March is National Disability Awareness Month! The Family Resource Network would like to encourage everyone to join in on this celebration of many accomplishments, contributions and talents offered by the developmental disability community. Spreading awareness and celebrating inclusion this month and beyond! Click here to view the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Facebook page. The page features some amazing artwork every day throughout the month of March. All of the talented artists are self-advocates for the NACDD. Click here to access Governor Murphy’s Proclamation in honor of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. #DDawarenes19 #DDawareness

The 2019 Autism Family Services of New Jersey Scholarship Application Program is open to New Jersey residents with a diagnosis of Autism.  This scholarship is unique since it allows graduates pursuing a college, university, technical, trade, or vocational school level education to apply. The AFSNJ Scholarship is not solely based on academic achievement. Meaningful community volunteerism, participation in extra-curricular activities and essay response will all be considered when choosing recipients for these scholarships. Candidates do not need to be near the top of their class to be considered. All who are eligible are encouraged to apply. We encourage you to distribute this application to qualified high school seniors who may benefit. Should you have any questions, you may contact us at 1-800-336-5843 for further assistance. Deadline extension! All documents must be received by Friday, May 10, 2019 in order for your application to be reviewed. Please use separate sheets to complete the written part of this application. When you have completed the application, send the application and the supporting documents to [email protected].

Epilepsy Services of New Jersey is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our annual scholarship program for New Jersey high school seniors who have epilepsy. We anticipate offering at least two $1,000 scholarships this year. New Jersey high school seniors with epilepsy who plan to attend a college or university are eligible. Academic achievement, participation in activities and financial need will be considered. The extent of a student’s disability(s) will be taken into account as well, so that s/he need not be near the top of her/his class to qualify. Final awards will be made by the Epilepsy Services of New Jersey, which reserves the right not to make any awards. Documents needed for application: Copy of school transcript Letter verifying admission to college, university; if unavailable, please include the addresses and telephone numbers of the college admissions office to which you have applied Statement of diagnosis from a physician, indicating the type and severity of your seizures (and other disabilities, if applicable) Two letters of recommendations from any of the following: teacher, coach, guidance counselor, principal, employer, clergy Copy of the 2018 parents’ Federal Income Tax Return; if unavailable, please include a copy of parents’ 2017 Federal Income Tax Return Deadline Extension! All documents must be received by the Epilepsy Services of New Jersey by Friday, May 10, 2019 in order for your application to be reviewed. Please use separate sheets to complete the written part of this application. When you have completed the application, scan the application and the supporting documents to: Andrea Racioppi at [email protected]

Acting Governor Sheila Oliver today signed legislation (S959) to establish the New Jersey Caregiver Task Force, which will evaluate support services that are available to caregivers. The Task Force will also recommend improvements and expansion of such services and is required to provide an initial report within a year of its organization. “Caregivers throughout our state work long hours for often little to no compensation, supporting the elderly and those with disabilities, including mental illnesses,” Acting Governor Sheila Oliver said. “I am proud to sign a bill creating the New Jersey Caregiver Taskforce, which will explore ways to improve conditions and support these selfless individuals and the people they care for.” “Caregivers are vital to the quality of life for many New Jerseyans, especially individuals with disabilities and older adults, but caregiving is also difficult work that can take its toll,” said Commissioner Carole Johnson, member of the New Jersey Caregiver Task Force. “Caregivers devote their lives to their loved ones, often missing work and missing out on wages, and this is going to become more of a concern in the coming years with an aging population. The Murphy Administration is committed to supporting caregivers and improving programs that can help. I look forward to working with the task force and supporting caregivers throughout our state.” The Task Force will consist of 11 members from public and private sectors. Three public members will be appointed by the Governor, including one person who is a caregiver for a person with a disability, one person who is a caregiver for a person with mental illness, and one person who is a caregiver for an elderly person. Prime sponsors of the bill include Senators Joseph Vitale and Linda Greenstein; Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Gabriela Mosquera, and Valerie Vainieri Huttle. “This legislation will allow us to study and design the kind of relief and support needed by uncompensated relatives, friends or community members who take care of the elderly, disabled or mentally ill,” said Senator Vitale. “We need to formulate the right kind of support for caregivers now so that when the number of adults needing assistance with daily activities doubles by 2020, we will be prepared to help.” “Caregiving can take serious emotional and physical tolls that often leads to consequences in the caregivers’ own lives, ranging from health issues to the loss of wages and health benefits,” said Senator Greenstein. “Getting a better understanding of the needs of caregivers will allow us to provide assistance to them in areas of their lives where they need it the most.” “Caregivers face an untold number of challenges in today’s society,” said Assemblywoman Lampitt. “Many family caregivers are fulfilling these duties out of a sense of love and devotion, which can often make them feel anxious and overwhelmed. We must make sure we are doing all we can to provide them with the resources and support they need to fill this critical role.” “Anyone who’s ever found themselves in a caregiver role understands the toll it can take,” said Assemblywoman Mosquera. “Lack of sleep, privacy and the time to fulfill one’s own needs can increase the risk for depression and anxiety. I hope this task force will take to heart the real-life experiences of caregivers so we can create a greater support network statewide.” “Studies show that the emotional and physical health of caregivers often suffers as a result of the stress and physical demands they encounter, particularly when it comes to caring for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle. “This task force will take an honest look at how we can better address these needs.”

An era is coming to a close and a new one will begin on January 1, 2019 at The Family Resource Network as Eric M. Joice, of Toms River, CEO since 1983 retires and Liza Gundell of Pennington, COO since 1990 becomes the chief executive officer. Gundell, a graduate of Towson University (MD), has directed a staff of 150 in program areas such as behavioral services, employment services, family support programs and access to healthcare. Gundell is the recipient of numerous awards including the Sara Stubblefield Advocacy Award and the Staff Person of the Year Award. Before coming to The Family Resource Network, Gundell served as Director of Support Services for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. During Joice’s time at The Family Resource Network, he guided growth from under $100,000 in annual revenue to nearly $10,000,000. He was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Volunteerism, the NJ Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the NJ Rehabilitation Council, the Governor’s Council on the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities and the NJ Epilepsy Task Force. He was the recipient of awards from the United Way, EP Magazine, NJBiz Magazine and the National Lifespan Respite Coalition.  

In 2014, Jake was diagnosed with Juvenile Myclonic Epilepsy after having a seizure during freshman football practice. He did not allow epilepsy to get in his way! He continued to go on to play football for his whole high school career. Jake became an ambassador to help spread the word about epilepsy awareness. He organized successful fundraisers at his school. In 2018, Jake was awarded with the Epilepsy Services of New Jersey Annual College Scholarship! Recently, in recognition of Epilepsy Awareness Month, Jake teamed up with Andrea Racioppi of Epilepsy Services of New Jersey, to educate his former high school about epilepsy. Jake, You Rock!! Meet all of our Epilepsy Rockstars (Jake, Bryana, Aiden and Stacey) at the 8th Annual Paint the Pony Purple!