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The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute provides caregivers with the necessary resources and education to access the appropriate supports and services for their loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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In The News
NJ isn't tracking school district compliance with COVID-related law for students with disabilities
"In early 2022, New Jersey passed a pandemic-related “compensatory education law” that requires school districts to meet with all students who received special education services between March 18, 2020, and Sept. 1, 2021, to determine if they missed services during the pandemic. The law also requires districts to find ways to fill in the gaps for students who did miss out." Read more here.
Postsecondary student with Autism spurs NCAA rule change
"NCAA rules generally require athletes to be full-time students in degree-bearing programs. DeSimone is enrolled in Gwynedd Mercy’s Integrated Studies program for students with intellectual disabilities; they earn certificates, not degrees." Read more here.
Honoring Family Advocates
As an organization founded by families, The Arc of New Jersey is always proud to honor individuals who support a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). Family members play a vital role in the lives of children with IDD, often becoming advocates for education, inclusion, and services. Every month, we will feature a parent or family member who has shown incredible advocacy skills related to special education. Our January Education Advocate of the Month is Quadira Whitehead! We asked Quadira about her experience as an advocate, see her responses below.
Virtually Awesome
Mondays with Michael on Facebook Live
Our Facebook Live series "Mondays with Michael" continued this month with episodes on evaluations and re-evals, getting involved with the school, and discipline rules in IEPs. Some upcoming episodes include the timeline for getting an IEP, and a 3-part miniseries about parental rights.

All of our episodes are recorded, so just visit the videos tab on our Facebook page to view previous episodes.

If you're new to the series, every episode is a quick 10-minute chat about a different topic related to special education. No registration is required to attend, just visit our Facebook page every Monday at 10 am to watch, and remember to leave a comment!
Mission to Transition
Transition Toolkit from the New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Transition Toolkit is designed to assist school staff and students with disabilities and their families in their efforts to prepare students with disabilities for entry into a successful adult life after high school. The work to prepare students for a successful adult life that is done by school staff, students, family members, agency staff, and others is referred to as “transition planning” and “transition services” since students are transitioning from school to adult life. 
Reality Tech
Word Prediction Software
"Word prediction software is an assistive technology (AT) tool that suggests words as a person types them. If you want your student to use it and/or your student’s IEP or 504 Plan team suggest it, what should be included in the accommodation? How should it be written?"

Word prediction is just one of many assistive technology tools that can be helpful for students who receive special education. In fact, many of these tools are already installed on many smartphones and computers.
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The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute | 732.828.2022 | thearcfamilyinstitute.org
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