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May 2024

With 75 years of experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we often share with legislators, policy-makers and colleagues outside the world of disability, that we are there for a person throughout their lifetime. We are the place that people can reach out to no matter what stage of life they are in, or what new development they are working through. And that pledge truly begins with infants and toddlers through the Early Intervention System. Early Intervention, the critical period between birth and age 3, is when services and therapies can have a life-long impact on development and a person’s future potential. Timely and effective early intervention services can even possibly reduce the reliance on adult services later on in an individual’s life. But Early Intervention is more than just a schedule of therapies. It is the first step in a family’s journey into the world of available resources and supports that they didn’t know existed. It is a reassuring beginning for families who often feel like they are on this journey alone and who are ushered into services by dedicated practitioners that can help a baby or toddler achieve important milestones. This year, The Arc of New Jersey is pushing for increased funding in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget to address early intervention rates. We need to attract and retain these highly-educated practitioners to this field so that families in need of EI get the assistance they need as soon as possible. The Arc of NJ is celebrating a large milestone in June with our 75th anniversary, and we will continue to evolve and change. But nothing will change our commitment to those we serve. We are here for you every step of the way, in every stage of a person’s life. Need early intervention services? Learn more here. 

Last month, The Arc of New Jersey and representatives from local county Chapters of The Arc, headed to Washington, DC to attend the annual Disability Policy Seminar and then meet with members of New Jersey's congressional delegation. During these meetings, we stressed the need for robust Home and Community Based Services, the need to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act, and why it is so critical to update and reform SSI. Pictured top left: meeting with Congressman Tom Kean. Pictured bottom left: meeting with Congresswoman Sherrill's office. Pictured top right: meeting with Senator Booker's office.

The Arc of New Jersey was honored to have Katy Neas, the new CEO of The Arc of the United State, serve as the speaker at our Annual Meeting last month. Board members, Chapters, families and self-advocates appreciated the chance to meet Katy and learn more about what's happening in Washington, DC. We are looking forward to working with Katy in the weeks and months ahead. To read The Arc of NJ's Annual Report, click here.

Congratulations to The Arc of New Jersey's Executive team who were honored last month by The Arc of Gloucester. Executive Director Tom Baffuto, Associate Executive Director Celine Fortin, and Assistant Executive Director Michael Prendergast received the Ana Rivera Award at the Chapter's Magical Gala held in Deptford on Saturday, April 13. Tom, Celine and Michael, were humbled by this incredible recognition.

Tom will receive the William R. Testa Distinguished Service Award from The Arc Morris at their Annual Awards Gala later this month.

In April, The Arc of New Jersey launched the 2024 Leadership Institute, a unique and exciting leadership development

training program which takes the best of the best of the rising leaders of The Arc of New Jersey and the Local County Chapters, and gives them the tools and confidence they need to be the leaders of tomorrow. The approach is hands-on, dealing with real world situations faced by leaders of local chapters, with

opportunities to apply new skills and insights over the course of the program. Those participating are pictured here at the kick-off day at the Education Law Center in New Brunswick.

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

On Saturday, April 13, the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network, with the help of the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project held their annual 18th Annual Spring Luncheon. More than 250 people registered to attend the event. Congratulations to the individuals and groups who received awards:

• Ginamarie Williams
• ACS (A Program with ESCNJ)
• Noelle Anglade
• Mark Morris Dance Company
• Kaylee McGuire

The event 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. More info available here.

Last month, The NJ Elder & Disability Bar Section posthumously awarded Beverly Roberts, The Arc of New Jersey's long-time Mainstreaming Medical Care Director, with the Mary Wanderpolo Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Benefit of the Elder and Disabled Community. The Award was bestowed at the 2024 Elder Law Retreat at The Asbury Hotel on Friday, April 12. The NJ Elder & Disability Bar Section chose Bev for this award in recognition of her work as a tireless fighter for the rights and interests of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of New Jersey's Associate Executive Director Celine Fortin received the award on Bev's behalf.

Local Chapters of The Arc Host Annual Step Up Walks

Pictured top and bottom left, The Arc of Monmouth held their Step Up For The Arc event on Saturday, April 20, on the Long Branch Boardwalk. The Arc of NJ's Executive Director is pictured with representatives from the Chapter.

Pictured right in the collage, The Arc of Essex County held their 26th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run and Family Walk on Saturday April 27, at the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. The Arc of NJ's Associate Executive Director Celine Fortin is pictured with representatives from the Chapter

www.arcnj.org