Navigating through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can seem overwhelming, but The Arc of New Jersey is here to help. The Arc has partnered with Hinkle, Prior & Fischer to offer free IEP reviews for families who have questions or concerns about their child's IEP. The session will take place at The Arc of Essex County’s main office (123 Naylon Ave, Livingston) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28. The session will begin with an overview of parents' rights from 6 to 6:30 p.m. before each family receives an individual 20-minute review with an attorney. Space is limited and [...]
Read MoreDuring the month of January, participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation and Community Inclusion program enjoyed a retreat at Studio Arc, a trip to the movies, and weekly bowling excursions. For the Self Care Retreat at Studio Arc on January 8, participants focused on “A Healthy Me in 2023,” learning about good nutrition, the benefits of exercise and a good night’s sleep, and discovering ways to protect themselves and others from illness. The day started with a taco bar in which the participants made their own turkey tacos with lots of healthy toppings. Everyone was encouraged to experiment [...]
Read MoreThe National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) is undertaking an initiative to expand the available information on dementia for families, agencies, and others and is reaching out to family and other caregivers to help better understand where they get their information and what information might be of most use to them. The NTG developed a brief 15-item survey with questions tapping some key areas related to information and its access. Completing the survey shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes, and it does not ask for any identifiers. The information will be used only in aggregate form to [...]
Read MoreFor individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following February 2023 openings: NEW Belleville Group Home (1 Male or Female vacancy) Two-family supervised apartment on quiet dead-end street 24/7 supervision Located near Branch Brook Park and other outdoor spaces Residents enjoy activities together, including trips to area destinations as well as picnics on their spacious deck NEW Washington Avenue Residence (1 Male vacancy) Single-family style group home in a quiet Montclair neighborhood 24/7 supervision Within walking distance of parks and shopping Residents enjoy going on local trips together Orange Community Residence (1 Male or Female Vacancy) 24/7 supervision Single-family style group home located in a turn-of-the-century mansion [...]
Read MoreTributes are a beautiful way to acknowledge those you care for, and at the same time, help further The Arc’s mission. To purchase a tribute, please call Ann Burleigh at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1245 or visit our tribute page here. Special Occasions (October to December 2022): In Honor of JoAnn RainesCara L. Schnaper In Honor of Sean Patraic McGlynnElizabeth O’Sullivan In Honor of Sergeant CollinsMichael Brown In Honor of Kristin BezansonTom Frantz In Honor of Paul RooneyEllen Rooney In Memory of Barbara CalderoneSusan and Stephen Hagedorn In Memory of Gregory J. De LorenziSchwab Charitable In Memory of Jack StrausAnn G. Murphy In Memory of Lorraine LowyPatti and Bob Calabrese, and [...]
Read MoreThe Arc has a variety of resources for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Here, we provide a monthly roundup of the virtual options available to The Arc community throughout the month: § The Arc of Essex County Mystery Movies (Mondays: February 6, 13, and 27 at 3 p.m.)The Arc of Essex County Game Day (Tuesdays: February 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 3 p.m.)The Arc of Essex County Book Buddies (Wednesdays: February 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 3 p.m.) § The Arc of NJ Self-Advocacy Project: Stay Healthy at Home: 2/7/23: Getting and Giving Consent: For People with [...]
Read MoreFor individuals seeking a community living placement, The Arc of Essex County has the following January 2023 openings: Orange Community Residence (1 Male or Female Vacancy) 24/7 supervision Single-family style group home located in a turn-of-the-century mansion with spacious living areas Co-ed living arrangement with active group of residents Near shopping, dining, and activities Care based on individual needs Maplewood Supervised Apartment Program (2 Male Vacancies) 24/7 Staff Supervision Condo-style living in a unit with elevator Off-street parking Located near public transportation and within walking distance of Maplewood's downtown shopping & restaurants South Orange Supportive Living Apartment (1 Female Vacancy) 1 bedroom available in a 2-bedroom apartment Minimal community living support needs Access to an [...]
Read MoreSingers from the United Presbyterian Church of Lyndhurst visited The Arc of Essex County’s SYA Day Program in December, where program participants led their peers in a cheerful singalong session of holiday carols. From Jingle Bells to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to Silent Night, three singers and a melodica player from United Presbyterian led a series of favorite holiday tunes, which the day program attendees thoroughly enjoyed. Many day program participants led their peers in singing at the front of the room, while others sang and toe-tapped along from their seats. In addition to their singing voices, many added to [...]
Read MoreA group of talented Studio Arc artisans spent the autumn months creating Winter Wellness Kits, using their craftmaking and Cricut skills to assemble beautiful boxes packed with homemade self-care items. Six women from the Opportunity Zone day program in Maplewood made weekly visits to Studio Arc to craft handmade soaps, lip balms, linen/room sprays, bath salts, and sugar scrubs infused with essential oils. The decorated boxes also included cards of encouraging affirmations as stated by the artisans themselves. When the kits were completed, the group visited The Arc of Essex County’s main office to sell them for $25 each, proceeds will be [...]
Read MoreWith activities and celebrations for Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's, the students at Stepping Stones School had a busy December packed with festive fun. On December 9, students from The Deron School of New Jersey visited Stepping Stones for their annual gathering. In addition to playing fun games and activities, the Deron and Stepping Stones students completed a craft together -- a cute wooden snowmen for each of the children to take home. On December 15, the annual Stepping Stones Holiday Party welcomed families and a visit from Santa Claus. The children got to meet with Santa, sing holiday [...]
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