Check Out the June 12th Edition of The BUZZ Adult Recreational Services Newsletter

Virtual 5K, Walk, Hike and Dog Walk Hopes to Engage the Local Somerset County Community During the Month of June

With this week’s news of Governor Murphy’s extension of the “stay at home” order until June 5th, we realize now more than ever that we are in for the long haul of this pandemic.   We continue to keep our protocols in place (hand washing, surface cleaning, social distance, use of PPE, visitations of only medical necessity) and our thoughts remain positive.

An Update on The Arc of Somerset County Regarding COVID-19 and Programs

Community of Volunteers Come Together Donating Much Needed Masks to Arc Staff During COVID-19 Crisis

An Announcement from Somerset County Public Health
The Somerset County Department of Health strongly urges residents to limit their risk of exposure by staying home and avoiding close contact with people outside of their household.

UPDATE: 3.23.2020: As The Arc of Somerset County family continues its response to COVID-19 we will increasingly update this site with the latest information known to us.

The Arc of Somerset County continues to stay informed regarding the response to the evolving Coronavirus situation. We continue to use our Response Plan and guidance from the CDC and the NJ & Somerset County Departments of Health to inform our daily action.

The following information was sent out by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) on March 16, 2020 and appears unedited below. We are only forwarding it as a service to individuals and families who may not be on the Division's subscription list.

DDD GUIDANCE: DAY PROGRAM CLOSURES & DISCONTINUED COMMUNITY OUTINGS RELATED TO COVID-19

As news of coronavirus in New Jersey has been reported, we’d like to share The Arc of Somerset County’s response to protect those we serve and our employees.

The Arc of Somerset County's Jerry Davis Center for Children & Families increased subsidies for our preschool/daycare program at The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families have drastically risen since 2018 with a number of children living in households that are at or below the poverty line. For families who have a child with a disability or learning delay, the financial constraints are even more overwhelming.

Our goal is to remove the financial barriers to quality child care while providing important comprehensive services to children with disabilities. The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families is the only Developmental Daycare in Somerset County and surrounding counties serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside their typically developing peers. Our active-learning curriculum helps children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in an environment that is professional, positive and nurturing.

To support The Arc of Somerset County’s Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families, please help us address this current need in our fiscal gap by contributing toward our end-of-year annual appeal to help us raise $30,000 to fully support up to 15 children in our programs for the remainder of the year.

Your donation toward the Student Tuition Assistance Program for families living below the poverty level in and around the Somerset County area will make a difference in a child’s opportunity to receive the early education that is needed during critical developmental stages. We thank you for your consideration toward this much needed end of year appeal for The Arc of Somerset County.

The Rutgers School of Public Health Community Living Education Project’s (CLEP) mission is to educate families and agency staff about the possibilities in community living, through training sessions for person-centered thinking, collaborative meetings and learning events, networking, curricula, and publications, while maintaining a standard of integrity and ethics.
This summer, they premiered a video that featured one of our Arc of Somerset adults in a short documentary called :A Day in the Life of Burton..."
Burton will be highlighted at the upcoming Arc Angel Gala with his well deserved HALO Award! Check out the video that was featured this summer.

Camp Jotoni Groundbreaking Featured in Central NJ Courier News

Please click on the title above to view The Arc of Somerset County's new 2018-2019 Annual Report.

The above referenced programs are closed on Monday, May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day.

Open House at The Arc of Somerset County!
Learn about the programs ans services provided including:

Supported Employment Camp Jotoni
Community Based Services Career Planning
Behavioral Supports OT, PT & Speech Therapy
College Program at RVCC Ind. Supports Day Habitation

Community Outings, Literacy & Computer Classes, Exercise, Music and Art & so much more!

When: May 9th
Where: Branchburg Adult Training Center
161 Industrial Parkway
Branchburg, NJ 08876
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Please RSVP to Karen at 908-725-8544 x 612 or Karenk@thearcofsomerset.org

Join us for a FREE informative seminar presented by Matt Adams, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army and Judge Advocate General's Corps who has experience helping soldiers, and special needs families with estate planning, including wills, trusts and powers of attorney.

share and a link to purchase tickets as well as the exclusive event T-Shirt. Wear your shirt proudly in April to show your support for Autism Awareness month!

PLEASE SHARE!
Event Information and Tickets: http://customeducationfoundation.org/sixflags/
Direct Ticket Link: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/store/tickets…
Group Order Form: https://static.sixflags.com/…/sfgad_autism-day-order-form.p…
Curriculum For Schools: http://customeducationfoundation.org/…/Curriculum-Sheet-ADS…
Event Flier: http://customeducationfoundation.org/…/GeneralFlier-ADSF-20…
Purchase T-Shirts: https://www.gershacademy.org/store/adsf

Please direct any questions towards: events@customedfoundation.org

The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families will open at 10am.

(Added) No County transportation for dayhab centers.

The Arc of Somerset County was selected as a local grant recipient from The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC); administrator of The State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant. Click on the title above for more information.

Come for an on the spot interview at our Main Office located at 141 So. Main St., Manville, NJ 08835. The Arc of Somerset County provides advocacy and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

New Partnership with The Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Community Health Services brings grant funds to The Arc of Somerset County's Children Services and PACT program.
(Click on the title for the full article)

The Arc of Somerset County’s Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families (JDCCF) located in Manville will celebrate “National Schools Choice Week” (NSCW) January 22nd – 25th. NSCW was founded in 2011 to promote the concept of all forms of school choice. The mission of the Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families(JDCCF) is to ensure every individual's optimal growth and development. JDCCF's comprehensive, interdisciplinary programs are designed to meet the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children who have a diverse range of abilities. To read more, please click on the title above.

A General Meeting of the Advocates For Change Self-Advocacy Group will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Camplain Road ATC from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Meeting open to any individual that is interested in advocating for him or herself and others. Camplain Road ATC is located at 2320 Camplain Road, Hillsborough.

The above referenced programs are closed on Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The above referenced programs are closed Monday, December 31, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1, 2019 in observance the New Years Holidays.

The above referenced programs are closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.

A BIG thank you to Mitzen Photography for donating their time and talent to take photos an videos at The Arc's Annual Halloween Mash Up for the last few years. The Guests love the take-home photos! Please click on the title above to view their video from this year's event.

On Friday, November 9, performers from The Arc of Somerset County and Becca’s Friends, a ministry of St. Joseph's church in Hillsborough for the adult special needs community, treated the crowd to entertaining performances that included singing, a drum solo, an original guitar song and so much more! Thank you to all the performers, the crowd, and St. Joseph's Church for helping make a night to remember. Please click on the title above to view a video from the evening.

Main Office, Foundation Office, Employment Services and Daycare/Preschool, will open at 10:00 am on Friday, November 16.

The above referenced programs are closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Arc of Somerset County Adult Services Program hosted "The Arc's Got Talent" a performance talent show on November 9th, 2018. The event was a partnership between The Arc, Immaculata High School students, and "Becca's Friends" – a ministry group based out of St. Joseph's Parish of Hillsborough. Talented adults served by The Arc of Somerset County as well as a variety of Arc staff came to perform a variety of songs, dances and musical compositions. Please click on the title above to read the entire article.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2018 Arc Angel Ruby Reception on Friday November 2, at the Bridgewater Marriott! Please click on the title above to view photos from the evening on The Arc of Somerset County's Facebook page. More photos from the event will be posted on our Facebook page early next week.

This Friday Night bi-monthly Social Skills Awareness program on the campus of Raritan Valley Community College is designed through practice to develop and enhance social skills: discuss better was to communicate our ideas and thoughts; and recognize the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication in our relationships. To get more information about the class or request an application and set up an interview for the program, please contact Bob Hulit at 732-666-4781 or email us at bobh@thearcofsomerset.org. Please click on the title above for more information about The Achievement Center at RVCC.

Come for an on the spot interview at our Main Office located at 141 So. Main St., Manville, NJ 08835. The Arc of Somerset County provides advocacy and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. We are recruiting for the following positions: Program Manager $30k, Assistant Managers $11.44/hr, Support Counselors 8am-4pm, 3pm-11pm, & Overnight Staff 11pm-9am $10.00/hr. Lifting required, High School Diploma & a valid New Jersey Driver’s License a must. Apply in person-no appointment necessary. M/F/H/V/EOE/AA

Please click on the title above to read the latest edition of The Arc's E-Newsletter. The newsletter includes articles about the "Clubs for Cabins" 1st Annual Golf Event for Camp Jotoni, the 2018 Arc Angel Ruby Reception Honorees, and Commissioner Carole Johnson's Visit to The Arc of Somerset County.

People with disabilities, their caregivers, family members, friends and the general public are invited to attend the free 2018 Somerset County DisABILITY Services Fair on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater, located at 876 E. Main St. in Bridgewater, next to the ballpark. The theme of the event summarizes its purpose: “Opening doors and dialogue to welcome all countywide.” The event focuses on disability-related information, but will be of value to anyone interested in learning about county, state and local agencies, organizations and businesses that serve the citizens of Somerset County.
There will be a particular focus this year on hands-on demonstrations of affordable assistive devices that enable independence at any age in accomplishing everyday tasks. Assistive technology, occupational therapy and physical therapy program representatives from the New Jersey Division of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Disability Rights New Jersey, Matheny Medical and Educational Center and Advancing Opportunities Technology Center will be participating in the event. There also will be a special slide presentation of some of the assistive technology items featured in the recent Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design ACCESS-ABILITY exhibition in New York City.
Free transportation will be available through the Somerset County Transportation Division’s para-transit service to residents who register by Sept. 28. To reserve a seat, call the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services at (908) 704-6346 or email Paulann Pierson at ppierson@co.somerset.nj.us

Join us on Thursday, September 20, 2018 to receive an overview of the ABLE Act, an innovative savings program for individuals with disabilities, as well as to learn about the benefits and limitations of the act. This event is free and open to the public and will take place from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Somerville Elks Lodge # 1068, located at 375 Union Avenue in Bridgewater. Q & A time for attendees is included in this 90 Minute session. Adam P. Wilson from Hinkle, Fingles, Prior & Fischer will be the presenter for the event. Adam holds two undergraduate degrees from Pennsylvania State University, graduating with High Honors, and graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers School of Law-Camden. Adam frequently lectures on a variety disability-related legal topics. An RSVP is requested and seating is limited. Please contact Jamon Watson at jamonw@thearcofsomerset.org or 908-725-8544, x607 to reserve your seat today.

People with disabilities, their caregivers, family members, friends and the general public are invited to attend the free 2018 Somerset County DisABILITY Services Fair on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater, located at 876 E. Main St. in Bridgewater, next to the ballpark. The theme of the event summarizes its purpose: “Opening doors and dialogue to welcome all countywide.” The event focuses on disability-related information, but will be of value to anyone interested in learning about county, state and local agencies, organizations and businesses that serve the citizens of Somerset County.
There will be a particular focus this year on hands-on demonstrations of affordable assistive devices that enable independence at any age in accomplishing everyday tasks. Assistive technology, occupational therapy and physical therapy program representatives from the New Jersey Division of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Disability Rights New Jersey, Matheny Medical and Educational Center and Advancing Opportunities Technology Center will be participating in the event. There also will be a special slide presentation of some of the assistive technology items featured in the recent Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design ACCESS-ABILITY exhibition in New York City.
Free transportation will be available through the Somerset County Transportation Division’s para-transit service to residents who register by Sept. 28. To reserve a seat, call the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services at (908) 704-6346 or email Paulann Pierson at ppierson@co.somerset.nj.us

Join The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute for a tour of The Achievement Center (TAC) at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) on Friday, October 12, 2018, at 10:00 am. TAC is a partnership program of The Arc of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties and RVCC. You will have an opportunity to visit the campus and learn about the different aspects of a college experience. The Achievement Center is student centered, with a recommendation of core skills classes important to future success. Students and families will learn about the curriculum, support methods and individualization for each student’s needs and goals. Please click on the title above to learn more information and to register for the tour.