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Heightened Independence and Progress
131 Main Street, Suite 120
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
201-996-9100
E-Mail: ber@hipcil.org
Eileen Goff, Executive Director
E-Mail: egoff.ber@hipcil.org
Trish Carney, Finance and Development Director
E-Mail: tcarney.ber@hipcil.org
A complete list of staff appears on the "About hip" page |
- Programs and Services -
Information and Referral frequently occurs as a brief service where staff
either provides direct information or functions as a clearinghouse, directing
individuals to other appropriate resources.
Advocacy to Individuals is an essential service which provides assistance with such
issues as housing, employment, and financial benefits.
Systems Advocacy efforts are directed at addressing support or change of appropriate
legislation, enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the
Fair Housing Act, and other issues which promote the full inclusion of people
with disabilities in the community.
Peer Support services are provided by persons with disabilities who may be
staff members, consumers, or other individuals who are in a position to be
of assistance as a result of their own life experiences.
Independent Living Skills Training is the sharing of any information or support which
enables individuals to function as independently as possible.
A great deal of staff time is devoted to the provision of these
core services.
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Adjustment to Vision Loss
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| | Contact:
Nancy Hodgins
Email: nhodgins.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project is a unique, multi-faceted program designed to assist individuals in adjusting to the loss of vision, through their involvement in peer support groups as well as linkage with mental health consultants and other professionals who have been trained to understand their special needs.
AVL serves 14 counties in Northern and Central New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.
The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project provides direct assistance to individuals with vision loss by facilitating the development and maintenance of an extensive network of peer support groups which currently total 49. These groups address issues and concerns of people with vision loss, and through the sharing of their experiences, members provide support to one another. For further information or to participate in a peer support group, contact the AVL Peer Support Coordinator, Susan Vanino at (201) 996-9100.
Our experienced team of mental health professionals provides education and training about the emotional issues of clients who are visually impaired. Training sessions address the rehabilitation process of these clients, psychological issues of loss and grief, and changes in lifestyle and relationships. A telephone linkline is available to professionals for clinical consultation with one of our mental health consultants.
If you would like to schedule an in-service training, make referrals, or obtain additional information, contact the AVL Administrator, Nancy Hodgins at (201) 996-9100. There are no charges for this program.
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Advocacy
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| | Contact:
Nancy Hodgins
Email: nhodgins.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | Advocacy is a leading service at hip which occurs in many ways. The overriding goal is to promote and ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Advocacy staff direct their efforts toward working with individual consumers who face difficulties in areas of housing, employment, transportation, and many other issues.
Systems advocacy is geared toward challenges faced by many people with disabilities. Efforts are directed at addressing support or change of appropriate legislation, enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act and other issues which promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Other areas which have recently been addressed include working with the community to assist people with disabilities in relocating from institutions to their own residences and providing technical assistance to municipalities who are gentrifying their business districts. |
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Caregiver Assistance and Support Project
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| | Contact:
Alicia Freda
Email: afreda.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | CASP is a component of Bergen EASE which offers information, facilitates referrals, and provides an attentive ear to individuals age 60 and over who are assisting a person with a physical disability (age 18 – 59) when the individual is unable to access and direct service on their own. Staff assist in assessing needs and coordinating with community based services as needed in order to support the caregiver in their caretaking role. The program benefits the individual with the disability through increased personal assistance and/or enrollment in benefits programs while the caregiver may receive additional in-home personal assistance. |
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Hispanic Outreach Program
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| | Contact:
Lucy Montalvo
Email: lmontalvo.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | Through this project bilingual staff provide all Center for Independent Living services to people with disabilities who are Hispanic. Assistance is provided with completing applications for immigration, Social Security, housing, and other financial benefit programs. Translation is provided when necessary. |
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Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Determination
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| | Contact:
Maria Valentin
Email: mvalentin.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | LEAD is a statewide program for teenagers with vision loss to enable them to develop a variety of life skills. Six regional coordinators and several mentors, all of whom are visually impaired, serve as positive role models. LEAD enables students who function on grade level to develop skills that will enable them to successfully transition to adult life. Events include trips to a leadership seminar in Washington, DC and to a National Assistive Technology Center in Baltimore. Activities also focus on mobility, career development, self-advocacy, technology, and building self-esteem. The day activities and overnight trips offer students many opportunities for experiential learning. |
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Multimedia Transcription Service
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| | Contact:
Theresa Johnston at (201) 996-9423
Email: mts.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | MTS transcribes print documents into Braille, large print, and audio formats. Through a staff of 8 transcribers certified by the Library of Congress, materials are produced for government entities, non-profit agencies, the corporate sector, schools, hospitals, theaters, and the community at large. A full range of literary, math, science, and foreign language textbooks have been produced for students across the country. Go to the MTS Web Site for further information |
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Peer Support Groups
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| | Contact:
Paula Walsh
Email: pwalsh.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | hip offers a number of peer support groups, including:
- COPE, a group which meets on the last Thursday of each month to address the needs of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Members discuss issues of mutual interest while socializing and forming friendships.
- Women with Disabilities, a group which meets two Mondays each month to address issues such as relationships, women's issues, family dynamics, employment, information sharing, and day-to-day challenges.
- Limited transportation is available for Bergen County residents to attend COPE and the Women's Group.
- The Self-Advocacy Group, which meets twice each month where discussions are facilitated by the participants, and include topics such as self-esteem, perceptions of one's own disability, employment and interpersonal skills, family relationships, self-advocacy, and how to work with a personal care assistant. Participants are referred by the Bergen County Special Services School District.
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Project Access
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| | Contact:
Bob Duffy
Email: ber@hipcil.org |
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| | Project Access is a unique initiative which reviews site and architectural plans for multi-unit residential dwellings in Bergen and Hudson Counties, and provides technical assistance to ensure their compliance with construction codes for accessibility. Plans are reviewed for high rise buildings, senior citizen housing, and other construction. Through the efforts of a licensed building inspector, Project Access provides technical information to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to newly constructed housing. Staff interacts with architects, developers, and construction officials to ensure accessibility and with state and federal enforcement agencies when compliance is not forthcoming. |
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Rehabilitation Technology (SNAP, MAP, and POLIO)
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| | Contact:
Maria Valentin
Email: mvalentin.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | SNAP serves Bergen County residents who are elderly or disabled by providing funding toward assistive devices, equipment, or services which allow them to function independently in their everyday lives. Some examples include wheelchairs, bathroom equipment, hearing aids, emergency alert systems, and more.
From concept to completion, MAP provides partial funding to enable Bergen County residents who are elderly and/or disabled to increase accessibility within their homes. Some examples of home modifications are ramps, roll-in showers, railings, wheelchair lifts and the widening of doorways.
hip acts as a facilitator for the New Jersey Polio Network in a grant program to aid individuals in New Jersey who have been affected by polio. Individuals can apply for grants of up to $500 for such needs as medical evaluations, assistive devices, and medical transportation costs. |
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Support for Independent Living
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| | Contact:
Alicia Freda
Email: afreda.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | SIL provides ongoing care management services for Bergen County residents with disabilities ages 18 – 59. SIL, a component of Bergen EASE, enables individuals to remain independent in their homes. Staff works with consumers to assess needs and coordinate community based services such as home health-care, financial benefits programs, meals on wheels, etc. |
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Traumatic Brain Injury
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| | Contact:
Paula Walsh and Alicia Freda
Email: pwalsh.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a new state-funded case management program for New Jersey residents who have survived an acquired brain injury, for services and supports they need to live in the community. |
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Youth Envisioning Success (YES) - Transitioning From High School to Adult Life
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| | Contact:
Sarah Derico
Email: sderico.ber@hipcil.org |
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| | This project has been designed to assist Bergen County students, and families as they move from high school to higher education or employment. Students will be linked with all of the programs and services of the Center for Independent Living, in order to prepare for the next stage of life. Students and families will have the opportunity to learn about available community resources, interact with peers and appropriate role models, and be assisted to access needed services. |
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