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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The Arc of NJ Mourns the Passing of Beverly Roberts | |
 |  | 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.
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30 Driver Training Resources for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities | |
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Fireside Chat - Meet the Ombudsman Paul Aronsohn
Meet the Ombudsman Paul Aronsohn, Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families
During this chat we will talk about the Ombudsman's position, learn more about what he does and how he can help families when they call looking for support.
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Microbiota-Gut-Brain Health Axis: A Clinical, Forensic Mental Health, and Neurocriminogical Perspective
Presenter: Dr. Jerrod Brown Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S.
The microbiota-gut-brain health axis is a complex, neurohumoral, and bidirectional communication network that occurs between various endocrine, neuronal, metabolic, and immune pathways. When this axis becomes dysregulated, several psychiatric and medical health issues may occur. Research has also found that gut-brain health axis dysfunction may contribute to problematic behaviors. During this training, participants will learn about the implications this topic has for mood, behavior, cognition, physical health, and criminality through a clinical, forensic mental health, and neurocriminological lens.
A review of practical tips, strategies, and solutions that can be utilized when working with clinical and forensic mental health populations impacted by gut-brain health axis dysfunction will be discussed. Other relevant topics of interest discussed include psychogastroenterology, prenatal trauma, complex and developmental trauma, toxic stress, health disparities, neurodevelopmental disorders, nervous system dysfunction, alexithymia, sleep disturbances, substance misuse, nutritional deficiencies, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation among others. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training.
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Information About the Affordability Connectivity Program | |
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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.
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The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium in Branchburg offers special astronomy and music shows designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities. These sensory-friendly shows, which are appropriate for audiences of all ages, will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. During the show, the doors will remain open so children may freely leave and return if they choose. Lights will be left dim (instead of dark) and the audio will be lowered and kept at a consistent level. | | |
Professional Parent Advocacy Training & Certification | |
NJPC is offering a FREE Professional Parent Advocacy Training program for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers raising children with emotional and behavioral challenges who are involved in the mental health, juvenile justice and/or child welfare system. Parents and caregivers attending the training are given the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of the systems that serve their families, their rights and responsibilities within those systems, and the advocacy, professional, and collaborative skills needed to successfully negotiate those systems. Parents and family members will become better able to advocate for themselves and their communities, resulting in increased access to appropriate care and treatment for all children. The Professional Parent Advocacy Training is approved for foster, adoptive and kinship training credit through NJDCF. Lunch will be served or gift cards will be provided. Early registration is recommended. The training classes will be offered virtually via Zoom OR at Mr. G's Kids Community Learning Center in Paterson.
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From Our Local Chapters of The Arc | |
The Arc of Essex County Craft Beer Open
Featuring 18 holes of golf with local, on-course craft beer tastings, lunch, and a post event cocktail and awards reception, the 3rd Annual Craft Beer Open will take place on September 18, 2023 at the prestigious Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, New Jersey. Register today to experience the best of golf and craft beer while making a difference in the lives of children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Check in will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Conclude your day at the post-round cocktail and awards reception. Proceeds from the Craft Beer Open support The Arc of Essex County.
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