Arc Of New Jersey Inc

THE ARC MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND OTHER DISABILITIES, AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITH SUPPORTS AND SERVICES WHICH ENCOURAGE PERSONAL GROWTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH EMPOWERMENT AND CHOICE.

RESIDENTIAL SERIVCES: THE ARC MIDDLESEX OPENED ITS FIRST HOME IN 1986. SINCE THAT TIME, OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN OFFERED THAT ALLOW FOR OVER 80 ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO BE SUPPORTED THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED HOUSING.THESE ADULTS POSSESS A DIVERSITY OF ABILITIES, AND TRAINED STAFF PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. WITH A PERSON CENTERED FOCUS, STAFF TEACHES SKILLS TO MAXIMIZE THE INDIVIDUAL'S INDEPENDENCE IN AREAS OF SELF HELP AND COMMUNITY LIVING. THROUGH COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND THE PROMOTION OF EACH PERSON'S DESIRED QUALITY OF LIFE, RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS. CONTINUING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED.THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING AND SUPPORT:GROUP HOMES TYPICALLY HAVE FOUR TO SIX INDIVIDUALS LIVING TOGETHER. EACH HOUSEHOLD IS FULLY STAFFED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS. SUPERVISION IS PROVIDED TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY.SUPERVISED APARTMENTS PROVIDE A MORE INDEPENDENT LIVING ENVIRONMENT. STAFF SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE ARE PROVIDED AS NEEDED FOR DAILY LIVING AS DEFINED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS AND FUTURE GOALS.THE SUPPORTIVE LIVING PROGRAM EMPHASIZES MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE. RESIDENTS LEARN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT, ORGANIZING A HOUSEHOLD, MANAGING FINANCES, AND USING COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL STAFF COMMUNICATES FREQUENTLY WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL AT THEIR HOME TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

VOCATIONAL SERVICES:THE VOCATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENCE THROUGH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY TEACHING ADULT LIVING SKILLS, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND VOLUNTEERISM. COMMUNITY INTEGRATION IS EMPHASIZED IN ALL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE EACH PERSON'S QUALITY OF LIFE. THE JOB SEEKERS ATTEND STRUCTURED PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE THEIR POTENTIAL FOR EMPLOYMENT.THE CAREER CENTERS EMPHASIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS FOR SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GROWTH. INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT THROUGH TASK TRAINING, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. JOB EXPLORATION IS OFFERED THROUGH THE CAREER CENTERS. THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OVER THE AGE OF 21.

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES:FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS PROVIDE SERVICES FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAS A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY LIVING AT HOME. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS A NETWORK OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDES RESPITE, ADVOCACY, OUTREACH AND RECREATION. STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVE ONGOING TRAINING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT WILL ASSIST FAMILIES IN EVALUATING APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR THEIR NEEDS.RESPITE SERVICES: FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS ARE HIRED TO PROVIDE A SHORT-TERM BREAK FOR FAMILY MEMBERS RECEIVING REGULAR RESPITE. THE STAFF PERSON PROVIDES COMPANIONSHIP AND WORKS TOWARD MUTUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WITHIN VARIOUS AREAS SUCH AS SOCIALIZATION, DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. THE CASH OPTION/VOUCHER PROGRAM OFFERS FAMILIES THE FLEXIBILITY TO HIRE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FAMILY MEMBERS, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS TO PROVIDE SUPPORTS IN THEIR HOMES. THE RESPITE WORKER IS EMPLOYED BY THE FAMILY AND IS NOT CONSIDERED AN EMPLOYEE OF THE ARC MIDDLESEX.MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY RESPITE: THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF OUR SATURDAY RESPITE PROGRAM GEARED FOR YOUNG ADULTS. THE PROGRAM WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUAL GROWTH THROUGH EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 6 P.M. AGE APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES ARE INTEGRATED INTO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMMING.SATURDAY RESPITE IS A SUPERVISED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THIS IS A STRUCTURED PROGRAM OF SOCIALIZATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WHICH EMPHASIZES INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND SOCIALIZATION. THE PROGRAM MEETS TWICE A MONTH.OUTREACH SERVICES AND RESOURCES: THE ARC MIDDLESEX REACHES OUT TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN NUMEROUS WAYS.SUPPORT MEETINGS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT MIDDLESEX COUNTY IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE ALL FAMILIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING EDUCATION AND INFORMATIVE MEETINGS. THERE ARE AN ARRAY OF TOPICS THAT ARE COVERED BY PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS SUCH AS: TRANSITIONING, GUARDIANSHIP AND ESTATE PLANNING, NUTRITION, PUBLIC INFORMATION SHARING, JUST TO NAME A FEW. FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND IDEAS. AS A RESULT, FRIENDSHIPS AND STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEMS OCCUR.WE OFFER RESPITE TRAINING TO FAMILIES AND RESPITE WORKERS FREE OF CHARGE WHO CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.THE ARC MIDDLESEX WELCOMES DIVERSE GROUPS. AN INTERPRETER IS AVAILABLE AT MEETINGS FOR SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES.