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In this Week's Edition
News
Member Meeting Recap
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DDD RFP for the Development
of Homes to Support People with IDD Transitioning From Nursing Facilities
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Census Bureau Drops Proposal
to Change Disability Statistics
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Governor Murphy Signs Law
for Presumptive Eligibility for Medicaid
Home and Community-Based Services
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Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey Honoring
SHA at 35th Anniversary Lunch
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Housing Preservation Study Data
More Housing Needed
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Human Services Announces
Expanded Income Eligibility Limits for
Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
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Monarch Housing Associates
BIPOC Developers’ Collaborative
Inaugural Networking Event
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NJAAW Launches State-Wide
Survey of Older Residents
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nTIDE Year-End Jobs Report
2023 Employment Gains
for People with Disabilities
Resources & Events
DDD Update:
Networking Opportunities for Individuals
and Families Self-Directing Their Services
February - March, 2024
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Webinar on No Wrong Door Systems
Leading the Way in Latest LTSS Scorecard
February 14, 2024
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Shelterforce Webinar:
Getting to More Accessible,
Affordable, Inclusive Housing
February 15, 2024
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New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus
Positive Impacts and New Possibilities
in the Disability Community
February 20, 2024
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Foothold Technology Webinar
Pine Castle's Pathways Curriculum:
A Supportive Journey for
Individuals and DSPs
February 21, 2024
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The DCM Associates Nonprofit CEO & Board Leadership Virtual Conference
February 22, 2024
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FHLBNY Community Lending
Affordable Housing Program
Training Sessions
February - March
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Stanley-Brown Safety Planning
Intervention Training
February 28, 2024
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Finally HOME NJ Symposium
March 9, 2024
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InnovAGING New Jersey Summit
March 22, 2024
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Housing Highlight from SHA Member
Allendale
Apply by March 15th
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
March 11, 2024
Virtual
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
April 3, 2024
In Person
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Save the Date!
SHA's 26th
Annual Conference
November 15, 2024
The Palace, Somerset, NJ
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Westfield
Apply by February 13th
Netcong
Apply by February 16th
Millburn
Apply by February 26th
Morris County
(Multiple)
Apply by March 8th
Montgomery
Apply by March 1st
Little Ferry
Apply by March 4th
Dunellen
Apply by March 11th
Springfield
Apply by March 12th
Manalapan
Apply by March 13th
Allendale
Apply by March 15th
Florham Park
Apply by March 18th
Pittsgrove
Apply by March 24th
Englewood
Apply by March 25th
Teaneck
Apply by April 2nd
Cohome
Two Supportive Housing Apartments in Morristown
Apply Today
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SHA started off 2024 with a full meeting agenda and many important updates covered for members in attendance. With thanks to our guests including David Helfand from DMHAS, Ayrianne Parks from Enterprise Community Partners with a Federal Perspective, and Jonathan Tew and Joseph Bongiovanni from DMAHS, attendees gained perspective on updates at the state and federal levels.
Board Chair, Steve Schoch and Monica Vir, Chair of the Nominating Committee helped welcome two new members to the Board of Trustees.
Kyle G. Cruz, from NJHMFA demonstrated site evaluators for multifamily and single family sites with layers available pertaining to program eligibility, QAP components, and other relevant data for housing development.
Julie DeSimone from the NJ Health Quality Care Institute discussed social determinants of health and the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) which gives mayors and community leaders evidence-based tools and guidance to improve the health and wellness of their communities.
Diane Riley welcomed SHA's new and returning members, Kate Kelly relayed the latest from the second edition of the Integrated Community Project Toolkit for Municipalities, and Joseph Christensen shared that more data is on the way for the Affordable Housing Data Project.
If you want to be part of meetings like this and never miss all of the latest updates in the SHA community, reach out to Joseph Christensen to learn how to become a member.
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Congratulations to Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services on being awarded a DHS contract for outpatient services to older adults aged 55 years and older, with priority given to those with serious mental illness (SMI). | |
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SHA Welcomes New & Returning
Members In 2024
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SHA Renewing Champions
As we reach another renewal cycle, SHA greatly appreciates the continuing support of these sustaining champions who proactively (30-days) affirmed their renewals.
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DDD RFP for the Development of Homes to Support People with IDD Transitioning From Nursing Facilities | |
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The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the release of a new Request for Proposal (RFP), To Support the Development of Homes for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Transitioning from Nursing Facilities and Other Qualified Institutions.
Successful bidders will develop new residential opportunities to support people to move from nursing facilities into community-based residential homes. Funds provided will be used to develop new sites or enhance existing sites to provide accessibility and other modifications that are needed to facilitate appropriate supports for a person who is moving from a nursing facility or other qualified institution.
The Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposal are posted on the DHS Grants, RFPs, Public Notices webpage. The deadline to submit questions is February 22, 2024 and the deadline for proposal submissions is May 1, 2024.
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Census Bureau Drops Proposal
to Change Disability Statistics | |
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The U.S. Census Bureau is no longer moving forward with a controversial proposal that could have shrunk a key estimated rate of disability in the United States by about 40%, the bureau's director said Tuesday in a blog post.
The American Community Survey currently asks participants yes-or-no questions about whether they have "serious difficulty" with hearing, seeing, concentrating, walking and other functional abilities. To align with international standards and produce more detailed data about people's disabilities, the bureau had proposed a new set of questions that would have asked people to rate their level of difficulty with certain activities.
Based on those responses, the bureau was proposing that its main estimates of disability would count only the people who report "A lot of difficulty" or "Cannot do at all," leaving out those who respond with "Some difficulty." That change, the bureau's testing found, could have lowered the estimated share of the U.S. population with any disability by around 40% — from 13.9% of the country to 8.1%.
That finding, along with the proposal's overall approach, sparked pushback from many disability advocates. Some have flagged that measuring disability based on levels of difficulty with activities is out of date with how many disabled people view their disabilities. Another major concern has been how changing this disability data could make it harder to advocate for more resources for disabled people. (NPR.org, February 6, 2024)
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Governor Murphy Signs Law for Presumptive Eligibility
for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services | |
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SHA is grateful to our partners at Disability Rights New Jersey for highlighting the following story.
On January 16th of this year, Governor Murphy signed legislation that will provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to receive supports and services. Governor Murphy signed legislation that provides for presumptive eligibility for Medicaid home and community-based services for individuals who are likely to be financially and clinically eligible for Medicaid so that these individuals can receive services immediately while their Medicaid application is pending.
Without presumptive eligibility, many individuals who are hospitalized and awaiting Medicaid eligibility are unable to return to their homes as they are not able to pay for the supports and services that will allow them to return home. Instead, many in this situation end up going to a nursing home, which can provide medical services while Medicaid eligibility is pending and obtain reimbursement once eligibility is determined. With presumptive eligibility, home and community-based providers can begin offering services and supports that allow these individuals to return to their homes, where most individuals wish to be.
The law is conditional on the Department of Human Services obtaining federal approval, and it allows for a 30-month implementation timeframe in order for the Department of Human Services to seek and obtain the necessary federal approvals.
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Housing and Community Development Network of
New Jersey Honoring SHA at 35th Anniversary Lunch
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SHA is grateful to be among the 35th Anniversary honorees named this year by the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (The Network). You can join The Network, SHA, and other honorees in April for the 35th Anniversary celebratory luncheon as we mark these years of housing progress.
Visit www.hcdnnj.org/anniversary to learn more.
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Housing Preservation Study Data - More Housing Needed | |
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In New Jersey, HUD and USDA programs play an important role in providing affordable homes to extremely low-income (ELI) families across the state. Many of the publicly supported affordable homes, however, face expiring deed restrictions and are at risk of becoming unaffordable to the state’s lowest income families. Such deed restrictions are part of the current discussions on the affordable housing bill being negotiated at the state level in New Jersey.
The Preservation Profiles use data from the NHPD to provide an overview of the affordable housing inventory at the state level. Advocates can use these one-page profiles to educate both the general public and lawmakers about the great need for affordable housing and preservation funds. Each profile features a graph of units assisted by program and the number of units set to expire in five year categories and provides key facts about cost burden, the housing shortage, and the number of units at risk of loss in the next five years across each state.
For more information about how the Preservation Profiles were created, please visit the methodology page or contact the Database Manager at questions@preservationdatabase.org.
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Human Services Announces Expanded Income Eligibility Limits for Prescription Drug Assistance Programs | |
Monarch Housing Associates
BIPOC Developers’ Collaborative
Inaugural Networking Event | |
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Thursday, February 29, 2024 | 6:00-8:00pm
915 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Monarch Housing Associates is hosting the Inaugural Networking Event for their BIPOC Developers’ Collaborative on February 29th. Learn more about the collaborative and connect with members and partners in this space.
Registration is required to attend the event. Please use the registration form available here to sign up for the event.
Any questions or needs related to the event may be emailed to Kyra Mortensen at
kmortensen@monarchhousing.org.
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NJAAW Launches State-Wide Survey of Older Residents | |
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NJAAW is conducting a state-wide survey to gather personal insights, plans and opinions on aging in NJ.
The results of this survey will be used to shape our policy priorities and identify what is most important to NJ residents aged 60 and over. This survey is for people who are age 60+, who consider New Jersey their primary residence and who live independently in the community. We will be collecting responses through March 15 and appreciate your help in spreading the word and sharing the survey among your contacts and networks. We will share our findings with you once collected and analyzed.
Click here to take the survey
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nTIDE Year-End Jobs Report
2023 Employment Gains for People with Disabilities
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East Hanover, NJ – January 30, 2024 – Amidst the backdrop of a remarkable four-year streak of growth, the employment indicators for people with disabilities reached unprecedented milestones in 2023. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the experiences of people without disabilities who faced a more severe decline during the COVID-19 pandemic and a slower recovery, not surpassing their pre-pandemic employment levels until 2023. That’s according to the National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) 2023 Year-End Special Edition, issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD), based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Reports. | |
Resources & Virtual Forums | |
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DDD Update:
Networking Opportunities for Individuals
and Families Self-Directing Their Services
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The DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services (OESDS) is hosting the following networking events for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and families who are or are interested in self-directing some or all their DDD-funded services.
In-Person Self-Direction Family Networking Sessions
Advance registration is required and online registration is now available!
· Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 1 – 3 pm at the Burlington County Library:
Register for Feb. 13 Session
· Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 1 – 3 pm at the Mercer County-Lawrenceville Library: Register for Feb. 21 Session
· Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 12 – 2 pm at the NJ DDD Freehold Office: Register for March 12 Session
Virtual Self-Direction Family Networking Sessions
Advance registration is required and online registration is now available!
· Hunterdon & Somerset Counties Virtual Family Networking Session – Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 1 – 3 pm: Register for March 5 Virtual Session
To learn more about the Family Networking Sessions, visit the OESDS webpage or email the OESDS Helpdesk.
Virtual Self-Direction Peer-to-Peer Networking Session
Adults with IDD who are self-directing or are interested in learning more about self-direction are welcome to attend.
· Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 6 – 7:30 pm on Zoom: Register for the Feb. 13 Peer-to-Peer Networking Session.
To learn more about Peer-to-Peer Networking Sessions, visit the Self-Advocacy webpage. Feb. 13 Peer-to-Peer Networking Session Flyer
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Webinar on No Wrong Door Systems
Leading the Way in Latest LTSS Scorecard | |
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Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Join ACL, AARP, and state leaders for a webinar to learn more about the 2023 State Scorecard Report on long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with physical disabilities, and family caregivers and how states are improving their No Wrong Door systems metrics.
You will hear from Alison Barkoff, who leads ACL, Susan Reinhard from the AARP Public Policy Institute, and state leaders, who will discuss their experiences with No Wrong Door in their state.
AARP recently released the fifth edition of the Scorecard, a survey that measures state LTSS system performance and ranks states in comparison to one another, seeking to raise the profile of LTSS and drive action both federally and within states. One of five dimensions of the Scorecard is access and affordability. This includes measuring states' progress towards implementing Aging and Disability Resource Center/No Wrong Door (ADRC/NWD) functions. The 2023 Scorecard includes these positive findings about state NWD system expansion and growth:
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Two-thirds of states (34) made progress toward fully functional status with their ADRC/NWD Systems, which are networks of organizations at the state and community levels that help consumers and family caregivers learn about, consider, and navigate LTSS options (both public and private).
- The ADRC/NWD functions indicator was among the top three Scorecard indicators, where the greatest number of states showed significant improvement since the last LTSS Scorecard in 2020.
- Across all five dimensions, the scores and ranks of “Support for Family Caregivers” showed the highest correlation with overall state scores and ranks.
This webinar is free and open to the public, although registration is required. Webinars are recorded and posted with supporting materials on the NWD Technical Assistance website. Closed captioning is available during the webinar. More information on NWD is available on the initiative website.
Contact nowrongdoor@acl.hhs.gov with questions.
Click here to register for the webinar
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Shelterforce Webinar:
Getting to More Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing
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February 15, 2024 | 03:00 PM
Shelterforce will host, "Getting to More Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing," a webinar where we’ll explore why affordable housing development processes should become more disability-forward, and how you can integrate this lens into your housing initiatives. Gain insights from individuals who need more accessible housing, those actively involved in creating it, and advocates who are working on getting more funding for it. The discussion will be moderated by Miriam Axel-Lute, Shelterforce’s CEO and editor-in-chief, and will feature:
• Chelsea Hayman, director of housing policy and programs for Maryland’s Department of Disabilities. Hayman’s areas of specialization include permanent supportive housing, accessibility modifications, aging in place, single family housing rehabilitation programs, and fair housing issues for persons with disabilities.
• Hunter Herrera-McFarland, policy associate for The Kelsey, an organization that creates and works on disability-forward housing solutions.
• Shelly Richardson, executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois working across the state to provide the leadership, research, planning, and education required to support independent living services for people with disabilities across Illinois.
• Anita Cameron, director of minority outreach for Not Dead Yet. Cameron is a longtime disability activist who has been an integral part of the disabilities activist group, ADAPT, protesting for various disabilities rights issues from advocating for wheelchair lifts on buses to pushing to expand home health care.
Click here to register for this webinar
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New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus
Positive Impacts and New Possibilities
in the Disability Community
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Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 12:00 pm.
The next New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus will discuss Positive Impacts and New Possibilities in the Disability Community
Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald will lead the discussion along with Disability Caucus Collaborators.
Click here to register with the Zoom Link
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Foothold Technology Webinar
Pine Castle's Pathways Curriculum:
A Supportive Journey for Individuals and DSPs
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Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 12:00 pm ET
- Outcomes significantly steer changes within the I/DD sector, prompting organizations to consistently seek methods to elevate services, particularly those substantiated by data. Join us to hear firsthand from Pine Castle, recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Innovation Award by the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (FARF), about their groundbreaking curriculum.
- This curriculum, meticulously designed to encompass life skills and employment frameworks, will be discussed by Lori Ann Whittington, CEO at Pine Castle, and Kathy Chauffe, CEO at KMC Curriculum Designs. Discover their collaborative efforts in crafting a structured curriculum that not only provides guidance for work but is also user-friendly for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to effectively teach and excel. Gain insights into the powerful curriculum and discover how it can seamlessly integrate into your organization, offering a valuable product for your consideration.
Click here to register for this webinar
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The DCM Associates Nonprofit
CEO & Board Leadership Virtual Conference | |
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Preparing for Tomorrow
Strengthening Your Leadership and Board Today
February 22, 2024 |12pm to 4pm ET
The strength of your leadership team determines the impact of your organization. Our panel of national experts leading Session 3: Strengthening Your Leadership Team will answer your most pressing questions about building the leadership team that will move your nonprofit forward.
Register here by February 16th
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Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention Training | |
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FREE CLINICAL TRAINING FOR ANY CLINICIAN!
DATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2024
The Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is an evidence-based brief and collaborative clinical intervention that results in a prioritized written list of warning signs, coping strategies, and resources for suicidal individuals to use to prevent future suicidal crises. Both parts of this training will be open to certified licensed community behavioral health clinicians, school-based behavioral health providers, AND interested community members!
PART 1: 9AM-2PM
The first part of this workshop will provide an overview of the Stanley-Brown SPI, including who is appropriate to receive the SPI, data on SPI effectiveness, and comprehensive instruction and roleplay demonstration of how to deliver the SPI to suicidal adults.
PART 2: 2PM-3PM
The last hour of this workshop will describe necessary adaptations for
delivering the SPI specifically to suicidal adolescents and will include a
roleplay demonstration of how to involve caregivers in the intervention.
*Please note that attending Part 1 is required to attend Part 2*
Click here to register for the training
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NJ Division on Civil Rights Virtual Trainings on Housing | |
Finally HOME NJ Symposium | |
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Saturday, March 9th, 10:00am-2:00pm
TCNJ Student Center
2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618
Limited Attendance - Registration Required
About the Symposium: This Housing Symposium seeks to share the knowledge and lessons learned throughout the course of Finally HOME NJ, a one-year grant project funded by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities.
The Symposium features Self-Advocate speakers with lived experience to share their insights on the viable and sustainable housing related approaches and practices in
supporting people with complex support and aging needs.
Please note that this is an in-person event and there will not be a livestream. Lunch and refreshments will be served.
Due to the limited space available, we cannot register more than 75 people at this time. We will have a waiting list in place for those who register after we reach the 75-person limit.
If you later find out that you will not be able to attend the Symposium, please contact Alex Brosseau at AlexB@Viapa.org so that they may inform people on the waiting list. We thank you in advance for your support with this.
Click here to register!
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InnovAGING New Jersey Summit | |
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Friday, March 22, 2024 | 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Rutgers University Hub for Aging Collaboration is preparing for their new “InnovAGING NJ Summit, via Zoom; on Friday, March 22, 2024.
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Access Nature Initiative are happy and excited to participate in this event. The #InnovAGING NJ Summit showcases innovative programs and partnerships that are improving the lives of older adults and changing the aging norms in New Jersey.
Join Rutgers Hub for Aging Collaboration to learn from leaders creating a brighter future for aging and health equity in New Jersey.
At this event, attendees will be able to choose from a range of breakout sessions highlighting innovations on aging in New Jersey. This event will facilitate networking and learning among leaders in the field.
Learn more about the event here https://go.rutgers.edu/InnovAGINGInfo.
Click here to register for the summit.
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member or send donations.
Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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