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June 18, 2025 | Issue 185 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

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SNAP-Ed Program Faces Elimination in GOP Budget Bill


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, faces elimination in a GOP bill, sparking concerns about the impact on low-income Americans' health education.


The potential cut alarms program leaders who say states would be forced to pare back efforts to improve Americans’ health at a moment when addressing childhood illness and chronic disease has rapidly become a major theme of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda. Supporters of the program wonder why Congress would defund efforts to teach food stamp recipients how to eat healthy at the same time Trump administration officials are, for the first time, approving state efforts to crack down on using benefits to pay for things like soda and candy.


The cut was just one line item in the House version of Trump’s massive tax and immigration bill, which passed the chamber last month. On June 11, Senate Republicans on the Agriculture Committee released their legislative text, which eliminates funding for SNAP-Ed going forward.


To learn more about what the SNAP-Ed program is, click here for a great history and an informative infographic.


To read more about this issue as covered in the Washington Post, click here.

NJ Dept. of Education Summer Learning Institute logo

NJ Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education, Summer Learning Institute


July 14 - July 25


The New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) Office of Special Education will be hosting the 3rd Annual Summer Learning Institute (SLI 2025) through the Learning Resource Centers (LRC) to empower educators and families with the knowledge and support they need to meet the needs of diverse learners.


The theme for this year is “Every Learner, Every Step, Every Path”. The SLI 2025 will offer a variety of professional learning opportunities to enhance our schools’ ability to provide a continuum of support to the diverse students of New Jersey. Improving policies, practices, and procedures will empower educators, families, and stakeholders to better serve every learner along their educational and life journey. Expect a mix of sessions led by NJDOE experts, as well as collaborative presentations with external organizations.


Over twenty-one (21) sessions will be offered for administrators, teachers, child study team members, families, and other stakeholders from July 14th through July 25th. Sessions will be held virtually with the exception of one, three-hour, in-person workshop on Using Early Literacy Data for Instructional Planning at the Learning Resource Center – Central on July 17th.


To learn more and access the registration links, click here.

Resources

Understanding Supported Decision-Making


July 23, 2025

12:00 - 1:00 PM


Join REAL Transition Partners for a Lunchtime Learning webinar where attendees will:


  • Learn about the principles of Supported Decision-Making and how it is used as an alternative to guardianship.
  • Discuss the roles and responsibilities of both the young adult and the support team.
  • Hear first hand from a individual using Supported Decision-Making in their every day life.


Presented by:


Naomi Brickel, Project Director, Supported Decision-Making New York (SDMNY), Hunter/Research Foundation of CUNY; and Nichole Hastings, Coordinator of Self-Advocacy, WIHD, SDM Decision-Maker


To register, click here.

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Virtual Conversation: Ensuring Safety & Thriving Lives in Licensed Settings


Monday, June 30

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Online


On Monday, June 30, New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) will co-host a virtual conversation: Ensuring Safety & Thriving Lives in Licensed Settings. In light of the “Hidden at Home” investigative news series, which exposed critical flaws in New Jersey’s licensed residential settings for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), they invite all stakeholders, particularly parents and other family members, to share their experiences.


To read more about the event, click here.


To register, click here.

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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Building the Whole Child: Skills for Life and Learning


Tuesday, June 24, 2025

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

Online


Brought to you through a partnership

between the New Jersey Family

Engagement Hub and SEL 4 NJ: Social Emotional Learning Alliance for New Jersey.


In this workshop, parents will learn the five core Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies, see how these skills show up in everyday life, and walk away with simple, practical strategies to support their child’s emotional growth and resilience at home.


Presenter: Erica Brentan


To register, click 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 

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SPAN Youth Hub graphic image

Personal Growth: The Next Version of You


Check out our latest youth blog post, 'Personal Growth: The Next Version of You,' and discover simple ways to become a more confident, capable you.


To access the post, click here.

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