influences future funding for special education, health care, housing, transportation, and other important community services.
Census Resources
2020 Census: A Guide for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Family - Click to Download
EdgeUcation
New Jersey Department of Education Restart & Recovery Plan: The Road Back
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every aspect of our lives. As we look to the future and plan for students to return to schools in-person this fall, we must recognize and prepare for the ways the virus and necessary public health response has changed and will change the way students learn.
This Restart and Recovery Plan provides educators and administrators with the information necessary to ensure that our schools reopen safely and are prepared to accommodate students’ unique needs during this unprecedented time.
Kids Corner
Click the picture above to download.
Missing Summer Camp?
While many special needs camps are not opening, there are some that will be providing some camp activities. A good place to start would be to go to  https://apps.performcarenj.org/outpatientproviders/listcampproviders.aspx  and see the list of camps that have indicated they are opening.Families and caregivers can also go to the website for the child's usual camp to see if they are offering any virtual activities.
Children's Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC) Participation Survey
 Do you have a child receiving services from New Jersey's Children System of Care? Have you attended a Children's Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC) meeting in your county? Rutgers-University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) has created a CIACC Participation Survey. It takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete and is a good opportunity for families and youth to provide feedback on your local CIACC.
Complete the survey here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0HxLBPLM0wWtwrz
DD Training Resources is an online database, funded by a grant from The NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities and run by The Arc of New Jersey's Family Institute. It provides a wide range of information about trainings and support resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout the State of New Jersey.
We welcome your feedback on our new DD Training Resources website!
Mission to Transition

Planning For Adult Life is Offering FREE Virtual MAPS Classes For the Summer
The Planning for Adult Life Program is pleased to offer virtual Making Action Plans classes for high school students in special education. These "live" online classes will begin the week of June 29 and run through August 3.

Each class will last 50 minutes and include:
  • 5-minute ice-breaker activity
  • 5-minute review of the prior lesson (it's ok if you were not present at the prior meeting)
  • 25-minute skill-building (presentation of skill, discussion, and student practice)
  • 10-minute game playing/interactive activity
  • 5-minute feedback and assignment of generalization activity outside of the session. 

Sessions Include 2 student small group classes per week over 6 weeks. This will total 12 group classes. 

Topics covered through the course of the summer will include: making decisions, problem solving, how to set priorities, managing disappointment and failure, dealing with uncomfortable situations, asking for help, helping others, etc.
Navigating the System

Many New Jerseyans in need may be missing out on their $1,200 federal stimulus check because they don't make enough income to regularly file taxes.
 
Please help us get the message out to those you serve and your networks that individuals with lower incomes who haven't received a stimulus check should visit the IRS web site.
 
Non-tax filers must file a form available  here  with the IRS by October 15 to receive their stimulus payment.

Click below to download the fact sheets on this topic in both english and spanish.
☝ Click the picture above to register for our free upcoming webinars! ☝
Road to Employment
U.S. DOL Guidance on Employee Leave Rights When Summer Camps and Programs Close Due to COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees sought time off work under the paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave provisions of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to care for children at home because their schools or day care centers closed. As the end of the school year approached, many summer schools or camps cancelled programming.
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute | 732.828.2022 | thefamilyinstitute@arcnj.org