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As our community knows from our previous communications, our dear colleague and friend Beverly Roberts passed away last month. Bev started as our Mainstreaming Medical Care Director in November of 1989. In that role, Bev handled The Arc of New Jersey's health care advocacy, promoting quality medical, mental health and dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She provided tons of information on both a large and small scale - doing webinars, presentations and holding an annual conference for thirty years - and speaking to families one-on-one as they worked to navigate the maze of federal entitlement programs and the state Medicaid program. She served on many committees and task forces, including the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC), the advisory group to the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) and most-recently, a DMHAS run workgroup focusing on implementing the new Medicaid WorkAbility law. She authored countless publications, and received a number of prestigious awards from local county Chapters of The Arc, the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, PLAN/NJ, the Community Health Law Project, The Arc of NJ, and more. However, Bev never sought awards or recognition. She devoted her 33 years at The Arc of New Jersey to helping people. She was the go-to person on complex topics like SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and dental care and mental health care for people with IDD, etc. She was an absolute wealth of information and she was always willing to share that knowledge with others. She always wanted to arm people with the information they needed to succeed. Bev was a relentless advocate for our community. She was respected by policy-makers, colleagues, families and self-advocates. She was at the forefront of so many critical advocacy issues. Her passion to help others guided everything she did and

so many people with IDD are living better lives because of her hard work. We will think of her often and fondly as we grieve her passing.

Since Bev's passing, so many people have sent us remembrances that touched our hearts and, in many ways, helped us through this tough period. Thank you for those fond memories and for the many, many donations in Bev’s memory. The Arc of NJ has established a memorial fund in Beverly’s name which will be used to further her vision of increasing access to healthcare of people with IDD and ensuring that professionals are educated to support people with IDD. Donations to the memorial fund can be sent to The Arc of NJ office or completed online at www.arcnj.org.

As part of our August Recess Advocacy, The Arc of New Jersey met with members of New Jersey's congressional delegation to discuss federal policy issues impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. During these meetings, we advocated for protecting Medicaid, expanding HCBS, and needed reforms to the SSI program, among other things. Pictured above: The Arc of NJ, including Board President Kevin Sturges, meet with Congressman Kean's Legislative Director Chris Hall.

Pictured above: representatives from The Arc of Burlington County join The Arc of New Jersey to meet with Congressman Andy Kim in his district office in Willingboro.

The Arc of New Jersey is busy preparing our annual Get Out the Vote Guide for 2023. This yearly publication helps outline the process of voting, the dates, deadlines and information you need to know as we near Election Day. This year, voters can cast a ballot in person on Tuesday, November 7, but there is also an early voting period between Oct. 28, and Nov. 5, as well as drop boxes and mail-in ballot options. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Guide, which will be released later this month, along with our accompanying GOTV website which will host additional resources you'll find helpful before you head to the polls!

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.  

Click below to register for one of our many upcoming virtual events/webinars. And be sure to check out our calendar for other future events.



• Wednesday, September 20 at 6 pm: SOS! Strategies of Success for Parents of Students with Less Intensive Support Needs
• Tuesday, September 26 at 1 pm: Beyond Boundaries: Microbiota-Gut-Brain Health Axis: A Clinical, Forensic Mental Health, and Neurocriminogical Perspective”

Our weekly Facebook Live Series Mondays with Michael will return for a third season beginning on Monday, September 11th. This season includes 40 episodes scheduled throughout the '23/'24 school year which will feature special guests, informational resources, and current events. Each episode is a 10-15 minute discussion about a topic related to special education or services for children with IDD and their families. Episodes take place every Monday at 10am on our Facebook page. No registration is required, just visit our page on Mondays at 10am to attend.

www.arcnj.org