March 2024

The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy Program promotes quality health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey.



We have a New Website!

The Arc of New Jersey is proud to display a newly redesigned website. We encourage you to visit our reorganized web pages that feature updated information, new and revised fact sheets, webinars, and presentations on various health care topics for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

2024 Health Care Advocacy Webinar Series:

"Back to Basics" - Health Care 101 for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"

This 4-part webinar series will provide an overview of healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with topics that include accessing preventive care, treatment options, visiting providers, oral health and dental care, dual diagnosis co-occurring mental health problems in individuals with IDD, and care for aging individuals.

Webinar #1

An Overview of Health Care, Provider Engagement, and Preventive Services

This webinar will include an overview of health care for individuals with IDD, evaluation and treatment, speaking with providers, being prepared for health visits, and the importance of regular preventive screenings and checkups.

Presenter:

John Nevins, D.O., FAAFP

Medical Director

Overlook Family Medicine Residency/Chatham Family Medicine

Overlook Medical Center

When:

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Please join us on four Tuesdays - March 19th, April 16th, May 21st, and June 25th from 12:00pm - 1:30pm for each installment in this exciting new series.

The program has produced several new fact sheets and revised past existing fact sheets with updated numbers and information. 

One new fact sheet covers NJ WorkAbility, a unique program that offers individuals with disabilities who are working and earning income the opportunity to receive NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid, despite income that would typically prevent someone from being eligible for Medicaid.

Another new fact sheet is about frequently asked questions (FAQs) surrounding Disabled Adult Child (DAC). A Section 1634 “DAC” is a designation under the Social Security Administration (SSA) whereby an adult individual with blindness or a disability, who previously received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), is eligible to receive Medicaid as long as the individual is determined blind or disabled.

When a parent retires or becomes disabled and starts collecting Social Security benefits, or the parent passes away, the adult child eventually begins receipt of a monthly SSDI or disability benefit (a Survivor’s Benefit, if the parent passed away) based upon the parent’s work record. 

Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) New Jersey

Check out a highly useful online tool that helps determine the impact of working on receiving public benefits, including NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

DB101 provides information about public benefits, as well as planning estimators and calculations regarding employment and income and how these factors would influence the ability to receive public benefits. The tool is a fantastic resource for seeing how work can interact with receipt of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and other public benefits.

NJ Family Support Group for those with IDD and Dementia

The New Jersey Family Support Group for those who have IDD and Dementia (FSG) meets on the last Tuesday of the month. FSG members are parents and siblings who are caring for someone who has IDD and Dementia. Many individuals who have IDD develop early onset Dementia in their 40's and 50's.

The FSG addresses issues such as guardianship, medical and behavioral complications, appropriate day programs, and end of life decisions. FSG invites guest speakers who are experts in their field when specific topics are requested. Family members are able to offer support and information to improve the lives of the caregivers as well as the affected individuals.

Their next meeting is scheduled for 3/26/24 at 3:00pm via Zoom.

For more information, please contact Leone Murphy at leonemur2@yahoo.com

Get in Touch

The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy

healthcareadvocacy@arcnj.org

732-246-2567

www.thearcnjhealthcareadvocacy.org

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