Not an easy watch, but an informative one.
Category Archives: Health Advocacy
Give Your Input On The NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities 5 Year Plan
Parents and Students are welcome to take this Survey or provide further input and suggestions. The online survey may be taken in English or Spanish and may be done anonymously.
PRESS HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY OR GET FURTHER INFORMATION
From the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities:
“Every five years, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities develops a State Plan that reflects a comprehensive review of major service systems and issues as they affect children, teens, and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in New Jersey. The State Plan is developed in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). The Council’s work centers around system change activities.
The plan is important because it outlines goals, objectives, and activities that the NJCDD will implement in order to bring about system change. The State Plan guides the work of the Council and drives decisions about how staff and fiscal resources are used.
Right now, NJCDD is in the process of developing its Five-Year State Plan for the period from October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2026.
We are gathering input from the community to formulate our goals for the next five years. We want to hear from individuals with I/DD, families, caregivers, service providers and other stakeholders about what is working for people with developmental disabilities; what needs to change; and, how could it be changed.”
DEADINE is July31,2020
A Helpful App for Hearing/Speech Problems
GOOGLE LIVE TRANSCRIBE Can be a very helpful APP, for your phone for aiding communications with those who are hearing impaired, deaf or have trouble processing speech. Basically, when opened it gives live closed captioning to the words you say, which come up on your phone screen and the other party can read what you have just said. They can respond with spoken words or type. You can also switch between languages.
” Live Transcribe was made in collaboration with Gallaudet University, the premier Deaf and hard of hearing university in the US.”
NJ Town Hall for Teens on Coping With Changes Relating to COVID
Info & Resources to Help Special Needs Students & Parents Cope With The Way COVID Changes Things in Our Lives
From The Boggs Center:
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“Information and Resources Related to COVID-19
Across the world, we are experiencing an unprecedented set of challenges as we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing and other protective measures. Having reliable, up to date information and resources to help us better understand COVID-19, necessary health and hygiene precautions, and strategies to maintain emotional well-being is important to us all.
The Boggs Center, as New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and New Jersey’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, has compiled a selection of resources from New Jersey and across the country that may be useful to the disability community across the state. “View links to COVID-19 resources
Special thanks to Ms. Kelly Reer, M.A. SLE Coordinator, at BHS for the information.
NJ Dept of Health & Human Services Guides on Public Benefits
The NJ Department of Human Services has created a quick guide to help residents make informed decisions for their families as it relates to public charge and public benefits. It is important that families understand that they have access to some resources regardless of their immigration status, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
El NJ Departamento de Servicios Humanos ha creado una guía rápida para ayudar a los residentes a tomar decisiones informadas para sus familias en relación con la carga pública y los beneficios públicos. Es importante que las familias entiendan que tienen acceso a algunos recursos independientemente de su estado migratorio, especialmente durante la crisis de COVID-19.
Upcoming Webinars for Our Members
TRANSITION
“The following is from The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities:
Here is another webinar that transition educators and families may be interested in. It will be relevant to anyone graduating this year or next, or anyone already in the adult service system.
The Family and Support Coordination Partnership: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered, and Supporting the Life Your Family Member Wants
May 18, 2020 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
As the service delivery system changes, all people with developmental disabilities receiving services through DDD will be able to choose a support coordination agency along with the services they receive. This training will provide families with the information they need about support coordination. Participants will also learn how to help their family members select a support coordination agency that will best meet their needs, work in partnership with the support coordinator throughout the person centered planning process, and identify service providers to help their family member achieve the life he or she wants.
Click on the link below for more information and to register.
https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/training/dd_families.html
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The Family Resource Network is coming to you! To show you we are still here for you, we have created FRN Connect, a free
3-month webinar series that will provide interactive opportunities to stay healthy and connected while practicing social distancing. Connect with us today!
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GET FIT – May 4, 2020, Mon- & Thur. @ 4-4:30 PM
Each class will feature a certified trainer and a model participant to demonstrate each exercise. We will focus on improving muscle building, full body flexibility, balance, motor skills and mobility through these fun exercises. Register HERE
YOGA – May 5th 2020, Tues.@1-1:45PM
This 45-minute yoga class offers a combination of breathing exercises, chanting, yoga postures, relaxation techniques (yoga Nidra) and other self-regulation tools that bring participants a sense of peace and well-being. Useful but not necessary props to have: yoga mat, access to wall space to lean against for standing balance poses. We encourage participation from parents, family members and caregivers. Take it together! Register HERE
Martial Arts- Fighting & Fitness – Mon. May 5th 2020, Tuesdays @12-1:00PM
Build fitness and character with the time-honored methods of martial arts training in the comfort of your own home. Sensei Damien Wright, a 7th Degree Japanese Jujitsu Black Belt and long time professional instructor, will conduct each class with beginner-friendly workouts and lessons designed to build important skills, cultivate a healthy and positive mindset, and provide each student with the opportunity to meet the best version of themselves. All workouts and lessons are highly adaptable to suit all body types, restrictions, and situations. All participants will have access to this class specifically for them as well as the full schedule of Virtual classes provided by Sensei Damien’s academy, Wright Fight Concepts. Excellence awaits. Let’s find it together. Register- HERE
The Loss, Grief and Coronavirus Toolbox -Wednesday, May 13th 2020 4:00pm -5:00pm
This work shop will enable you to: identify the losses impacting you and your family; define loss, grief, mourning, coping, self-care and resilience; identify what gets in the way of self-care; discover new coping skills and become more resilient. REGISTER _ HERE
Weathering the COVID Storm: Strategies for Engaging in Virtual Classrooms and Telehealth Sessions -Friday, May 15th 2020 1:00pm -2:00pm REGISTER _ HERE
Special thanks to Kelly Reer, MA, LDT-C
Structured Learning Experience (SLE) Coordinator
Bloomfield High School for this information.
Bloomfield SEPAC Meeting- is Wed. Nov. 13, 2019, from 6-8 P.M. at BHS. TOPIC- SOCIAL AWARENESS FOR STUDENTS
Our next Meeting (Nov. 13, at BHS, from 6-8 P.M.) is not aimed at only Special Ed Students. Any student or parent may benefit from this very helpful and informative Forum. So please spread the word among your friends and school families. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions of our Presenters following their talks.
Our topics will be overview of Suite 360 and the Wingman initiative.
Assistant Superintendent of Bloomfield Schools, Joseph Fleres, will give a presentation about Suite 360.
“Suite360 provides students with information and techniques to support self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills, and responsible decision-making. In addition, the program addresses specific topics such as cyberbullying, academic success, substance abuse and many other challenges students and communities face. Finally, the program provides behavior intervention support for students who experience common conduct issues.”
Bloomfield Schools Supervisor of Guidance, K-8, Michael Bruno, will give a presentation about The Wingman Program.
The Wingman Initiative- “Wingman is a unique youth leadership program from Dylan’s Wings of Change that develops social and emotional skills through team bonding and trust building activities. Wingman inspires children to be more empathetic, courageous and inclusive young leaders. The Wingman program is being used in schools, dance studios, running clubs, summer camps and after school programs to promote accepting and inclusive environments around the world.
We look forward to seeing you on what is bound to be a most informative evening.
– Your Bloomfield SEPAC Team Members
Help With Anxiety for BHS Students, This Summer.
Come See the movie “WONDER,” April 9th!
The very nice Folks over at Glen Ridge’s G.R.A.S.E. (Glen Ridge Association for Special Education) have kindly invited ALL of our Bloomfield SEPAC Members to come and see a showing of the film, “Wonder,” a family style starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. It is Monday evening, April 9, at 7 P.M. in the Ridgewood Avenue School. Kids are very welcome too! 
