October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is a time to raise awareness and celebrate loved ones with Down syndrome. Below are some resources to learn more and be involved!
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The 3rd Annual Beverly Roberts Memorial Healthcare Symposium on November 4, 2026
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Symposium Schedule
- 8:30AM - 9:00AM: Registration and Continental Breakfast
- 9:00AM - 9:15AM: Opening Remarks
- 9:30AM - 10:00AM: Keynote Speaker, Dr. Stephen Cha
- 10:00AM - 11:30AM: Main Panel Presentation
- 11:30AM - 11:45AM: Break
- 11:45AM - 1:00PM: Breakout Sessions
Hear from our Distinguished Panelists!
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Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC, DrPH(C), Senior Training and Consultation Specialist, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development
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Wendy Aita, PhD, Director, Rowan-Virtua Integrated Special Needs Center, Behavioral Health Lead
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Amanda Duva Gannon, BCBA, Regional Director, NJ Programs, Crisis Stabilization Homes, NJ START Services
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David Helfand, MS, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
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Lisa Montalbano, Ombudsman for People with IDD and their Families
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Christine Bakter, Deputy Executive Director, Office of the Ombudsman for People with IDD and their Families
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Stacey Provenzano, Assistant Director of Care Management and Provider Support, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Choose your Breakout Session!
#1. Understanding Complex Trauma in IDD: Support Through a Biopsychosocial Lens
Presenter:
Jacquelyn Palladino, PsyD
YAI Clinical Director
START Services NJ
#2. When IDD and Behavioral Health Intersect: Understanding Supports Through CSOC and ResourceNet
Presenters:
Kai Rainey, MS, LAC
Care Manager Supervisor
Bergen's Promise
Jose M. Rodriguez, LPC, LCADC, ACS
Clinical Consultant
Bergen’s Promise
Jacqueline Yeboah, BSN, RN
Behavioral Health Home Nurse Manager
Bergen's Promise
#3. One Person, One Plan, One Team: Comprehensive Support for Dual Diagnosis
Presenters:
Naira Aslanyan
Interim Chief Executive Officer,
ArcMorris
Melinda Iannarone, MA
Chief Strategy & Impact Officer
ArcMorris
Charlotte Diaz, LMSW
Vice President of Day Habilitation & Wellness Services,
ArcMorris
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Tickets are limited, reserve your spot now!
The deadline to register is October 30, 2026.
| Become a Symposium Sponsor! | |
Bronze Sponsor
Leone Murphy and Family
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Complete the sponsor registration form to help support this annual statewide symposium dedicated to improving the health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
View the breakout session options
Attendees choose their preferred session when registering.
Limited exhibitor space is available ($150 fee)
Complete the exhibitor registration form if you are interested in serving as an exhibitor at the symposium.
Questions? Email Connor Griffin at cgriffin@arcnj.org
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Upcoming In Person Event!
"Community Voices: The Impact of Medicaid Changes"
When: October 28, 2026, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: 250 Merhof Road, Little Ferry, NJ 07643
The Arc of New Jersey and The Arc of Bergen and Passaic are hosting a Listening Session. Presenter, Connor Griffin, The Arc of New Jersey's Director of Health Care Advocacy, will discuss the Medicaid changes resulting from H.R.1, otherwise known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OB3), and the potential impact on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
New Jersey FamilyCare staff will also be in attendance.
This is an in person event. Light refreshments will be served!
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Senator Kim Introduces Bill to Eliminate Delays for Americans with Disabilities to Receive Social Security and Medicare Benefits
On September 17th, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced legislation to eliminate the delay leaving Americans with disabilities waiting months to years for their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare benefits.
Workers who become disabled can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, but the process to apply for benefits is slow, and even once an individual qualifies, there is a statutory five-month waiting period before they receive their first disability check, and 24 months before becoming eligible for Medicare insurance coverage. In total, individuals face a 29-month waiting period from the onset of disability before fully receiving their SSDI benefits.
Senator Kim’s Stop the Wait Act would:
- Phase out the five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits over the next five years, eliminating it entirely by 2031; and
- Eliminate the 24-month waiting period for Medicare disability benefits for individuals who are uninsured or unable to afford health insurance.
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NJ FamilyCare 1115 Demonstration Renewal Survey & Webinar
The NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) is kicking off stakeholder engagement efforts for the upcoming renewal of New Jersey's Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration. New Jersey currently authorizes the majority of its Medicaid program through the 1115 demonstration, including Medicaid managed care, managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS), targeted home and community-based services (HCBS), health related social needs (HRSNs), behavioral health, and a range of pilot initiatives. The 1115 Demonstration expires in June 2028 and requires a draft renewal submission to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by June 2027.
New Jersey welcomes your input, via the linked survey (Due by November 6)
There is also a public webinar today, Monday, October 19th, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Register for the webinar.
If you have additional feedback or suggestions beyond the survey, please send
them to the 1115 Demonstration mailbox: DMAHS.CMWcomments@dhs.nj.gov
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Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2027
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 76 million Americans will increase 3.6% in 2027. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $75 per month starting in January.
Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2027. Increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2026.
Read more.
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CDC Plans To Drop Disability Questions From Federal Health Survey
A proposed revamp of a key federal survey could lead to a drastic undercount of Americans with developmental disabilities, advocates warn.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling for major changes to the 2028 version of the National Health Interview Survey. The annual questionnaire asks about 27,000 adults about their experiences with illness, chronic conditions, injuries, health access and more.
The proposed changes to the survey would begin in 2028 and could affect the information collected about people with disabilities for the next 10 years.
Read the article.
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Effort Seeks To Improve Dental Care For Those With IDD
With $51 million, a new initiative is underway to increase access to dental care for children with developmental disabilities in communities across the country.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said that the Health Resources and Services Administration is awarding funds to 28 health centers to help meet the specific dental needs of those with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.
Families of children with developmental disabilities have long reported struggles accessing dental care, with many providers ill-equipped to support sensory sensitivities, physical and communication differences and other specialized needs.
Read the full article.
| | New Medicaid Fact Sheets! | | |
Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2027 certain adults aged 19 to 64 will have to work, volunteer, or go to school to keep their coverage or qualify for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid. These are called “community engagement requirements,” also commonly known as “work requirements.” Some adults may qualify for exemptions.
In early September, NJ FamilyCare began mailing the General Notice of Community Engagement/Work Requirements to Expansion Adult members who may be affected by OBBBA/H.R.1. Visit the NJ FamilyCare Community Engagement website.
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Protect Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Medicaid-covered HCBS support people with disabilities with activities of daily living in settings of their choice, including private homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and adult day centers. HCBS includes Managed Long Term Services and Supports, Division of Developmental Disabilities services, and personal care assistance.
People with disabilities and caregivers can communicate the importance of HCBS, emphasizing the harm of any potential cuts, to their local representatives, lawmakers, state agencies, and the governor’s office.
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DMAHS Seeks CMS Approval for Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center Services
Take notice that the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), in coordination with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), intends to seek approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for amendments to the New Jersey Medicaid (Title XIX) State Plan and Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) to add coverage and reimbursement for Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center (CRSC) services to the State's array of behavioral health crisis services.
DHS has been developing a statewide behavioral health crisis continuum in concert with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the State's no-wrong-door crisis system. As part of this continuum, CRSCs are intended to provide an immediate, community-based receiving and stabilization option for individuals who need in-person behavioral health crisis care and who can be appropriately served in a non-hospital setting.
| | Mental Health and IDD Crisis Card | | |
A mental health crisis can happen anywhere at any time. And in the middle of it, explaining what you need can be especially difficult.
For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), stress, anxiety, sensory overload, and communication barriers can make those moments even harder.
Thanks to a partnership with the United Health Foundation, the new mental health crisis card helps bridge that gap by sharing important information with the people who are trying to help.
Download the Free Crisis Card
This free card includes information about:
- The best ways to communicate (verbally, written, through pictures, etc.)
- Words or phrases that help focus or de-escalate
- Numbers to call for immediate help
- And more!
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Medical Assistance Advisory Council (MAAC) Hybrid Meeting
Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM
The Conference Center at Mercer
County Community College
Federal law and State statute establishes the Medical Assistance Advisory Council (MAAC). The MAAC's primary objective is to advise the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in matters of medical care and health services for NJ FamilyCare members, and to foster communication with the public.
If you would like to attend in person, the meeting will take place at The Conference Center at Mercer County Community College from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The address is 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, NJ 08550.
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New Jersey Human Services Awards Contracts to Expand Access to Mental Health, Addiction Treatment and Primary Care Services
On Monday, October 5th, Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha announced the award of contracts to community health care providers to expand access to mental health, addiction treatment, and primary care services across the state. The contracts will support integrated care programs that bring physical health care, mental health services, and addiction treatment together in one location, making it easier for residents to get the care they need. The initiative is designed to improve health outcomes for people living with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical health concerns. The contracts were awarded to St. James Health for $391,275 and Zufall Health for $274,653. These awards follow the adoption of rules promulgating a single, integrated license for outpatient health care facilities earlier this year, and progress in expanding accessible mental healthcare through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
Read the full NJ DHS Press Release in ENGLISH and SPANISH
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Catching Up with Connor
Join us every other Thursday at 2:30pm for these livestream videos, featuring 10-15 minute educational talks on health care issues, news, and other key topics for individuals with IDD and their families.
No registration is required, but please leave a like and comment what topics you would like to see in the future!
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Virtual Office Hours
The Health Care Advocacy Program hosts virtual office hours on Mondays from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
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Meet with Connor Griffin, Director of Health Care Advocacy, to discuss healthcare questions, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security inquiries, which affect your family member or person with IDD you support.
The Director meets with registrants on a first-come, first-served basis and time is limited to 20 minutes, as needed. You may need to queue in the Zoom waiting room if the Director is already meeting with someone. Your patience is appreciated!
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