In this Week's Edition
News
Save the Date - Developers Meeting
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President Biden Issues New Policies
on Vaccinations and Testing
to Battle COVID-19 Pandemic
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FHFA Announces Equitable
Housing Finance Plan Requirement
for Government-Sponsored Enterprises
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Special Meeting of the New Jersey
Medical Assistance Advisory Council
on September 13, 2021
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New Jersey to Level the Balance in
Landlord-Tenant Court by Providing
Legal Services to Tenants in Three Cities
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US Treasury CDFI Fund Awards
$5B in New Markets Tax Credits
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Available Grants from DMHAS and NJDOH
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DMHAS Launches Operation
Expanded Testing for COVID
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Gains Made in nTIDE
August Employment Report
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NJ Human Services Highlights
Initiatives in New Jersey to Create More Inclusive and Healthy Communities
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New Jersey Marks Suicide Prevention Week
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Foothold Technology
Recognize a DSP Doing Amazing Work
Sept 30th Webinar: What’s the Buzz
Around Integrated Care?
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Registration Open!
Award Winners Announced
Join SHA's Awards and Conference
Sept 27th, Nov 9th and Nov 10th
Resources & Virtual Forums
Access To Recovery (ATR) Prepares
National Symposium on Working Recovery
September 14, 2021
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Town Hall Discussion - Making Nature and
Parks More Accessible for Disabled People
September 14, 2021
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Yoga and Mindfulness for Stressful Times
September 15, 2021
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Save the Date – National Disability Forum
Equity in SSA Programs: Hidden Barriers
September 15, 2021
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Criminal Record Expungement Seminar
September 15, 2021
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DRNJ 2021 Assistive Technology and
Community Living Summit
September 23-24, 2021
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Community-Based Health and Wellness Resource Events - 2021 Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festival Tour
September - October
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The 6th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
October 6, 2021
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
With Special Guest
Lorissa Luciani, PP, AICP, Deputy Administrator
1:00–3:00PM via Zoom
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
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Save the Date
National Disability Forum
Equity in SSA Programs:
Hidden Barriers
September 15, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Details to follow
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Save the Date!
NJ DMHAS
Opioid Summit
September 21-22, 2021
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Sept. 22, 2021 | 6-9:30pm
Wilshire Grand Hotel
West Orange, NJ
RSVP by August 31, 2021
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Save the Date!
September 27, 2021
SHA Supportive Housing Awards Reception
The Palace - Somerset, NJ
Save the Date!
November 9-10, 2021
SHA 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference
Virtual Event
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Save the Date!
Virtual Celebration
September 28, 1-5 pm ET
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Registration Open
Virtual Event
September 29th & 30th
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A special shout out to New Jersey Community Capital as they welcome Bernel Hall as New President and CEO. Hall succeeds Wayne Meyer, who stepped down in June 2021 after a 12-year career at NJCC. Hall begins his role on October 25, 2021. As a Coro Fellowship alumnus, Hall’s leadership is shaped by a commitment to public service. He joins NJCC from Invest Newark, where he served as president and chief executive officer. In this role, he was instrumental in forming the state’s only land bank, a municipally sponsored fiber optic company, an employee-owned paper company, and an infrastructure investment fund co-managed with NJCC. Hall began his career as an investment banker with Bank of America and subsequently with UBS Investment Bank and Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group. He also served as a senior portfolio manager at the New York City Housing Authority and serves on the Hudson County Economic Development Corporation board of directors.
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SHA joins CSH in celebrating 30 years of service to communities near and far in the supportive housing field. As part of their anniversary, you can receive a great 30% discount on any training from CSH. Just visit their upcoming courses here and submit your order using the code: 30ANNIV for 30% off. This offer is only good until this Saturday.
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Congratulations to the North Bergen Housing Authority as they broke ground on a new 61-unit complex to provide housing for seniors, people with disabilities, and residents with section-8 vouchers.
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A shout out to DCM Associates as they increase their reach and services to a national level. Their recent growth now includes three regional offices and clients in almost every state serving non-profit organizations. |
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Save the Date! Next SHA Developers Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2021 1-3 PM/ET
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Members can join us on Monday, September 13th for a virtual meeting of our Developers Group to discuss the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
With Special Guest
Lorissa Luciani, PP, AICP, Deputy Administrator
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA)
Division of Housing & Community Resources – Housing Production
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2021 |
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President Biden Issues New Policies on
Vaccinations and Testing to Battle COVID-19 Pandemic
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Yesterday, President Biden addressed the nation with updates related to policy and regulations to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is developing a rule requiring all employers with at least 100 employees to make sure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require unvaccinated workers to get a negative test at least once a week. OSHA will issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to introduce the vaccine requirement. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of $14,000 per violation, said President Biden.
That was just one of the mandates and changes the President announced in a speech on boosting vaccinations and battling the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden also announced vaccination requirements for health care providers that accept Medicare and Medicaid, for all federal employees and contractors and for the staffs of Head Start programs, Department of Defense Schools and Bureau of Indian Education-operated schools. President Biden had announced in July the federal workforce would need to provide evidence that they had been vaccinated or submit to regular testing and practice social distancing measures in the workplace. (CBS News, September 9, 2021)
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FHFA Announces Equitable Housing Finance Plan Requirement for Government-Sponsored Enterprises |
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The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it will require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Government-Sponsored Enterprises, or GSEs) to submit three-year Equitable Housing Finance plans that describe each GSE’s planned efforts to advance equity in housing finance. The first three-year plans are due to FHFA by the end of 2021 and will be updated by the GSEs annually thereafter. The first Equitable Housing Finance plans must include objectives, measurable goals and planned meaningful actions related to: 1) reducing the racial or ethnic homeownership gap; and 2) reducing underinvestment or undervaluation in formerly redlined areas that remain underserved, undervalued or racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty. Additionally, the FHFA provided the GSEs with a non-exclusive list of objectives and goals that could be undertaken in the plans, including reducing racial or ethnic disparities in the share of loans acquired by each GSE compared to the overall mortgage market. The FHFA is seeking public input and information through a Request for Input (RFI) to aid the GSEs in preparing their first Equitable Housing Finance plans and to aid the FHFA in overseeing the plans through Monday, October 25.
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Special Meeting of the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council on September 13, 2021 |
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TAKE NOTICE
The Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) has scheduled a special meeting of the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council (MAAC) for the following date:
Monday, September 13, 2021
This meeting of the MAAC will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 12:00 PM
The topic of the Special MAAC meeting will be the New Jersey FamilyCare Comprehensive Demonstration Renewal (1115 Waiver Renewal).
TAKE ADDITIONAL NOTICE
The next regularly scheduled MAAC meeting is scheduled as follows:
Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Please contact (609) 588-2600 for more information.
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New Jersey to Level the Balance in Landlord-Tenant Court by Providing Legal Services to Tenants in Three Cities |
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Recent analysis from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab show a housing system that disproportionately impacts families of color, with Black women facing the highest rates of eviction. New Jersey is seeking to provide supports for renters in three cities and bring balance to the process, and in turn help people stay housed. Read more about the efforts happening in Atlantic City, East Orange, and Trenton to provide legal aide and minimize the disproportionate effects on renters without legal counsel.
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US Treasury CDFI Fund Awards
$5B in New Markets Tax Credits
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The U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) to 100 Community Development Entities (CDEs) across the U.S., under the CY20 round of the NMTC Program. The awarded CDEs were selected from a pool of over 200 applicants that requested an aggregate total of $15.1 billion in NMTC allocation authority.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen noted that these NMTC awards will create jobs and spur economic growth in urban and rural communities across the country, many of which have confronted economic challenges and underinvestment for decades. Additionally, Secretary Yellen called on Congress to sustain these vital community development investments by making the NMTC program permanent.
SHA congratulates members who received funding included Capital Impact Partners, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Enterprise Community Partners, and NJ Community Capital. A complete list of recipients is available here.
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Available Grants from DMHAS and NJDOH |
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DMHAS Grant for Expanded
Hour/Same Day Service OTPs
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This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued for the development of an Expanded Hour/Same Day Service to Methadone and Other Medications in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) initiative. The SOR grant period is September 30, 2020 to September 29, 2022. Funding is available through September 29, 2022, depending on Federal appropriations. The Expanded Hour/Same Day Service to Methadone and Other Medications in OTPs initiative (Short Title: Expanded Hour/Same Day Service OTPs) is intended to be a one (1) year program. Total annualized funding is $1,600,000, subject to Federal appropriations, which must include services to provide low threshold, on-demand Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) followed by treatment or referral to ongoing care for individuals with an opioid use disorder (OUD).
DMHAS anticipates making up to two (2) awards in the amount of $800,000 for each award for one (1) year. NJ-licensed OTPs located in the following seven (7) counties are eligible to apply: Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, and Union Counties.
No Mandatory Bidders Conference.
Proposal Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 15, 2021
Notify Date – October 15, 2021
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NJDOH Grant for Community Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations and Healthcare Systems
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced a competitive grant funding opportunity called “NJ Health Equity Response to COVID-19”, which has an expected start date of November 1, 2021. The funded programs must address COVID-19 public health disparities among high-risk and underserved populations. This can be by building, leveraging and expanding infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention; mobilizing partners and collaborators to advance health equity and the social determinants of health; and increasing access to health education resources. Grant activities must be completed, and funding must be obligated and expended by October 31, 2022. Applications are due by September 24, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. EST.
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DMHAS Launches Operation Expanded Testing for COVID |
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The following update was provided on behalf of DMHAS Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke:
As you prepare for compliance with Executive Order 252 (settings covered in the Executive Order include: residential detox, short-term and long-term residential substance use disorder treatment facilities, opioid treatment programs, licensed community residence for adults with mental illness (Level A+, A and B)), I want to make you aware of Operation Expanded Testing (ET) a federally-funded program that supports COVID-19 screening testing. In addition, organizations that are not subject to Executive Order 252 but have an interest in establishing a COVID-19 testing plan as part of your strategy to help prevent outbreaks, may also reach out to Operation Expanded Testing.
New Jersey is a part of Operation Expanded Testing’s Northeast Hub. You may contact Sean Plotner at seanplotner@eurofinsus.com for additional information including determining your organization’s eligibility to participate in the program and the parameters of the program.
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Gains Made in nTIDE August Employment Report |
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East Hanover, NJ – The August job numbers rose for people with disabilities in contrast to declines for people without disabilities, according to the August National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). This improvement may be a sign of resilience among workers with disabilities, who have continued striving to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NJ Human Services Highlights Initiatives in New Jersey
to Create More Inclusive and Healthy Communities
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The IHC Grant Program is an initiative spearheaded by the Human Services’ Division of Disability Services and is the first of its kind in the state. The program launched this past January and the first cycle of funding runs through June 30, 2022. This allows grantees nearly 18 months to implement proposed work plans.
As a recipient in this grant program, the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey is working with partners and self-advocates in developing a set of criteria and rating system that can assist people with disabilities and communities to better evaluate a community’s benefits and growth areas around inclusivity. They are shifting the focus from defining inclusion as making accommodations to inspiring municipalities to change the way they think of inclusion and integration by empowering them to increase the capacity of people with disabilities.
View entire press release that features additional projects funded through the IHC grants as well as more information about the grant.
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New Jersey Marks Suicide Prevention Week |
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In a recent Proclamation from Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Oliver, New Jersey marks this week as suicide prevention week from Sunday, September 5th through Saturday, September 11th. To help those in need, please refer to the following resources and seek help and reach out to those who need help. You can learn more at the upcoming suicide prevention conference, Trauma: The Hidden Face of Suicide on Wednesday October 6, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 1 PM.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Text Line
New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline
1-855--654-6735
Vet2Vet
1-866-838-7654
Cop2Cop
1-866-267-2267
2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline
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Foothold Technology
Recognize a DSP Doing Amazing Work
Webinar: What’s the Buzz Around Integrated Care?
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Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a special and essential role in supporting individuals receiving I/DD services, empowering them to lead independent and meaningful lives.
This year for DSP Recognition Week, Foothold Technology invites you to participate with us as we extend our gratitude to DSPs everywhere. We are building a digital recognition board and we’re collecting stories. Nominate a DSP you believe is doing amazing work, and we’ll feature them on our recognition board during DSP Recognition Week - September 12-18. We’ll also send them a $5 Starbucks gift card to say thanks for the great work they do.
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Webinar: What’s the Buzz Around Integrated Care?
Thursday, September 30, 2021 | 1:00 – 2:00 ET
Integrated care models are popping up everywhere--so what’s all the buzz about? Join Foothold Technology and a panel of thought leaders in the industry to discuss the benefits of integrated care and its impact on providers. Come hear about the evolution of integrated models, where we are today, and what the future may hold.
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Registration Open!
Join SHA for the 23rd Annual
Supportive Housing Conference
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Get the best of both worlds for our 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference with an in-person awards reception and virtual workshop and keynote experiences. Save on registering with Early Bird Pricing before September 24th. Save even more when you register 3 or more together on the same order and get 25% off your entire purchase!
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November 9-10
Virtual Conference
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Early Bird before September 24th |
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Regular Price after September 24th |
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September 27th
Award Reception
Package Deal
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+ $50 (when purchased
with virtual conference)
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September 27th Award
Reception Only:
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Congratulations to our Award Winners! |
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Carolyn Ford
Oaks Integrated Care
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Ahmed J. Taylor
SERV Properties
and Management
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Saint Paul
Senior Housing
Edison, NJ
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The Pinnacle
Fort Lee, NJ
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September 27, 2021
The Palace – Somerset, NJ
Join us this September at The Palace as we celebrate our honorees during the 2021 Supportive Housing Awards Reception. Attendees will have opportunities to reconnect, speak with sponsoring partners, and network over refreshments before honoring our 2021 Award recipients.
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November 9, 2021
November 10, 2021
Join us this November from the comfort of your computer as we provide two half-days of excellent workshop presentations and discussions. Registered attendees won't miss a moment as all sessions will be recorded and accessible to attendees for 3-months following.
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Support and Share Your Message! |
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Keynote Sponsor Listings have been filled but there are still great opportunities to sponsor at premier levels, sponsoring a workshop, or sponsoring the award event. |
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Conference Sponsors
Make the most of your support and sharing your organization with attendees through various levels of sponsorship. Review our form and choose a sponsor level to start sharing your logo, information, and content with our attendees.
Premier Level Sponsors (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) will also receive a year of membership with the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey.
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Conference Exhibitors
Do you have a product or service to share with our attendees? Exhibitors can access contact options with great tools to interact with attendees. Event passport will help attendees engage with exhibitors through prize and gift incentives on the platform. Consider booking a virtual exhibit space during our conference and share your story with community members.
**Get the best of both events with the new Award Event Sponsor level.
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Resources & Virtual Forums |
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Access To Recovery (ATR) Prepares
National Symposium Focusing on Working Recovery
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Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Celebrate Labor Day and National Recovery Month by joining world-renowned experts, including keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, for this special one-day online event focused on cutting-edge ideas to help people in early recovery.
The symposium will be offered at no charge and will include such sessions as:
• Answering the Why: What Does the Research Say About the Importance of Employment
to Recovery?
• Banding Together: Cross-Systems Collaboration Is Key
• Rally Employers: Now Is the Time to Advance “Recovery-Ready Workplaces”
• What We Do and How We Do It: A Groundbreaking Approach—The ATR Model for
Customized Employment Supports for People with Substance Use Disorders
• Call to Action: Next Steps to Carry Us Forward
Watch for registration information coming soon here:
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Town Hall Discussion - Making Nature and
Parks More Accessible for Disabled People
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On behalf of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Disability Rights New Jersey, and Hopeworks you are invited to join the second Town Hall & Listening Session on how to make parks and nature more accessible for people that identify as disabled. It isn't easy for people with disabilities to get reliable information about visiting parks and natural areas. Are the trails wheelchair accessible? Are the signs easy to understand? Are there accessible bathrooms? Share your experiences and ideas at this online town hall and help bring change!
Join us for an online town hall discussion!
September 14, 2021 | 7:00 pm to 8:00 PM
ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be provided for this event.
The discussion goal is to learn about the barriers some people face in enjoying New Jersey’s parks and forests. This feedback will inform the creation of an online, mobile-friendly tool that will provide accessibility information about these parks and forests. We will also identify improvements and new facilities that are needed. Please share with others!
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Yoga and Mindfulness for Stressful Times |
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Wednesday, September 15, 2021 | 12 PM (EST)
The Family Resource Network is inviting you to nourish your mind with the Brunch for the Brain webinar series!
Presented by Ashrams for Autism
This 1-hour stress management workshop will be a hands-on experience to help create more peace during stressful times.
This “how to” workshop will include light yoga movements, breathing techniques and a deep relaxation.
These yogic and mindfulness practices aim to calm the nervous system
and reduce stress.
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Save the Date – National Disability Forum
Equity in SSA Programs: Hidden Barriers
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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Platform - Microsoft Teams
Morning Session 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Afternoon Session 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
STAY TUNED: Additional details are forthcoming.
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Criminal Record Expungement Seminar |
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Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 9:00am-6:00pm
Gateway Early Head Start / Head Start in partnership with the Atlantic and Cape May County Superior Courts, will be hosting an expungement seminar at the All Wars Memorial Building / Soldiers Home (1510 Adriatic Avenue in Atlantic City) on Tuesday 9/21/2021 from 9am-6pm to assist community members with filing for an expungement. An expungement is a legal process that allows someone to have their criminal record shielded from public view, permitting a person to answer questions on job, school, housing, and financial applications as if the conviction never occurred.
Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome (though walk-ins will have to wait to have their eligibility determined). Participants can pre-register by emailing their name and date of birth to: Jill.Houck@njcourts.gov.
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DRNJ 2021 Assistive Technology and
Community Living Summit
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Disability Rights New Jersey invites you to our 2021 Assistive Technology and Community Living Summit on September 23-24. This year we will be hosting workshops for consumers and professions that will cover a wide variety of topics about assistive technology and community living.
Last year's virtual event was attended by over 350 individuals and featured more than 25 concurrent sessions focused on all areas of Assistive Technology. This year's virtual event will be even bigger and better - with speakers and participants from all across the country!
Day 1: Thursday, September 23, 2021
8:30am - 3:00pm Eastern Time
Day 2: Friday, September 24, 2021
8:30am - 1:00pm Eastern Time
Includes accepted sessions and the schedule at a glance
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Community-Based Health and Wellness Resource Events
2021 Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festival Tour
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Be sure to visit one of the three upcoming Sustainable Health & Wellness Village® Festivals (SHWV) being held throughout NJ in the coming months. Organized by Caresparc Consulting in conjunction with city officials, these FREE, 3-day community-based health and wellness festivals offer attendees baseline health screenings and consultations, expert-led educational presentations, information on practical lifestyle products and many other healthy and fun activities designed for all ages, such as live music performances, art demonstrations, group fitness activities and more. This year’s festivals were designed with careful attention to current CDC guidelines, including use of face coverings, physical distancing, and open-air pavilions.
Dates and locations as follows:
Please see attached flyers for more information and share widely.
Is your agency/program interested in having a table at the festivals? Contact Kevin Silvestri of Caresparc Consulting at: ksilvestrini@caresparc.com
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The 6th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference |
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NJ Department of Human Services in partnership with NJ Department of Health Presents:
The 6th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
Save The Date
Wednesday October 6, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 1 PM
We welcome anyone interested in learning about trauma and suicide prevention. The conference will feature presentations, breakout sessions, and a panel discussion.
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member, send donations, or shop with AmazonSmile. Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Diane Riley, Executive Director
Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager
Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager
Diane Klein, Conference Registrar
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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