DRNJ Latest News

SAMHSA and the Ad Council Launch National Campaign To Raise Awareness About Mental Health Problems in Multicultural Communities

SAMHSA, in collaboration with the Ad Council, announced the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign to promote recovery from mental health problems within multicultural communities by educating and inspiring young adults to talk openly about issues of mental health. The culturally targeted PSAs seek to motivate societal change toward social acceptance and decrease negative attitudes that may surround mental illness. These PSAs are part of a larger multicultural public service effort designed to reach Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Chinese American, and African American communities during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

To access a specific PSA, please click: Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Chinese American, African American

Social Security Online

If you need information, or want to apply for benefits, visit the most conveniently located office Social Security has: the online office at www.socialsecurity.gov. There individuals can apply online for retirement, spouses, and disability benefits.

A Disability Starter Kit makes it easy to prepare for a disability application. The kit explains the documentation and information required to share on the application, and includes checklists and worksheets to help take the mystery out of applying. The Disability Starter Kit is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability on the left-hand side of the page.

There are other things available online, such as applying for a replacement Medicare card, and requesting an SSA-1099 for tax purposes. You can learn about these and other online services at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.

Transition to Adult Health Care Guide Now Available

The Boggs Center has a new transition to adult health care guide. Being a Healthy Adult: How to Advocate for Your Health and Health Care was written to help young adults with disabilities learn how to become effective self-advocates for their own health and health care. This guide will also be very helpful for adults with disabilities of all ages who want to take a more active role in advocating for their health care. The guide includes activities, worksheets, and tips for communicating with health care providers, keeping track of personal health information, and figuring out what supports will assist each individual with making the health-related choices that are right for him or her.

For more information, email Kathy Roberson at kathy.roberson@umdnj.edu or call 732-235-9317.

DDD Proposed Increase to Contribution to Care

One of the changes proposed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) as part of the FY 2011 budget is an increase in the contribution to care paid by, or on behalf of, persons receiving residential services from DDD. Currently, these individuals are required to contribute 75% of their unearned income to the cost of their care and maintenance while being allowed to keep $40 as a personal needs allowance (PNA). The change would require a contribution of 100% of unearned income with an increase in the personal needs allowance to $100. The Arc of New Jersey and the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) have issued a joint position statement on the proposed change.

Click here to view the joint position statement.

Public Testimony on Developmental Centers and Community-Based Services for People With Disabilities

On May 7, 2010, Joseph Young, Executive Director for DRNJ provided public testimony before the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee regarding developmental centers and community-based services for people with disabilities. Click here to view the testimony.

DRNJ Posts Court Order

Disability Rights New Jersey continues to litigate the case of Disability Rights New Jersey v. New Jersey Department of Education which seeks to ensure that students with disabilities in New Jersey are educated in the "least restrictive environment." Pursuant to a Court Order in the case, DRNJ is posting a "Notice of Disclosure of Student Records" in English and Spanish to allow DRNJ and its co-plaintiffs -- Education Law Center, The ARC of New Jersey and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network -- to obtain relevant documents.

To access the notices and disclosure forms, please click here for English or click here for Spanish.

Report of the New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools

The New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate issued a report of the New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools - "There Isn't A Moment To Lose: An Urgent Call for Reform and Effective Practices to Combat Bullying in New Jersey Schools".

To access the report, please click here.

Decade of Little Progress Implementing Olmstead Report

The National Disability Rights Network, DRNJ's national organization, issued a report "A Decade of “Little Progress” Implementing Olmstead: Evaluating Federal Agency Impact After 10 Years".

To access the report, please click here.

Social Security Administration to Pay SSI and Social Security recipients and applicants $500 Million under Settlement

U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilkens on August 11 tentatively approved a settlement that ends SSA’s policy of denying or suspending benefits based on an arrest warrant alone. As of April 1, 2009, no one applying for benefits will be denied benefits because of a felony warrant unless the applicant is in fact “fleeing.” SSA will pay $500 million in back benefits withheld from 80,000 people since January 1, 2007. Those whose benefits were denied or suspended between 2000 and 2006 and who are not receiving benefits will be notified so that they can re-establish eligibility. For more information about the settlement and the changes in Social Security’s policies, go here: http://www.nsclc.org and here: http://www.nsclc.org/areas/social-security-ssi/Martinez-Settlement. Read the Notice to Class Members about the settlement and about the Fairness Hearing on September 24 before Judge Wilkins. http://www.nsclc.org/areas/social-security-ssi/Martinez-Settlement/Court-Documents/class-notice/at_download/attachment.

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

The National Disability Rights Network, DRNJ's national organization, issued a report about the use of restraints and seclusion in schools. DRNJ staff shared information from NJ in the preparation of the report.

If you are interested in more information about the NDRN report, please visit the NDRN website at www.ndrn.org

For more coverage on this subject, here is a link to an article on the cover of USA Today - "GAO: Schools restrain, confine disabled children"

NJ Family Care Advertising Campaign

The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched an NJ FamilyCare advertising campaign to inform families to enroll eligible children in our comprehensive Children’s Health Insurance Program. Visit the NJ Family care website at www.njfamilycare.org to access the campaign. The radio ads in both English and Spanish are available for upload or download to your organization’s website, Facebook page or Twitter account.

NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created to help New Jersey's uninsured children have affordable health coverage. It is not a welfare program. NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance.

Did You Serve in the U.S. Military?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that certain illnesses have been associated with military service. Please check the lists of illnesses and health concerns that have been identified with service during the wars listed. If you served during one or more of these periods of war and have any of the highlighted diseases, you may be eligible for compensation, benefits and health care. Please visit the following website for more information: www.veteranshealth.org

DRNJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides services to all persons with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry or disability.
Any concerns regarding the agency’s compliance with these non-discrimination efforts may be brought to the attention of the Executive Director.

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities