The month of May was filled with continued advocacy to restore funding in the FY26 State Budget and to protect Medicaid from any potential cuts. The Arc of New Jersey continued meeting one-on-one with members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees as we enter the final weeks of the fiscal year. We are looking to reinstate three cuts:

1. Funding for our Planning for Adult Life Program
2. Funding for psychiatric and behavioral health care from The Arc of Monmouth County's Primary Care Center, and
3. Funding in FY25 that increased the camp rates in the Department of Children and Families for children with IDD.



On the federal side, we continue to push back against proposals in the budget reconciliation bill that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Recently, self-advocate Shondel Greenwood, who is supported by The Arc of Atlantic County, was highlighted by the Department of Human Services in their Medicaid Matters series. You can view that video below. Additionally, The Arc of Ocean County's Executive Director Laura Williams participated in a Medicaid Roundtable hosted by Governor Phil Murphy which also included DHS Commissioner Adelman and DCF Commissioner Norbut Beyer. Laura did an outstanding job advocating for people with IDD and highlighting the importance of the Medicaid program. The video from the event is below. Finally, The Arc of New Jersey's Senior Director Sharon Levine was an invited speaker at the Assembly Health Committee's May 6, hearing on Medicaid where she spoke about all the Medicaid-funded services that people with IDD depend on. To participate in the most recent action alert, click here.

Join us for our Zoom with Us 2025 series! This helpful series is designed for families of individuals with disabilities navigating the transition to adulthood. Register for each session below:

Planning for the Future: What to Consider

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/mtxxr3c4

Please be sure to register for each event separately using the provided links. We look forward to seeing you there!