SPAN The Bridge Newsletter pictorial graphic.  Your weekly access to SPAN news, resources and events.

January 18, 2023 | Issue 62 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

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Schools Must Report Seclusion and Restraint Data


The New Jersey Department of Education sent a memo on December 14, 2022, notifying public school districts and private schools that they have to begin reporting data about how many times they:

  • Restrain students and
  • Lock students in seclusion spaces or "quiet rooms"


The first data is due on January 31, 2023. This will be the first time that these data will be reported and made public. The data reported to the state include the:

  • Type of restraint (mechanical vs physical)
  • Duration of the restraint
  • Duration of seclusion


The NJ DOE will publish school-by-school summary data about "student disciplinary actions" including restraint and seclusion. The public data will include race, gender and other demographic information about the students who have been impacted.


A 2018 New Jersey law allows students to be secluded or restrained if they are an immediate danger to themselves or others. However, students with disabilities are often repeatedly restrained or isolated in locked rooms. It is very encouraging that the state Department of Education is requiring schools to track and report this.


Read a comprehensive article by Kelly Heyboer about this issue here


Review the new Restraint and Seclusion Report form


Resources


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Resources from SPAN's START-EPSD Project

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Take Action. Stay Covered. NJ FamilyCare

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Since March of 2020, NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid has followed special rules related to the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).


These rules have allowed most NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid members to keep their health coverage, even if they no longer qualified – for example, if their income was too high.


There are new Medicaid rules beginning in April, NJ FamilyCare will begin its eligibility determination process. We could see the first wave of disenrollments in Medicaid starting May 1, 2023. It is estimated that over 350,000 people will be losing coverage.


This means that:

  • All members enrolled in an NJ FamilyCare program will be reviewed to see if they still qualify for coverage.
  • Many members will receive mail from the State of New Jersey or their County Board of Social Services as part of the review.
  • Members will have to confirm or provide additional information so NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid can decide whether they still qualify for healthcare coverage.
  • Members who do not respond to NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid mail may lose their coverage.


Important steps to take now include:

MakIng sure NJ FamilyCare / Medicaid has your correct mailing address


Confirm or update your contact information by calling NJ FamilyCare at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711).


Responding to mail from NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid:

  • Look for and respond to mail from the State of New Jersey or the local County Board of Social Services.
  • If NJ FamilyCare requests information, respond right away to avoid a gap in NJ FamilyCare coverage.


Note: People who no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare may be able to get Health coverage through GetCoveredNJ, the States' official health insurance marketplace. GetCoveredNJ offers immediate eligibility results and lets people know if they can get help lowering the cost of their monthly premiums.


Visit StayCovered NJ website for more information and tools


Read related reports from the Urban Institute:

The Impact on All Types of Health Coverage

Most Adults are Unaware...


Upcoming Events


SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.


Highlighted Event This Week

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SPAN Virtual Workshop Series for Families: Transition to Adulthood


Co-hosted by RAFT School-Based Youth Services Program


Do you have a child with a disability who is in Middle or High School?


Join us for one or all of the sessions in a virtual series that begins on January 18, 2023.


Our series of six virtual workshops will discuss the process of transition planning at age 14 and its significance in student's lives. We will discuss how families, youth and schools must work together to achieve the best outcomes for students. Please come to learn and empower your child in the transition process.


All sessions are Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.


All sessions will have live interpretation into Spanish. Los talleres se interpretarán simultáneamente al español.


Learn more about each topic and Register now for by clicking here

See all of SPAN's upcoming events with details and registration links here 

Para recibir la edición en Español de este boletín semanalmente en su correo electrónico 

haga clic aquí para suscribirse
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Managing Your Stress


Stress management is described as "the tools, strategies, or techniques that reduce stress and reduce the negative impacts stress has on your mental or physical well-being." High stress management is the same concept, but applied to scenarios that can cause a lot of stress all at once, like a breakup, moving away, or an intense argument with someone else. Let's talk about stress management, and the various ways to handle any kind of stress.


Click here to read the blog

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Join the SPAN Team - View Open Positions here

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