ARC OF NEW JERSEY INCORPORATED

The Arc of New Jersey promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes; and is committed to enhancing the quality of life of those individuals and their families through advocacy, empowerment, education and prevention. Programs: The Citizen Advocacy Program ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the supports and services which help them to be independent and integrated members of their community by providing case management services and volunteer advocates. The New Jersey Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities works to mobilize individuals, agencies, government, communities and families in a strong statewide effort to reduce the incidence of preventable developmental disabilities.

The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program is the only one of its kind in New Jersey that provides alternatives to incarceration on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities who are defendants in the criminal justice system through advocacy, case management, education, and training. The Director of Education Advocacy assists families and school districts in ensuring that children with disabilities receive quality educational services appropriately tailored to their needs. The Family Advocacy Program organizes and assists family members of individuals with developmental disabilities in advocating at the state level for positive changes in public policy related to issues faced by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Director of the Mainstreaming Medical Care Program advocates for quality health care for people with developmental disabilities and monitors and advocates for changes in Medicaid and Medicare that affect individuals with developmental disabilities. Project HIRE is an employment placement and training program for adults with developmental disabilities and provides transition services designed to assist schools in developing and implementing quality transition plans for students in special education programs. The New Jersey Self Advocacy Project supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in learning the skills necessary to speak for themselves, organizing around issues of importance to them, and working collectively on projects of their choosing.