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September 27, 2023 | Issue 98 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

Anti-Bullying Task Force Announces Dates for Public Testimony

New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Task Force (ABTF) will host two public hearings, one in-person and one virtual session, to provide families, students, and other stakeholders an opportunity to share experiences regarding the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act in New Jersey schools.

Hearing from individuals who have been affected by New Jersey’s anti-bullying law will greatly inform the work of the task force who is charged with examining its impact and making recommendations for improving the way that harassment, intimidation, and bullying is addressed in schools. Insight gained from the sessions may be incorporated into the ABTF’s upcoming report.

Individuals who are interested in providing public testimony may register for either of two upcoming hearings. For more information on the hearings, how to register to provide public testimony, and also how to provide a written statement (which is recommended for any person seeking to provide public testimony), click here.

Registration is required by this Friday, September 29, 2023.

Resources

New Spanish-Language Mental Health Resources Available

Mental Health America (MHA) announces the release of three new valuable resources to enhance mental health support for Spanish-speaking communities:

Culture, Community, and Connection: 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit - The BIPOC Mental Health Month campaign and toolkit were designed to provide culturally responsive mental health information to highlight three core pillars of culture, community, and connection and how integral they are to BIPOC communities. The toolkit includes factsheets, worksheets, shareable images, and more that can aid community discussion and guide individuals to helpful resources.
Selfies, Social, and Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaces for Youth: 2023 Back to School Resources - The Back to School campaign and resources were developed to help increase understanding of how online activity affects the mental health of children and teens. The factsheets, shareable images, and other materials in the toolkit can be used to help manage the challenges of virtual spaces and empower youth to make informed decisions for their mental health and well-being.
New Mental Health Resources Hub in Spanish: The MHA Spanish-language resources hub provides a comprehensive collection of mental health materials to assist individuals, families, and others in accessing valuable mental health resources for the Spanish-speaking community.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) is landmark legislation, which changed the course of services and expanded the rights of individuals with disabilities in our nation. It set out the purpose, policy and principles that have continued to guide its implementation over the past 50 years.

Congress acknowledged that disability is a natural part of the human experience that in no way diminishes the right of millions of Americans with disabilities to live independently; enjoy self-determination; make choices; contribute to society; pursue meaningful careers; and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American society.

Since the passage of the Rehabilitation Act, the United States has maintained a policy that all programs, projects, and activities receiving assistance under the Rehabilitation Act shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the principles of—

Respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility, self-determination and pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice, of individuals with disabilities;
Respect for the privacy, rights and equal access (including the use of accessible formats), of the individuals;
Inclusion, integration and full participation of the individuals;
Support for the involvement of an individual’s representative if an individual with a disability requests, desires or needs such support; and
Support for individual and systemic advocacy and community involvement.

To read more on the anniversary, what the Act meant then, what it means now, and what it can mean in the future, click here to access the OSERS blog on the topic.