Sources of Information and Assistance
General:
Planning for Adult Life, planningforadultlife.org
Planning for Adult Life is a statewide project funded by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to assist young adults (between the ages of 16-21) with developmental disabilities and their families in charting a life course for adulthood. The site offers a Help Desk for individual questions, in addition, it offers a variety of resources including Informational sessions, webinars, and resource guides/materials
The Family Institute, https://www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org/who_we_are/
The Family Institute was developed as a resource for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) starting in January of 2014. Our goal is to help families find the tools and resources they need to navigate the system of care. We are dedicated to providing timely information and bridging the gap between service changes and families. We will do this by providing advocacy and education on services, transition and system issues, individual issues and so much more.
Progressive Center for Independent Living, www.pcil.org
908-782-1055, Toll free: 1-877-376-9174 TTY: 908-782-1081
The Progressive Center for Independent Living, Inc. (PCIL) (Provides service to residents of Hunterdon County) Through the promotion of choice, self-direction and inclusion, PCIL works with people with disabilities and their families to ensure the same freedoms and civil liberties as everyone else. Transition to adult life specialist on staff who can provide free assistance to families.
NJ Division of Disability Services
1-888-285-3036
NJ’s information and referral phone service for disability related information.
Guardianship in Hunterdon County, www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/surrog/message.htm
Hunterdon County Surrogate’s Court, Jessica Wallace, Special Deputy Surrogate
65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822, 908-806-4356 Direct, 908-788-1156 Main Office, Fax: 908-788-1586
New Brochure on Guardianship and Alternatives – https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/transition/GuardianshipBrochure.pdf
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR), http://www.researchautism.org
Much of their information is useful for youth with any type of special needs. Uses applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily. Great booklets (many also published in Spanish) that can be downloaded including: A Guide to Transition for Adulthood.
Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter (732) 235-9300
The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). The Boggs Center is part of the Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, they emphasize a community based, life span approach to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Excellent publications and workshops.
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), www.driver-ed.org
A nonprofit association, is the primary professional organization in the field of driver education/driver training and transportation equipment modifications for persons with disabilities through education and information dissemination. 8 sites listed in NJ.
NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home/
Website has lots of information as well as Division Policy Circulars. You must contact their offices before your child ends their educational entitlement. Number for Hunterdon residents: 609-292-1922, main number 1-800-832-9173
New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.njcdd.org
800-792-8858
The Arc of New Jersey, www.arcnj.org
732-246-2525
Many excellent programs including The Family Institute and Mainstreaming Medical Care. Mainstreaming Medical Care can help you to navigate post high school health insurance benefits including: Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and private coverage.
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), www.spanadvocacy.org
1-800-654-SPAN
The web site for the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) SPAN provides information and advocacy for kids with special needs. They have great expertise regarding transition planning in conjunction with special education as well as health care transition. The website also has a wide range of useful publications.
PLANNJ, www.plannj.org
908-575-8300
Planned Lifetime Assistance of New Jersey (PLAN/NJ) helps parents and family members of individuals with disabilities answer the question,”Who will care for my loved one when I am gone?” Often, the hardest part about planning for the future is getting started. To help, PLAN/NJ has developed tools and fact sheets that can raise important questions, inspire ideas, and help families gain control over the planning process. Ask yourself about the support your child or loved one will benefit from when you are no longer able to determine their needs.
The ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC), www.ablenrc.org
For information about the ABLE Act and ABLE Accounts.
The National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, www.thenadd.org
(845) 331-4336, (800) 331-5362
An association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
NADD is the leading North American expert in providing professionals, educators, policy makers, and families with education, training, and information on mental health issues relating to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Kids as Self Advocates (KASA), www.fvkasa.org
Kids as Self Advocates (KASA) is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth. We are teens and young adults with disabilities speaking out. KASA knows youth can make choices and advocate for themselves if they have the information and support they need.
NJ Housing Resource Center, www.njhousing.gov
Secondary Education:
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, www.ncset.org
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
Association on Higher Education and Disability, www.ahead.org
The HEATH Resource Center, www.heath.gwu.edu
The HEATH Resource Center provides online, web-based resources on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Includes Pre College Summer Programs for Kids with Special Needs Health Resource Center
Employment:
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, www.careerconnections.nj.gov
908-704-3030 or 877-872-5627
National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth, www.ncwd-youth.info
NCWD/Youth is your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. They partner with experts in disability, education, employment, and workforce development — who strive to ensure you will be provided with the highest quality, most relevant information available.
The Job Accommodation Network, www.jan.wvu.edu
A service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Job Accommodation Network’s (JAN) mission is to facilitate the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and related subjects. JAN consultants have obtained at least one Master’s degree in their specialized fields, ranging from rehabilitation counseling to education and engineering.
Resources on the JAN website includes fact sheets on topics such as the Do’s and Don’ts of Disclosure & Dealing with Hygiene Problems in the Workplace and their Searchable Online Accommodation Resource.
- Please Note: Resources and organizations named above are provided for your research purposes only.•
