FINAL March 2016 ACCSES Newsletter … · 24 New Jersey State buildings that CNA cleans in the...

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NA Services is continuing its steady progress this year after ending 2015 by closing in on another record-setting number of jobs. A total of 6,716 workers with disabilities were employed through the program at the start of 2015, with an average hourly wage of $11.97. While final job figures are still being tabulated for the full year, CNA was projecting a one percent increase. CNA’s expanding number of contracts is also bolstering hopes for another year of employment gains in 2016. Janitorial Services continues as CNA’s leading category, in terms of volume, with more work added in the first quarter of this year. New contracts were started with Manalapan Township and Bernards Township. The Janitorial section is expanding use of the Smart Inspect System, which grades the quality of its work, based on site inspections. Some of inspections were performed by Core Management Services as a third party quality audit; others were done by CNA staff using the same software and data elements. Scores of 90 to 100 percent are considered excellent (represents a World Class cleaning program); those ranging from 84 to 89 are considered good, meaning the work meets or exceeds general requirements and specifications. Inspections were done over the last six months at 24 New Jersey State buildings that CNA cleans in the Trenton area. Regardless of who conducted the inspections, the lowest score recorded was 85.54 percent, while the average score was over 91 percent. ACCSES NJ/CNA Services Vice President Floyd Nesse said the results reflect consistent quality in CNA’s janitorial work. Core Services will be performing more inspections in April. In partnership with the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), CNA Services has started to train and certify all its janitorial workers in the Trenton area. The individual certification falls under ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Training Standards (CITS). CITS is the premier training standard in the cleaning industry that gives workers the right credentials to achieve the recognition they deserve. The goal of the certification program is to increase professionalism and to validate the workers’ efforts to their employer and peers. To become CITS certified, workers must first pass a pre-requisite exam called Cleaning 101, which covers the basic necessities for what it takes to IN THIS ISSUE P2 Chairperson’s Message P3 WIOA & Work Choices P4-7 Member News P8 Member Roster UPCOMING MEETINGS CNA Growth Sustained continued on page 3 General Membership May 19, 2016 Executive & DVRS Liaison Committees May 5, 2016 Business Development Commission/CNA Committee June 2, 2016 C he quest to maintain our state funding for jobs for people with disabilities in DVRS is contingent on passage by the New Jersey Legislature. Governor Christie included amounts equal to last year’s appropriation in the spending plan he proposed to the lawmakers in February. The legislature must give its consent and the Governor must sign the Appropriation Act for 2017. ACCSES New Jersey presented testimony in support of the funding to the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Jack Doyle, CEO of North Jersey Friendship House, and Tyrone Simpson, one of the agency’s consumers, represented ACCSES NJ at the committee meetings in March. Mr. Doyle told the panels it is critical that the funding be preserved in the New Jersey State budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which begins on July 1, 2016. On behalf of ACCSES NJ and its 36 member organizations, he thanked the Legislature for working with the Christie Administration to reverse deep cuts to the funding for these desperately needed jobs for people with disabilities and said: “While the efforts reversed years of cuts, they essentially left the funding where it was in FY 2002, adjusting for inflation. It is essential that our member organizations contin- ue to receive the additional funds authorized last year, so they can maintain jobs and other services for the state’s most disadvantaged citizens.” ACCSES New Jersey represents over 150,000 State Funding Awaits Legislative Action T MARCH 2016 Unlocking Opportunities in New Jersey continued on page 3

Transcript of FINAL March 2016 ACCSES Newsletter … · 24 New Jersey State buildings that CNA cleans in the...

Page 1: FINAL March 2016 ACCSES Newsletter … · 24 New Jersey State buildings that CNA cleans in the Trenton area. Regardless of who conducted the inspections, the lowest score recorded

NA Services is continuing its steadyprogress this year after ending 2015 byclosing in on another record-setting

number of jobs. A total of 6,716 workers with disabilities were employed through the programat the start of 2015, with an average hourly wageof $11.97. While final job figures are still beingtabulated for the full year, CNA was projecting aone percent increase. CNA’s expanding number ofcontracts is also bolstering hopes for another yearof employment gains in 2016.

Janitorial Services continues as CNA’s leadingcategory, in terms of volume, with more workadded in the first quarter of this year. New contracts were started with Manalapan Townshipand Bernards Township.

The Janitorial section is expanding use of theSmart Inspect System, which grades the quality of its work, based on site inspections. Some ofinspections were performed by Core ManagementServices as a third party quality audit; others weredone by CNA staff using the same software anddata elements. Scores of 90 to 100 percent areconsidered excellent (represents a World Classcleaning program); those ranging from 84 to 89are considered good, meaning the work meets or

exceeds general requirements and specifications.Inspections were done over the last six months at24 New Jersey State buildings that CNA cleans inthe Trenton area. Regardless of who conductedthe inspections, the lowest score recorded was85.54 percent, while the average score was over 91 percent. ACCSES NJ/CNA Services VicePresident Floyd Nesse said the results reflect consistent quality in CNA’s janitorial work. CoreServices will be performing more inspections inApril.

In partnership with the International SanitarySupply Association (ISSA), CNA Services has startedto train and certify all its janitorial workers in theTrenton area. The individual certification fallsunder ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Training Standards(CITS). CITS is the premier training standard inthe cleaning industry that gives workers the rightcredentials to achieve the recognition theydeserve. The goal of the certification program is toincrease professionalism and to validate the workers’ efforts to their employer and peers. Tobecome CITS certified, workers must first pass apre-requisite exam called Cleaning 101, whichcovers the basic necessities for what it takes to

IN THIS ISSUE

P2Chairperson’s Message

P3WIOA & Work

Choices

P4-7Member News

P8Member Roster

UPCOMINGMEETINGS

CNA Growth Sustained

continued on page 3

General MembershipMay 19, 2016

Executive & DVRSLiaison Committees

May 5, 2016

BusinessDevelopment

Commission/CNACommitteeJune 2, 2016

C

he quest to maintain our state funding forjobs for people with disabilities in DVRS iscontingent on passage by the New Jersey

Legislature. Governor Christie included amountsequal to last year’s appropriation in the spendingplan he proposed to the lawmakers in February.The legislature must give its consent and theGovernor must sign the Appropriation Act for2017.

ACCSES New Jersey presented testimony insupport of the funding to the Assembly BudgetCommittee and the Senate Budget andAppropriations Committee. Jack Doyle, CEO ofNorth Jersey Friendship House, and TyroneSimpson, one of the agency’s consumers, represented ACCSES NJ at the committee meetingsin March.

Mr. Doyle told the panels it is critical that thefunding be preserved in the New Jersey State budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which begins on July1, 2016. On behalf of ACCSES NJ and its 36 member organizations, he thanked the Legislaturefor working with the Christie Administration toreverse deep cuts to the funding for these desperately needed jobs for people with disabilities and said: “While the efforts reversedyears of cuts, they essentially left the fundingwhere it was in FY 2002, adjusting for inflation. Itis essential that our member organizations contin-ue to receive the additional funds authorized lastyear, so they can maintain jobs and other servicesfor the state’s most disadvantaged citizens.”

ACCSES New Jersey represents over 150,000

State Funding Awaits Legislative Action

T

MARCH 2016

Unlocking Opportunities in New Jersey

continued on page 3

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he past few months have been a busy period for ourAssociation, with work in progress and news breaking on several fronts. Articles in this CAPITAL VIEW issue provide

more details on each of the topics I will cover.Our CNA Services State Set-Aside program continued to add to

its value as a keystone function of ACCSES New Jersey. CNA hadanother excellent year of sustained growth in 2015 and is makingmore progress year-to-date with new contracts. The program isalso making a concerted effort to expand its reach into newavenues of opportunity. I congratulate the CNA central staff and theaffiliate member-organizations that have worked so diligently tomake the program a success.

We are very pleased that Governor Christie included the levelfunding we requested in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget he proposedto the Legislature for Vocational Rehabilitation programs that provide jobs and services for people with disabilities. The Christie Administration and the Legislature worked together last yearto reverse deep cuts to the funding for these desperately needed jobs. While the efforts reversedyears of cuts, they essentially left the funding where it was in FY 2002, adjusting for inflation. It isessential that our member organizations continue to receive the additional funds authorized lastyear, so they can maintain jobs and other services for the state’s most disadvantaged citizens. Inorder for the funding to be finalized, the Legislature must give its consent and the Governor mustsign the Appropriation Act for FY 2017, which begins on July 1. I thank Jack Doyle and TyroneSimpson of the North Jersey Friendship House, who presented our testimony in support of thefunding to the Budget and Appropriations Committees of the State Assembly and Senate.

Among the state and national issues on which our Association has been working, none is moreimportant than implementation of the final regulations for the Workforce Innovation andOpportunity Act (WIOA). A special advisory committee has made rule recommendations to Congress that we oppose. They would eliminate two important choices now available to individuals with disabilities: center-based employment and work-crew jobs. This restriction ofwork choices would not only be harmful to individuals with disabilities but also would be costlyfor New Jersey. The affected workers would be forced to stay at home or enter day programs, ifspace is available, that are more expensive and do not offer work opportunities. The loss of wageswould remove the workers’ spending from local economies throughout New Jersey and wouldwipe out the taxes they pay to the state. ACCSES New Jersey believes that an overwhelming caseexists for permitting people with disabilities to continue to have the right to seek jobs in a widearray of employment options. We are working with national ACCSES and other organizations toensure this outcome in the WIOA regulations.

Finally, we have a “changing of the guard” in four of our member-organization top executiveposts that have taken place this year. Linda Mayo became Executive Director of The Arc ofMonmouth, following the retirement of Mary Scott; Matthew Putts replaced the retiring JurateFiore as Executive Director of Employment Horizons; Len Nicolosi returns as CEO of North JerseyFriendship House, where Jack Doyle has retired; and Katy Gaul-Stigge was named President andCEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, succeeding William J.Forrester who retired. Our congratulations go out to the new executives, along with deep and heartfelt thanks to those who have left the positions after serving with such dedication for somany years.

M E S S A G EFROM THE CHAIRPERSON

By Mark Boyd

CAPITAL VIEW is a publication of

ACCSES New Jersey

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

STAFF

Peggy Englebert Past Chairperson

Nils Richardson President/CEO

150 West State Street Suite 120

Trenton, NJ 08608Tel 609-392-1255Fax 609-392-3236www.accsesnj.org

www.cnaservices.org

ACCSES New Jersey

Please direct comments and inquiries to:

Nils Richardson, PublisherWalt Sodie, Editor

Floyd Nesse Vice President

ACCSES NJ-CNA Services

Mark Boyd Chairperson

(Association for Choices inCommunity Supports and

Employment Services)

Kevin Regan

Lori Natoli

Jim Yuill

John Ganley John Faranda James Manton

Garth Hutchinson

Office/Accounting Manager Donna Leyva

Jack Doyle Treasurer

Kathy Walsh Secretary

Accounting Dept.

CNA Staff

Building Services Managers

Joanne McKinley

Georgette Januse

Chuck Kingsland

David Czerniakowski

Kim Coligan Irina Zaitseva

Shannon MonseesSal Coppolla

Debra O’Brocki

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T

Mark Boyd

Unlocking Opportunities in New Jersey

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3Work Choice Debate Intensifies

CCSES New Jersey is working with partners on the state and feder-al levels to achieve a better outcome on the U.S. Department ofEducation's (DOE) proposed rules for implementation of the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Act, signed intolaw by President Obama in 2014, reauthorizes and reforms core workforce development programs administered by DOE and theDepartment of Labor. A special advisory committee has made rule rec-ommendations that ACCSES NJ and national ACCSES believe would beharmful to people with disabilities who want to work.

Both ACCSES organizations support the priority that competitive integrated employment should be the first option for consideration for individuals with disabilities. However, this priority should not be to theexclusion of an array of options that best suit the individuals and their goals,

ACCSES NJ’s members strive to work with consumers to enable themto achieve the best, most integrated job at the highest wage possible.Because not all individuals with severe disabilities can find or hold a jobin a community business, they should have multiple options at their disposal that include center-based employment and work crew jobs and

Athe ability to earn a paycheck if they so choose. The proposed WIOA rulewould severely restrict or deny these options.

We recognize that some individuals with significant disabilities maynot be able to meet standards and perform the essential functions of ajob that entitle them to be paid the minimum wage or prevailing wage. Inorder to enable such individuals to work and receive the benefits ofworking, Congress enacted Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act(FLSA) “to prevent the curtailment of opportunities for employment” ofpersons with significant disabilities by allowing the payment of specialminimum wages commensurate with their level of productivity. WithoutSection 14(c), these individuals would have limited opportunities towork, which might have the effect of forcing them to stay at home, enterday habilitation centers (if a space were available) or live in an institution. In short, eliminating or phasing out the special minimumwage would likely result in many individuals with significant disabilitiesreceiving no pay whatsoever instead of a special minimum wage anddenying them the tangible as well as the intangible benefits of work.

Continued from page 1

CNA Services

work as a frontline cleaning professional. Document Imaging services were the strongest growth area for CNA

in 2015, when combining percentage gains (56.33%) with volume. More growth is expected this year, with the New Jersey Motor VehicleCommission contract continuing and new business opportunities unfolding.

Call Center Services to the Division of Consumer Affairs also continuesto grow. CNA now provides these services to all of the 43 licensing

boards in the state.Building Trades Services is another bright spot, with consistent

growth over the past few years. One of the latest additions is FacilityMaintenance Services for the NJ Public Broadcasting Authority, whichCNA began in December 2015.

CNA Services is working on a number of promising, new opportunitiesaround the state, with the aim of producing more jobs for individuals withdisabilities.

Continued from page 1

Funding

citizens with severe disabilities served in its members’ community-basedvocational programs. New Jersey’s investment in ACCSES NJ-memberprograms is generating nearly $110 million in net economic impact thisyear.

In his testimony, Mr. Simpson told the legislators about his circumstances before attending Friendship House almost 11 years ago.He said he was overwhelmed, stressed and self-medicated, which resultedin a substance abuse problem. “I was jumping from one institution to thenext and was in and out of the hospital several times because of my mental illness. Friendship House gave me a structure and a support system that includes counseling, groups and peers who understand whatit is like to have a mental illness.”

Simpson now works at the Friendship House five days a week, withassignments including the workshop, reception desk, and on the computer doing payroll entry. He told the committees: “Without the

Jack Doyle (right) and Tyrone Simpson testifying on funding for the New Jersey State Budget.

support of Friendship House, I do not know where I would be. Most likely I would be either in jail or in a psychiatric hospital.”

No date has been set for legislative votes on the budget, which mustbe adopted and signed into law by the Governor before July 1.

continued on page 4

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he Arc of Monmouth namedLinda Mayo, MSW, MS as its new executive director,

following the retirement earlierthis year of Mary Scott. Mayo wasselected by a search committeeconsisting of five board membersand one served individual of theorganization.“Linda brings over two decades of

leadership and experience in non-profits to The Arc, with all the necessary skills and vision to buildon the fine legacy of Mary Scott andmove the organization forward,”said Board President JoyceQuarles.

Ms. Mayo was the chief operating officer of Easter SealsNew Jersey, an organization thatsupports people with disabilities, at atime when the agency served over

7,000 families, had over 1,000employees, and an annual budgetof $100 million. Most recently, she was the senior vice presidentof business development and

4 Unlocking Opportunities in New Jersey

FOUR TOP EXECUTIVES SEATED

Continued from page 3

WIOA

ACCSES NJ and national ACCSES support initiatives to enhance meaningful choice for individuals with the most significant disabilities,including enhanced opportunities to work in competitive integratedemployment (at or above the minimum or prevailing wage) and self-employment. In addition, we support efforts to enhance compliance

and enforcement of Section 14(c) through increased oversight andenhanced training and education.

ACCSES NJ and its partners are working to effectively present thesemessages to members of Congress and to convince them to stay with theoriginal intent of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Nils Richardson, President/CEO of ACCSES NJ, presents lifetime achievement award to Jurate Fiore.

Employment Horizons Linda Mayo Takes Helm

atthew Putts has been selected to be the new Executive Directorof Employment Horizons. Putts, who moves up from the post ofAssistant Executive Director, will succeed Jurate Fiory who

retired effective March 31st after 24 years of service.“After a comprehensive search process, the board is pleased to have

found the best individual to assume leadership of this innovative 57 yearold organization,” said Marion Cooper, President of the Board ofTrustees. “Matt has strong academic credentials and this, combined withhis industry knowledge and institutional tenure, make Matt uniquely

continued on page 5 continued on page 5

MLinda Mayo

T

National Conference Spurs Ideas and Actionhe State Use Programs Association’s(SUPRA) annual conference in Januaryencompassed a broad agenda aimed

at helping the state units enhance their performance. ACCSES New Jersey’s CNA Servicesdivision operates this state’s use program.

The conference included the always popu-lar new products and services session where NJpresented several new items. There was also apresentation on governmental affairs by TerryFarmer, CEO of national ACCSES, as well as JimHammond, SUPRA’s new government affairs

T consultant. Vince Loose, SUPRA’s incomingpresident, outlined his vision for the associationgoing forward. Several new committees wereformed, including legislative and governmentalaffairs, which ACCSES NJ/CNA Services vicepresident Floyd Nesse will chair. Mr. Nesse was attending his final conference as SUPRApresident.

Other sessions included “21st CenturyBusiness Survival Strategies”, “The Benefits ofPartnerships”, and “New Ideas for GrowingJobs.”

Floyd Nesse, chairing a session at the SUPRA conference.

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5NEW EXECUTIVES - CONTINUED

qualified to lead Employment Horizons successfully into the future”. “I am both honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve as

the next Executive Director of Employment Horizons, an agency widelyrecognized as one of the best community rehabilitation non-profits inNew Jersey,” said Putts. “I can think of no agency with better staff orcommunity support. I am grateful to Jurate for her many years of dedication to Employment Horizons and for leading the organization tothe incredible heights it has reached and to the Board of Trustees, staff,families, and other stakeholders who work tirelessly to ensure the bestservices are provided each day to the hundreds of program participantswe serve.”

Putts holds a Doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administrationfrom East Carolina University and a Master of Science degree inRehabilitation Counseling from Rutgers University. He is a published authorin the areas of post-traumatic stress disorder, motivational interviewing andthe use of technology in the counseling field.

Continued from page 4

Employment Horizons Executive

operations of Easter Seals at the national level in Chicago. Mayo has aMaster of Science from New York University in management and aMaster of Social Work in administration from Rutgers University.

“As the new executive director of The Arc of Monmouth I am honored to build upon the outstanding achievements made in advancingthe mission of improving the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families,” said Mayo. “I am confident that together, through the advocacy and education efforts ofpersons served, families, staff and board, and countless community partners, we will successfully tackle the challenges, embrace the opportunities, and thrive.”

Continued from page 4

The Arc of Monmouth Executive

aty Gaul-Stigge is the newPresident and CEO ofGoodwill Industries of

Greater New York and NorthernNew Jersey. Most recently, she wasexecutive director of the New YorkMayor’s Office of WorkforceDevelopment and led key citywideworkforce development agenciesfor over a decade. She succeedsWilliam J. Forrester who retiredafter 33 years of service.

“Katy was the unanimouschoice of our Board SelectionCommittee after conducting anextensive search. She will bring afresh perspective, imagination, andenthusiasm to our solid GoodwillNYNJ team,” said Goodwill NYNJBoard Chairman, Henry E. Gooss.

“I am honored and excited tojoin Goodwill NYNJ as CEO of thisdynamic organization,” said Ms.Gaul-Stigge. “I am inspired by itsmission to help individuals gainindependence through the powerof work. Their model of creatingjobs and community programmingthrough personal donations transforms lives and communities.”

Gaul-Stigge has been a majorforce in workforce developmentstrategy and policy for over 10 years - gaining national and international attention for herdevelopment of Mayor de Blasio’sCareer Pathways strategy.

“I’m excited that Katy Gaul-Stigge has been appointed to theposition of president and CEO ofGoodwill Industries of Greater NewYork and Northern New Jersey,”said Jim Gibbons, president andCEO of Goodwill IndustriesInternational. I look forward tocollaborating with her and thebroader team on transforming thevision for the organization.”

Goodwill NY-NJ Names President/CEO

K

Katy Gaul-Stigge

he Board of Trustees of North Jersey Friendship House (NJFH) hascompleted the leadership transition that was strategically plannedover the last six months. John T. Doyle (Jack Doyle) is retiring from

his position as CEO and Leonard J. Nicolosi (former Friendship HouseCEO) has been named as his successor.

While at Friendship House, Mr. Doyle was instrumental in the development of many programs and services as well as doubling theagency’s operating budget. The effort he put forth on behalf of the organization has resulted in growth, financial security, and a well-earnedreputation for quality services.

“I have been CEO of Friendship House for the past seven years.”Doyle said. “It has been the most gratifying experience in my professionalcareer, especially working with our members, whose dedicationenhances their capabilities in a number of meaningful ways. I have beenfortunate to have a most creative staff and, with their collaboration, anumber of innovative programs have been developed to meet the needsof our members.”

Mr. Nicolosi had held the CEO position at NJFH prior to Doyle and ispleased to have the opportunity to not only continue the momentum ofgrowth but also expand the current programs and services as well.Friendship House has been in the process of developing a strategic planfor the next three to five years. Nicolosi will lead this effort and feels …“The finished product will make NJFH a more responsive organization tothe needs of our members and the community at large.”

TFriendship House

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6Congressman Tours Residential Facility

Unlocking Opportunities in New Jersey

epresentative Frank Pallone, Jr. of NewJersey’s sixth district paid a special visit toThe Arc of Monmouth’s Wayside Oaks

apartment complex to meet one of its residents,Richard Pickens, for a discussion on social supports and advocacy.

Pickens invited Congressman Pallone for a tourof his apartment and to learn more about how residential services at The Arc of Monmouth helphim. Sixteen individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) reside at thecomplex, with The Arc staff providing on-site training and support.

In their one-on-one meeting, Pickens and

R Congressman Pallone discussed how importantservices, such as Medicare and Social Security,have played a role in fostering a sense of independence in Pickens’ life. This meeting gavePickens the opportunity to not only advocate forhimself, but for other individuals with I/DD whodepend on these services and supports each day.

“We are so proud of Richard for this opportunity,” Dawn Delaney, Director ofResidential Services at The Arc of Monmouth, saidof Congressman Pallone’s visit. “Meeting with theCongressman gave him a chance to speak up about important issues that affect him and otherindividuals with I/DD.”

Congressman Pallone (right),Richard Pickens and

Dawn Delaney in Mr. Pickens apartment.

Officials Tour Friendship House fficials from the New Jersey Department of Labor and WorkforceDevelopment (LWD), along with ACCSES NJ President/CEO NilsRichardson, visited the North Jersey Friendship House to view the

agency’s job programs for people with disabilities. The agency’s mission is to build the skills of individuals with varying

abilities and developmental needs by providing comprehensive clinicaltreatment, vocational training and work opportunities. Programs includeday treatment, food services, supported employment services and anadults-with-autism day program. Friendship House also has two newprograms, ICON and CLEAN which provide specialized training in culinary arts and custodial services.

The Food Services unit, which has been in operation for nearly 30 years, handles all aspects of menu planning, food handling andpreparation, delivery and service. The program includes a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen facility and serves Business Conferences andSeminars, Corporate Banquets, Adult/Senior Meal Programs, and SchoolBreakfast and Lunch Programs. Its large catering operation provides1600 daily meals to contracted sites, as well as single event catering fora number of clients such as the Bergen County Health Department and

O

Becton Dickinson Pharmaceuticals. ICON, a Food Service Training program for adults with autism and

other disabilities, features a 12 week training course, after which participants are referred to supported employment for competitive placementin food services. It has trained people now working in such places asShake Shack, Prudential Center, and three different Applebee’s locations.

LWD Deputy Director Aaron Fichtner (2nd from right) and DVRS Director Alice Hunnicutt meeting with Friendship House Director

of Food Services Dave Bein (center), outgoing CEO Jack Doyle (left) and ACCSES NJ President/CEO Nils Richardson during the tour.

pay the standard tuition and fees for a college education. The labor force participation rate of people with disabilities is vastly lower than that of the general population. Lauren Panarella, Executive Director

of The Arc of Somerset County, believes part of the reason is their lack of post-secondary educational opportunities. The Achievement Center aims toreduce the disparity.

For more information on the program, call 908-725-8544, or visit www.thearcofsomerset.org.

Continued from page 7

Education Collaboration

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and Atlantic County regions.

7CODI Business Flourishes

lwyn New Jersey continues toexpand its custodial trainingand placement program with

the addition of two legislative sitesin Cumberland County.

Under the direction of RobertEnnis, Program Manager forElwyn’s Mobile Crew Operations,legislatives offices in Millville andVineland are now being cleanedweekly by various individuals whohave shown the desire, interest,motivation and, with Elwyn’s support, the ability to properlyclean and maintain such an officeor facility.

Elwyn’s Mobile Crew Operationis not a large program. However,via membership with ACCSESNJ/CNA Services, Elwyn now maintains 10 sites within theGloucester, Cumberland, Cape May

New Janitorial Jobs at Elwyn

E

An Elwyn worker outside of one of the legislative offices

being cleaned by the agency’s Janitorial crew.

he Center for Educational Advancement (CEA) recently received a$500 grant from the MagyarBank Charitable Foundation to continueupgrades to their Culinary Arts training facilities. This support

supplements funding already received for this project, which includes aprevious grant from the MagyarBank Charitable Foundation. Funding willhelp to expand the kitchen and provide a dedicated food preparationarea to better prepare clients for community employment.

CEA Receives Grant

T

Shown here for the check presentation is Jay Castillo, MagyarBank Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer;

Pat Napolitan, CEA Culinary Arts Training Director; and Anggy Agudelo, MagyarBank Community Relations Specialist

en years ago, Career OpportunityDevelopment, Inc. (CODI) purchased anindustrial paper shredder, hoping that it

would provide a new opportunity for con-sumers with disabilities to earn money. Theeconomy was collapsing, businesses were closing and unemployment was skyrocketing.Businesses moving out of South Jersey werehaving a rippling effect on CODI’s outsourcecenter piecework. At the same time, concernfor identity theft increased and people wantedtheir personal information destroyed. CODIsoon purchased another shredder. And another! Word spread about CODI and thework people with disabilities were doing,destroying documents. Each year more and

T more paper comes in to be shredded. Theshredders are running every weekday.

In the spring of 2015, a baler was donatedto CODI from Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training,and Opportunity Center. Now paper and cardboard is baled and sold to a vendor,increasing revenue for the shredding business.

In November 2015 the CODI shreddingbusiness became completely consumer run.These hard workers interact with customers,shred their paper, maintain the machines andkeep accurate records. CODI is thrilled that avision years ago has become a small businessemploying people with disabilities. It providesemployment as well as pride and dignity for theworking individuals.

A CODI consumer working at a ‘bailer’ that compacts shredded paper,

preparing it for sale.

he Arc of Somerset County and Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) are now in the second semester of a pilotprogram called “The Achievement Center,” which enables people with intellectual and developmental disabilities toattend a college program at RVCC. The objective is to give them a college experience, an opportunity that does not

exist for a vast majority of individuals with disabilities. The Arc of Somerset County provides support to assist them, andThe Arc of Hunterdon County also participates in the program.

Persons interested in the three year program must submit an application and be interviewed to establish their levelof academic ability. The program is not limited to residents of Somerset County and Hunterdon County. Students have to

TA participant at work in The Achievement Center.

Collaboration for Education

continued on page 6

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Abilities NWWashington

Abilities SolutionsWestville

Allies, Inc.Hamilton Township

Bestwork IndustriesCherry Hill

Bright Star Scanning ServicesHoboken

Career Opportunity DevelopmentEgg Harbor

Care Plus NJParamus

Catholic Community Services Boland Rehab Center

Newark

Center for Educational AdvancementFlemington

Center for Vocational Rehabilitation

Eatontown

Community QuestEgg Harbor Twp.

Easter Seals NJEast Brunswick

Edison Sheltered WorkshopEdison

Elwyn NJVineland

Employment Horizons, IncCedar Knolls

Family Guidance CenterWashington

FEDCAP Rehabilitation ServicesSouth River

Goodwill Industries (North Jersey)Harrison

Goodwill Industries (South Jersey)Maple Shade

Hudson Community EnterprisesJersey City

InspiriTec, Inc.Philadelphia

INROADS TO OPPORTUNITIES

Roselle

Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training & Opportunity Center

Cape May Court House

Jewish Vocational ServiceEast Orange

North Jersey Friendship HouseHackensack

Northwest Essex CommunityHealthcare Network

Montclair

Opportunity Project, Inc.Milburn

OTC-Burlington CountyBurlington Twp.

PAFACOM, INC.Vineland

Pathways to IndependenceKearny

SourceAmericaVienna, VA

Spectrum WorksSecaucus

St. John of God Community ServicesWestville Grove

The Arc of Bergen & Passaic CountiesHackensack

The Arc of Camden CountyBerlin

The Arc of Mercer CountyEwing

The Arc of Monmouth CountyTinton Falls

The Arc of Ocean CountyLakewood

The Arc of Salem CountySalem

The Arc of Somerset CountyManville

The Arc of Sussex CountyAugusta

MEMBERS & AFFILIATESMEMBERS & AFFILIATES

150 West State StreetSuite 120Trenton, NJ 08608

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