Come Join the ACI Crew! We Are Seeking a Specialist for Our Independent Living Program (UPDATE: Position has been filled)

Job Title: Independent Living Specialist
Job Type: Full-time, 9 AM to 5 PM
Time Frame: January 2022 to June 30, 2022 (with possibility of extension)
Pay: $23.80 per hour

General Job Description
This individual is responsible for teaching independent living skills to people of all ages and various disabilities, conducting outreach to our diverse population, and assisting with all other programs, as directed. Examples of Independent living skills are: money and budgeting skills, computer skills, using the public bus service, social skills and assertiveness training, advocacy skills, grocery shopping, doing laundry, dressing appropriately. Skills will be taught on a one to one or small group basis.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct independent living skills training in accordance with the philosophy of independent living

  • Assisting consumers with identifying goals, then developing and implementing Independent Living Plans (ILP) to meet the goals

  • Work with consumers one-on-one and in groups, both at ACI and in the community

  • Facilitate timely completion of Independent Living Plans or goals, providing services according to those goals

  • Document meetings, activities, progress, challenges and successes

  • Complete a monthly report and other reports as needed

  • Taking the lead on planning and conducting ACI outreach

  • Organizing and implementing social activities.

  • Expansion of our social media presence (including TikTok)

  • Teaching independent living skills classes

  • Other duties as assigned

Read more …
Posted on December 1, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella.

Please Support NJ WorkAbility Bills!

The Disability Advocacy Committee, of which ACI is a member, has been working on advocating to make changes to the NJ WorkAbility program. NJ WorkAbility offers people with disabilities who are working, and whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid, the opportunity to receive full Medicaid coverage.

Legislation, A5262 and S3455, is pending in the NJ Legislature to make 5 changes that would benefit more people with disabilities who which to return to work but continue to receive Medicaid. These are…

  • The removal of the unearned income limit

  • The removal of the earned income limit

  • The removal of the current upper-age limit of 64

  • Continued coverage for 12 months following a job loss

  • The exclusion of spousal income and resources in the applicant's eligibility determination

Please click on the link below to send letters to the Senate and Assembly leadership and Governor Murphy before the current legislature expires in January: actionnetwork.org/letters/please-support-nj-workability-bills-a5262-as-introduced-and-s3455

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

Enter for a Chance to Win a Holiday Toy Gift Basket from ACI! (UPDATE: WINNERS!)

(UPDATE 12/17/21: Congratulations to our toy raffle winners!! Jeff Kostuk, Millie Gonzalez, and Brenda Cazares!!)

Just in time for the holidays! We are raffling off several holiday toy gift baskets featuring a LOL Surprise OMG Fashion doll, a Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron, and several disability-themed Barbie dolls!

To enter, just pick a raffle ticket that you would like to purchase from the drop down menu below and click the “Buy Now” button. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the ACI office (located at 629 Amboy Ave, Edison, NJ). Tickets are $15 for the Magic Mixies/OMG doll raffle and $5 for each of the Barbie doll raffles.

All proceeds benefit ACI’s programs and services.

Winners will be announced on Friday, December 17th. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Donate.

ACTION ALERT: Support the Freedom to Vote Act!

On September 14th, legislation was introduced in the United States Senate that will protect access to the ballot box of voters and will make it easier for citizens to cast a ballot in a secure but convenient way.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, will:

  • Required every state to have automatic voter registration.

  • Make Election Day a federal holiday.

  • Provide that eligible citizens could request a mail ballot and drop it off at a secure drop box if they so desire.

  • Restore federal voting rights to returning citizens who have been released from prison after serving their sentences.

  • Ban partisan gerrymandering and makes it easier for judges to strike down legislative district maps that unfairly entrench one political party in power and deny communities of color fair representation

Read more …
Posted on September 17, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Voting.

Great.com Interview with ACI's CJ Dodge

Individuals with disabilities face the same challenges that everyone does in life, however their disabilities may not only make those challenges more difficult but they often have additional obstacles as well. Many of these obstacles are due to how the world around them is designed and the lack of adequate support systems. But, this need not be the case. In this episode, we talk with Charles Dodge from Alliance Center for Independence about providing resources and education for disabled individuals on how they can live their lives independently as possible, as well as providing resources and assistance for those that are in need and would like to be independent.

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Advocacy.

COVID-19 Vaccine Survey for People with Disabilities

COVID-19 Vaccine 2.jpg

The Alliance Center for Independence is planning a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccines that is open to the disability community. The purpose of the event is to provide the disability community with information so that individuals can make an informed choice about getting or not getting a vaccine.

To help in the planning process, ACI is asking our consumers to fill out the following survey.

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Health.

New Job Opportunity at ACI: Food Service Program Manager

ACI is hiring!!!

ACI is excited to have received a grant from the Kessler Foundation. The Community Employment Grant will focus on preparing people with disabilities to work in the food service industry while receiving their ServSafe Food Handler certification. We are looking for an energetic and creative program manager. Responsibilities will include certifying 12 individuals with disabilities on the basics of working in the food service industry, including food prep, safe food handling, customer service, money skills, time management and employment preparation. 28 hours per week with benefits. Drug and background check needed.

If interested, please send your resume to ctonks@adacil.org. No calls please.

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Employment.