National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Every October, we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and celebrate the value and talent of workers with disabilities. It is a chance to recognize workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to raise awareness of the community as a large and untapped talent pool in the U.S. labor force. This year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) chose "Celebrating Value and Talent" as the 2026 NDEAM theme. For more information, visit the U.S. DOL website.

Project SEARCH's 10 Year Anniversary

Pictured: Project SEARCH Class of 2026

Project HIRE's Project SEARCH program, which offers year-long internship opportunities for young adults with IDD, celebrated an incredible 10 years of success at Atlantic Health System's Overlook Medical Center, on September 24th. For the past decade, Overlook Medical Center has partnered with Project SEARCH to provide young adults with valuable opportunities to gain real-world job skills, build confidence, and prepare for meaningful employment.

Approximately 80 interns have participated in this program, beginning a journey that has helped shape their futures. Through hands-on experience, training, and support from dedicated staff and mentors, these interns have developed skills that extend far beyond the hospital. Today, Project SEARCH graduates are working throughout their communities in a variety of fields, including hospitals, restaurants, offices, retail stores, and other businesses. Their success is a powerful reminder of what can happen when individuals are given the opportunity, support, and encouragement to reach their full potential.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate 10 years of partnership, growth, opportunity, and success, and we look forward to seeing where the next chapter takes our Project SEARCH interns and graduates! Learn more about Project SEARCH here.

Project HIRE's Employer Highlight: Taco Bell - Succasunna Location

In honor of NDEAM, Project HIRE is highlighting one of its many employers that have worked with the program for many years.

For more than a decade, the Taco Bell Succasunna location has partnered with Project HIRE to create meaningful competitive employment opportunities for individuals with IDD. The location's managers, Staci and Tonya, understand that inclusion means more than simply providing a job. The Succasunna Taco Bell team has provided Project HIRE participants with opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and grow in their careers.

Staci and Tonya have created a culture where inclusion is not a program, but simply part of how they do business. Their compassion and leadership has created opportunities, strengthened self-advocacy, and helped individuals with IDD build confidence, independence, and a true sense of belonging. Next time you are in Succasunna, be sure to check them out!

Advocacy Updates

The NJ Department of Children & Families Visits The Arc of NJ

Left to Right:

Scott Hennis, CEO, The Arc of Atlantic County;

Ruby Goyal-Carkeek, Deputy Commissioner, DCF; Joseph Ribsam, Acting Commissioner, DCF;

Céline Fortin, Executive Director, The Arc of NJ; Laura Williams, Executive Director, The Arc Ocean County Chapter; Michael Pearson Jr.,

Senior Director, Governmental Affairs & Communications, The Arc of NJ; and

Adara Heilmann, Director, Children's Advocacy, The Arc of NJ

On September 1st, we welcomed DCF Commissioner, Joseph Ribsam and Deputy Commissioner, Ruby Goyal-Carkeek to our main office for a conversation about issues facing children with IDD and youth services provided by chapters of The Arc. Executive Director, Céline Fortin was joined by Adara Heilmann and Michael Pearson Jr. of The Arc of New Jersey, along with Laura Williams from The Arc of Ocean County and Scott Hennis from The Arc of Atlantic County. Thank you again to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, and we look forward to working with you.

Children's Advocacy Director

Testifies at State

Board of Education Hearing

Children's Advocacy Director, Adara Heilmann visited the New Jersey Department of Education, on September 9th, and testified before the State Board of Education. Her testimony centered around inclusion rates and the importance of providing quality education to every NJ student, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thank you to the State Board of Education for the opportunity to testify, and for its continued support for students with IDD.

Pictured:

Adara Heilmann, Director, Children's Advocacy, The Arc of New Jersey testifying.

Left to Right:

Libby Vinson, CEO, NJ Association of Community Providers (NJACP); Mary Ciccone, Policy Director, Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ);

Michael Pearson Jr., Senior Director, Governmental Affairs & Communications, The Arc of NJ; and Cathy Chin; Executive Director, Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD)

The Arc of NJ Testifies at

the State House

On September 14th, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs & Communications, Michael Pearson Jr. attended a hearing and testified on Bill A2705. The bill, commonly referred to as the "Choice of Cameras Bill," would require certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon request and with uniform resident consent. Pearson, alongside other state agencies, noted that the bill does not sufficiently account for nuances that would further burden group homes and does not take into account the rights and wishes of individuals with disabilities and their families who may not want cameras in their homes.

Get Out The Vote Guide

Get Out The Vote 2026 Guide

2026 is an important year for New Jersey, with the midterm elections this November setting the stage for the 120th U.S. Congress. As a person with a disability, family member, or someone who cares about a person with a disability, it is essential to learn about the candidates and make a plan to vote in this year's election. Whoever wins in November will have tremendous influence over the services, supports, and policies that impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

We hope that as you make a voting plan for November, that you will use our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Guide as a tool to help you on your way. Inside, you will find information about the different ways you can vote, important deadlines for registering and casting a ballot, how to locate your polling place, and more. We encourage you to also check out www.GOTVNJ.org for additional resources and information.

Local County Chapters

Pictured:

NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner, Dr. Stephen Cha with DSPs from Local County Chapters of The Arc of NJ

Empowering Excellence Conference

The Local County Chapters of The Arc of New Jersey held the first Empowering Excellence Conference in Atlantic City on September 17th and 18th. The conference was held to honor, recognize, and acknowledge the tremendous impact and role that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors have in ensuring that people with IDD are able to fully engage with their lives and communities. Thank you to all DSPs for your dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.

Special thanks to NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner, Dr. Stephen Cha for his remarks and presenting the Governor's proclamation for DSP Recognition Week.

Executive Director Visits The Arc of Burlington County for 70th Anniversary

On September 9th, Executive Director, Céline Fortin joined The Arc of Burlington County for their 70th Anniversary Celebration. Assemblyman Balvir Singh presented a proclamation honoring the Chapter on their anniversary.


Congratulations to The Arc of Burlington on their many years of success and service.

Left to Right:

Joanna Nevadomski, Executive Director, The Arc of Burlington; Susan Fegely, President, The Arc of Burlington; Assemblyman Balvir Singh (D-7);

Céline Fortin, Executive Director, The Arc of NJ; and Charlene Tinnick, Assistant Executive Director, The Arc of Burlington

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events

Parent Advocacy Trainings

The Arc of Hunterdon | October 21 at 6:30pm

The Arc of Union | October 28 at 7pm

ArcMorris | November 10 at 6pm

The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute is hosting a number of Parent Advocacy Trainings across the state. Join them for an evening of learning, sharing, and using our voices to make change, whether in school or at the State House.

For more information and tickets, please visit the Family Institute calendar here.

The 3rd Annual Beverly Roberts Memorial Health Care Symposium

November 4 | 8am - 1:30pm

$30 Registration | NJ Law Center

Join us for a half day event dedicated to advancing healthcare and achieving optimal health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This symposium will gather multidisciplinary experts across medical, behavioral health, mental health, disability services, education, and social services. Together, these experts will discuss how we can deliver better outcomes for people with IDD across the state through effective cross-collaboration and innovative solutions.

For more information, please visit the Health Care Advocacy website here.

Upcoming Programming (Virtual Webinars and In-Person Events)

Stay Healthy at Home webinars and Healthy Lifestyles Project LIVE! events are hosted throughout the month by the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project.

Registration links for Stay Healthy at Home can be found here.

Healthy Lifestyles Project LIVE! events can be found here.

This interactive series of events is hosted by the NJ Self-Advocacy Project and focuses on activities to promote health and wellness education for students and adults with IDD.

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For information on this month's open Training and Consultation webinars, please visit the Training and Consultation Services website here.

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