Make sure to follow us on Facebook and X for all the latest news and updates!
Facebook  X

March 2024

The Arc of NJ Advocates for FY25 Budget Funding

What You Need to Know About The Arc of NJ's Waiting List Budget Advocacy:


The average wait time to move off the Priority Waiting List and onto the Community Care Program is 7 to 10 years. We want to move 600 people off the list in FY25 for a cost of $39 million. We urge the State to include $39 million in state dollars each year, for the next three years, to move a total of 1,800 people off the list. Broken down per year, this will mean 600 individuals with IDD are moved onto the Community Care Program in FY25, FY26, and FY27, and provided the services they need right now.

Last month, NorthJersey.com reported on the Community Care Program Waiting List and The Arc of New Jersey's advocacy to increase funding in the FY25 State Budget to move more people off the Waiting List every year for the next three years. The article featured The Arc of NJ's Family Advisory Committee Chair Kathy Mullery and her family (pictured above). Click the photo above to access the story, or click here to download it and learn more. The Governor's proposed FY25 Budget includes funding to move 400 people off the Waiting List. We are thankful that the Governor heard our advocacy on this matter and included this appropriation. We will now advocate with the Legislature to try and move that funding even higher to reach our goal of 600 people in FY25. 

On Tuesday, February 27, Governor Murphy delivered his Budget Address, outlining his funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2025. I was honored to be among those present for the speech in the Assembly Chamber that day and to speak with Governor Murphy at a reception following the event (pictured below). In total, the Governor is proposing a $55.9 billion dollar spending plan which would begin on July 1, 2024. The Arc of New Jersey is in the process of reviewing the proposed document and determining how the Budget will impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. At this time we can share the following information:

  • $5.25 million to phase in an increase of new mandatory training for Direct Support Professionals (DHS)
  • An additional $31.8 million, for a total of $67.8 million, for the WorkAbility program expansion. Workability allows people with disabilities to continue their Medicaid benefits as their income and wealth rises, reducing barriers to employment.
  • $20.9 million to annualize the impact of wage increases approved in last year’s budget for direct support professionals and supervisors.

All reports leading up to the Budget Address indicate that the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget will be far less generous than last year, as federal COVID relief dollars have dried up and the State faces lagging state tax collections and persistent inflation. However, these predictions will not stop us from advocating in the halls of Trenton and pushing for needed funding to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In response to our advocacy, more than $1.4 billion dollars in new state and federal dollars have been added into the DDD system during this Administration. This illustrates the strength of our grassroots network, and it is proof that when we are unified and we use our voice, we are a powerful and successful tool for change. I hope you will continue to stand by us in the coming months as our Budget work continues.


Thomas Baffuto

Executive Director, The Arc of NJ

The Arc of NJ Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Awards Gala

In honor of our 75th Anniversary, The Arc of New Jersey will host a celebration honor our past and recognize incredible leaders and advocates who have done so much to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The event will take place on Thursday, June 13th, at The Imperia in Somerset. Information is now available at https://bit.ly/TheArcNJ75th or scan the QR code below.

Congratulations to our 75th Anniversary honorees


Pam Corrigan 

Legacy of Volunteerism Award


Barbara Coppens 

Legacy of Self-Advocacy Award


Leone Murphy  

Beverly Roberts Memorial Healthcare Advocacy Award


Hinkle Prior & Fischer

Legacy of Community Service Award


Laura Williams

Legacy of Leadership Award

The Arc Welcomes New Children's Advocacy Director

The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to introduce Adara Heilmann as our new Director of Children's Advocacy. Adara took over the position in January after previously serving as a Transition Navigator for our Planning for Adult Life program. Here we take an opportunity to learn more about Adara's background and the ways in which she's helping children and their families across New Jersey.


1. Where did you work before joining The Arc of New Jersey and what attracted you to the role of Director of Children’s Advocacy? Before joining The Arc of New Jersey, I had the privilege of serving as a Visitation Specialist at a non-profit organization, where my focus was on reuniting biological families. Additionally, my work experience spans over a decade across various industries including healthcare, business, and hospitality which helps me bring a unique perspective to my work. To continue reading, click here.

NJ Self-Advocacy Network to Host Spring Luncheon

Registration is now open for the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network's 18th Annual NJ Self-Advocacy Network Spring Luncheon. This year's theme is A World of Opportunities and the event will take place via Zoom on Saturday, April 13. The Spring Luncheon is an opportunity for Self-Advocates and allies to network, learn about current advocacy issues, and celebrate the accomplishments of Self-Advocates over the past year. To register for this free event, click here. To nominate someone to receive an award at the Luncheon, click here.

Governmental Affairs Senior Dir Talks Budget During Panel

Sharon Levine, The Arc of New Jersey's Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and Communications, served as a co-panelist on an Advocacy Panel entitled: "Mastering Budget Season." The event, which took place on February 27, was hosted by Stono Public Affairs and held at The Lobby Club in Trenton. The panelists talked about the Budget process and tools for success when advocating for funding each year. (Pictured from left to right: Sharon Levine, Jigna Rao of the Millhill Center, Jay Redd of Stono Public Affairs, Marcela Maziarz of Thomas Edison State University, and Marilyn Davis of Altice USA.)

Sexual Violence Prevention Project Debuts New Resources

The Arc of NJ’s Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) recently launched its first online portal, filled with information about support services, relatable blogs, our *new* free Home Sexuality Education Curriculum, webinars, videos, and other supplemental media. The site provides essential resources for parents and caregivers, self-advocates, organizations, and professionals who work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, the SVPP webpage will soon feature a free Personal Safety Curriculum and a fun and innovative online card game that teaches communication and decision-making techniques (due out this summer and pictured right)! This clearinghouse for all educational, legal, and therapeutic needs surrounding disability and sexual violence can be found at TheArcSVPP.org.

Contest to Spotlight and Celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and to educate others about the abilities people with IDD possess. To celebrate this important occasion, the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project is hosting a Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month contest. The theme of this year’s contest is: “This is What Self-Advocacy Looks Like." Participants are invited to create a short 3-5 minute video that incorporates the theme of this year’s campaign. The videos will be placed across NJSAP’s social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram). Participants are invited to share their video and gather likes when submissions go live on March 25th. The top 3 posts with the highest amount of ‘likes’ on NJSAP social media pages by the deadline, April 5th, will be selected as the winners of this campaign. Winners will be announced and celebrated publicly at our Spring Luncheon on April 13th, 2024. More info available here.

Upcoming Webinars with the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project

Stay Healthy at Home webinars and Healthy Lifestyles Project LIVE! events are hosted throughout the month by the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project. Registration links for Stay Healthy at Home can be found here. This webinar series covers a variety of topics related to advocacy, life skills, employment, and civic engagement. Sessions are designed to be accessible to self-advocates, parents, and support staff. Live viewers can share comments, ask questions, and access resources. Live transcription is available. Healthy Lifestyles Project LIVE! events can be found here. This interactive series of events is hosted by the NJ Self-Advocacy Project and focuses on activities to promote health and wellness education for students and adults with IDD. Live viewers will be able to share comments, ask questions, and participate in activities led by professionals in real time. 

Upcoming In-Person & Virtual Events

Check out our calendar for future events.
 
Facebook  X  Instagram

www.arcnj.org
The Arc of New Jersey | 985 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Unsubscribe cfortin@arcnj.org
Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by advocacy@arcnj.org powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try email marketing for free today!