The Arc of New Jersey: FY15 Budget Signed by Governor Christie After a year of advocacy, The Arc of New Jerseys Governmental Affairs Department is proud to report that the final (Fiscal Year) FY15 Budget includes more than $100 million in new state and federal funding for supports and services to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This money will be used to help people exiting developmental centers, those in need of services from the Community Waiting List, students aging out of their educational entitlement program and people facing unpredictable emergencies. Included in the $100 million figure is the reinvestment of funding following the planned closures of North Jersey and Woodbridge Developmental Centers before the end of the calendar year. Also contained in the Budget is $24 million in new money in the Department of Children and Families Childrens System of Care which went toward additional services in FY14 and will carry over into FY15. Finally, a one-time increase for community providers, which was removed from the FY14 Budget, was reinstated in FY15 as a result of our persistent advocacy efforts. Our work, which takes place in halls of the State House and with legislators throughout New Jersey, is rooted in our dedicated family members, self-advocates, Local Chapters and direct support professionals who keep our budget message front and center both locally and state-wide. This year our budget efforts included: Hundreds of holiday cards to the Governor, Testimony at three budget hearings, Multiple letters from our organization, our president and the New Jersey Statewide Self Advocacy Network to DHS, DCF, the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Budget Chairmen and ranking members of the Budget Committees, Two public statements in response to budgetary plans, Meetings with the Senate President, the Assembly Speaker, all the members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, and the Majority Leaders, Action Alerts to the Budget Chairmen Budget resolutions in both Houses in support of our cause, and A Legislative Action Day at the State House with the help of direct support professionals and self-advocates.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:10:32 +0000
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