Exciting Updates for Children and Families Inside

The Table Talk newsletter from The Arc of New Jersey's Children's Advocacy Department is back! Our May edition is filled with valuable advocacy resources as well as exciting opportunities and experiences for your family. For more information, please visit our webpage.

Advocacy with Adara on Facebook Live

Please join us on May 20th at 12:00 pm for the next installment of the mini-series: Meet Your Child Study Team Members.

New to the series? Each episode offers a friendly 10-15 minute chat on special education or services for children with IDD and their families. Tune in every Monday at 12 pm on our Facebook page. No sign-ups needed, just drop by, watch, and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments! We look forward to having you join us!

View Archived Facebook Live

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NJ Department of Education Awards $9.6 Million in Grants to Assist Students with Disabilities Transition from School to Adult Life

April 18, 2024- Governor Phil Murphy and Acting Commissioner of the NJDOE Kevin Dehmer announced... Read more.

NJ Human Services Awards Grants for Improvements for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Residents

A total of $1.18M in funding was awarded across 17 counties to improve communication and language access to county services and community programs for deaf and hard of hearing residents of all ages. Click here for full article.

Children's Advocacy Virtual Office Hours

Do you have questions about your student's IEP or 504 plan? Do you need help getting started? Join Adara Heilmann, Director of Children's Advocacy, every Thursday starting on May 23rd from 12-2 pm for open office hours. Due to anticipated volume, sessions will be limited to 20 minutes and given on a first come, first served basis to ensure that we can accommodate as many families as possible.

Click to sign up

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Get Paid for Your Time

Designers and researchers from the NJ Office of Innovation are creating an online information hub for people with disabilities and those who care for and support them. A $75 gift card will be mailed to you following a Zoom session to discuss how you navigate and access information online. For more information, email melissa@innovation.nj.gov and fill out this this form.

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2022-2023 NJ School Performance Reports Now Available

These reports from the New Jersey Department of Education offer a wealth of information for parents, students, and communities to assess educational equity and quality, serving as a catalyst for informed discussions and engagement. Click here for full reports.

NJ Summer EBT is back for 2024

Introducing a new to New Jersey child nutrition program that is intended to reduce hunger and food insecurity for children who lose access to free breakfast and lunch during the summer months. Read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health challenges affect one in five individuals in the United States annually. It is important to recognize that individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are equally susceptible to mental health conditions, with rates of psychiatric disorders ranging from 25% to 55%, highlighting the crucial need for tailored support and understanding across all communities. Full Article

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You are worthy of happiness and peace of mind. Sign language users can communicate with the ACCESS Mental Health Calling Center at St. Joseph's Health in Paterson weekdays from 9 am- 5 pm by dialing (973) 870-0677 VP

Change Coming for ABA Licensure

On May 6th, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) published the finalized regulations for ABA licensure in New Jersey.

Read the history on the NJABA website.

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