Get Paid for Working Directly with Your Adult Child

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) is hiring parents (and guardians) as direct support personnel for their adult son or daughter who received services under DDD’s Community Care or Community Support programs. Counties covered: Middlesex, Union, and Somerset counties.

Receive $16 an hour
Work up to 40 hours a week
Receive paid training

All parental hires are subjected to the employment requirements for direct support personnel established by the NJ State Department of Human Services (including fingerprint, drug tests, College of Direct Support training, and criminal background check).

For more details and a parent hire information packet, contact your support coordinator or Luke Koppisch, ACI Deputy Director, at 732-738-4388 or lkoppisch@adacil.org.

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Posted on September 8, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Governor Murphy to Fund NJ’s “B” Centers for Independent Living!

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the 11 Centers for Independent Living have been essential in providing support to New Jerseyans with disabilities and their families. From wellness checks to assistance with food and medication delivery to conducting support groups online, NJ's CILs have been meeting the challenges brought on by the pandemic. While our services have become more expansive and more important than ever to our consumers, CILs are struggling to provide the additional services under financial hardship.

Under the Federal CARES Act, New Jersey has received $1.95 million dollars for independent living services under the Rehabilitation Act.

In NJ there are B and C Centers for Independent Living, unfortunately, no federal funding was included specifically for "B" Centers throughout the country, in Title VIII of The CARES Act.

In NJ the centers affected were the Alliance Center for Independence, Atlantic Center for Independent Living, DAWN, Inc., Center for Independent Living of South Jersey and MOCEANS. As a result, thousands of NJ residents with disabilities are unable to get the needed services supported by the CARES funding. The Governor and the state legislature must consider additional funding for NJ's Centers for Independent Living " B" Centers in their proposals.

ACI Wine Fundraiser

ACI is happy to partner with ONE HOPE for a summertime wine fundraiser! Just visit their website through this link and 10% of any purchase you make will be donated directly to ACI. You have until Wednesday, September 9th so order soon!

If you are on Facebook, we encourage you to join our Wine Fundraiser group and share it on your page.

We would like to thank Melissa Genovese from ONE HOPE for organizing this fundraiser and believing in our cause!

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Donate.

Governor Murphy Signs into Law Expanding Access Link Services During an Emergency

On Tuesday, August 12th, NJ Governor signed into law Senate bill S-362, which would require NJ Transit’s Access Link services to operate during a state of emergency if it is determined it can be done safely.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (Burlington County), and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully (Bergen County), Roy Freiman of Somerset County) and Senator Joseph Cryan (Union County).

Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, ACI has advocated to get NJ Transit to provide services during an emergency.

ACI would like to thank the Governor and the sponsors of the bill for recognizing and addressing the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency.

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Emergency Preparedness, Advocacy.

ACI Helps Over 150 Individuals and Families Through the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund

Recently, the Alliance Center for Independence completed a grant from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, which was organized to assist people impacted by statewide disasters and emergencies. In June, ACI was awarded funding to provide food assistance to low income individuals with disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We wanted to use this funding to help meet the needs of people facing food insecurity during these challenging times," says, Carole Tonks, ACI's Executive Director. Specifically, the funding was used to purchase grocery store gift cards for 101 individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition, ACI staff purchased and delivered food to individuals and families within a 30 mile radius of our office. "There was a tremendous need for the services that we were offering through this grant", observed Argenys Caba, ACI Food Pantry Manager. "Over 400 people applied for the gift cards alone." To help meet the needs of people who we could not help through the grant, ACI offered the services of our food pantry and gave out resources for pantries throughout the state.

ACI is grateful for the funding we received from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund and is honored to be given the opportunity to directly assist our community.

ACI's food pantry remains open for curbside pickup, if you are in need, please contact Argenys at 732-738-4388 for an appointment.

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella.

NJ State Reopening Survey - Summer 2020

The Alliance Center for Independence wants to hear from you!

As the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in NJ, the state has entered “Phase 2” of reopening. This means that restaurants, public facilities, and retail stores are now open (with limitations) to customers. Establishments have reconfigured their spaces (including outdoor seating for restaurants) in order to comply with social distancing and other guidelines.

In our continuing advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is asking our constituents to provide feedback on accessibility of the establishments you are now patronizing. Please fill out the survey below and help make NJ more accessible during the reopening process!

If you have any questions, please contact Luke Koppisch at lkoppisch@adacil.org

Thank you!

DOWNLOAD SURVEY (WORD DOC)

DOWNLOAD SURVEY (PDF)

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Running for Public Office When You Have a Disability: Practical Advice

There’s nothing easy about running for public office. Among many other things, it requires significant personal sacrifice, the know-how and skills to connect with voters, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Not only does it take a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but it can for those closest to you as well.

And when you have a disability, chances are you will face additional challenges during your campaign. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop you from following your dream, and you can actually use your knack for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals to your advantage.

So, if you’ve decided to make a run for the school board, city council, congress, or any other public office, here are a few pieces of advice to consider: