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URGENT: NJ State budget cuts for CILs

URGENT: NJ State budget cuts for CILs

Apr 2, 2025 | Announcement, From the Desk, News, Take Action, Top, URGENT

URGENT:

NJ STATE BUDGET CUTS FOR CILs

Letter: Dear hipcil Friends
Letter: Estimados amigos,
NJ State Legislature

Dear hipcil Friends,

The 12 New Jersey Centers for Independent Living (CILs), have lost their line-item funding from the state budget.  This decision represents a devastating setback to the disability community. The centers provide essential, life-changing services that enable individuals with disabilities to live independently, confidently, and with dignity. Serving all 21 New Jersey counties, the CILs provided over 102,000 consumer services last year alone, demonstrating their far-reaching impact. For decades, CILs have been a cornerstone of support, offering programs and resources that improve quality of life, foster self-sufficiency, and nurture inclusivity.

 While it is understandable that the state is facing financial pressures and preparing for potential federal funding cuts, it is profoundly disheartening and unacceptable that these budgetary constraints have come at the expense of some of our most vulnerable community members. Disabled individuals often encounter countless barriers in their day-to-day lives, and CILs have been a critical force in breaking down those barriers and championing their rights.

 Moreover, eliminating funding for CILs is not a cost-effective decision for the state of New Jersey, especially in light of the potential federal funding cuts.

 The services provided by CILs not only empower individuals with disabilities but also generate significant cost savings for the state. By enabling individuals to live independently and reducing their reliance on institutional care or other more expensive state-funded programs, CILs help alleviate financial burdens on the state budget. Cutting this funding will ultimately lead to higher long-term costs for New Jersey, making it a shortsighted decision.

 The impact of this funding loss extends far beyond the centers themselves.

 It directly affects disabled CIL employees, thousands of individuals and families who depend on these services for their independence and well-being. Many of these individuals face unique challenges that cannot be adequately addressed without the comprehensive support and advocacy that CILs provide. From accessible housing, assistive technology and employment assistance to education, case management and community integration, the services offered by CILs are irreplaceable.

 Despite this setback, we remain hopeful and determined. Solutions must be found to restore this critical funding and ensure the survival of our centers. The centers are more than just service providers; they are lifelines, safe spaces, and sources of empowerment. They play a vital role in creating a more inclusive society where individuals can thrive.

 We urge community members and consumer advocates to come together and fight for the reinstatement of this funding.  Please contact your local NJ legislative offices and voice your concerns, “Restore State funding for the Centers for Independent Living”. The future of thousands depends on it. The work we do at the 12 New Jersey Centers for Independent Living is too important to abandon, and we are committed to the empowerment for individuals with disabilities and their families.

 Sincerely,

 Marily Gonzalez-Escobar

URGENTE:
RECORTES AL PRESUPUESTO

DEL ESTADO DE NUEVA JERSEY

PARA LOS CILs

Estimados amigos,

Nos dirigimos a ustedes con profundo pesar, ya que los 12 Centros de Vida Independiente (CILs) de Nueva Jersey han perdido su financiamiento asignado en el presupuesto estatal. Esta decisión representa un retroceso devastador para la comunidad de personas con discapacidades, afectando no solo a los centros en sí, sino también a los miles de individuos que dependen de ellos para vivir con independencia, dignidad y una mejor calidad de vida.

Los CILs, que sirven los 21 condados de Nueva Jersey, brindaron más de 102,000 servicios a consumidores solo el año pasado, demostrando el impacto profundo de nuestro trabajo. Durante décadas, hemos sido un pilar de apoyo para las personas con discapacidades, ofreciendo programas y recursos que fomentan la autosuficiencia, la inclusión y el empoderamiento. Los servicios que ofrecen los CILs van desde vivienda accesible y tecnología asistiva hasta asistencia laboral, educación, manejo de casos e integración comunitaria, todos servicios que son indispensables para muchos en nuestra comunidad.

Si bien comprendemos los desafíos financieros que enfrenta el estado y la posibilidad de recortes en los fondos federales, es profundamente doloroso e inaceptable que estas restricciones presupuestarias vengan a expensas de algunos de nuestros ciudadanos más vulnerables. Las personas con discapacidades ya enfrentan numerosas barreras para la independencia, y los CILs han sido una fuerza fundamental para derribar esos obstáculos, abogar por sus derechos y ayudarlos a vivir con confianza en la sociedad.

Además, eliminar el financiamiento para los CILs no es una decisión costo-efectiva para Nueva Jersey. Al permitir que las personas vivan de manera independiente y reducir su dependencia del cuidado institucional o de otros programas estatales más costosos, los CILs generan ahorros significativos para el estado. Recortar este financiamiento llevará a costos a largo plazo mucho mayores, lo que hace que esta decisión sea corta de miras y perjudicial.

Las consecuencias de esta pérdida de financiamiento van más allá de los centros en sí. Afecta directamente a los empleados discapacitados de los CILs, así como a los miles de individuos y familias que dependen de nuestros servicios para su independencia y bienestar. Son personas que enfrentan desafíos únicos que no pueden ser adecuadamente atendidos sin el apoyo integral, la defensa y los recursos que los CILs brindan.

A pesar de este revés, seguimos siendo optimistas y decididos. Debemos encontrar soluciones para restaurar este financiamiento crucial y asegurar que nuestros centros puedan continuar con el trabajo vital que realizamos. Los CILs no solo son proveedores de servicios; son salvavidas, espacios seguros y fuentes de empoderamiento. Ayudamos a crear una sociedad más inclusiva donde todas las personas tengan la oportunidad de prosperar.

Les pedimos que se unan a nosotros en la defensa para reinstaurar este financiamiento. Comuníquese con las oficinas legislativas locales de NJ y exprese su preocupación: “Restaurar el financiamiento estatal para los Centros de Vida Independiente.” El futuro de miles de personas y sus familias depende de ello. El trabajo que realizamos es demasiado importante para abandonarlo, y estamos comprometidos con nuestra misión de empoderar a las personas con discapacidades.

Gracias por su apoyo.

Atentamente,

New Jersey State Legislature

SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Paul A. Sarlo (D),
36th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic), Chair,
Email:  sensarlo@njleg.org,
Tel: 201-804-8118

Linda R. Greenstein (D),
14th District (Parts of Mercer and Middlesex), Vice-Chair,
Email:  sengreenstein@njleg.org,
Tel: 609-395-9911

Carmen F. Amato, Jr (R),
9th District (Part of Ocean),
Email:  senamato@njleg.org,
Tel: 609-693-6700

Renee C. Burgess (D),
28th District (Parts of Essex and Union),
Email:  senburgess@njleg.org,
Tel: 862-231-6577

John J. Burzichelli (D),
3rd District (All of Salem and parts of Cumberland and Gloucester),
Email:  asmburzichelli@njleg.org,
Tel: 856-226-3530

Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez (D),
5th District (Parts of Camden and Gloucester),
Email:  sencruzperez@njleg.org,
Tel: 856-541-1251

Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr (D),
18th District (Part of Middlesex),
Email:  sendiegnan@njleg.org,
Tel: 908-757-1677

Gordon M. Johnson (D),
37th District (Part of Bergen),
Email:  sengordon@njleg.org,
Tel: 201-308-7060

Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr (R),
13th District (Part of Monmouth),
Email:  senoscanlon@njleg.org,
Tel: 732-444-1838

M. Teresa Ruiz (D),
29th District (Parts of Essex and Hudson),
Email:  senruiz@njleg.org,
Tel: 973-484-1000

Douglas J. Steinhardt (R),
23rd District (Parts of Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren),
Email:  sensteinhardt@njleg.org,
Tel: 908-835-0552

Michael L. Testa Jr (R),
1st District (All of Cape May and parts of Atlantic and Cumberland),
Email:  sentesta@njleg.org,
Tel:  609-778-2012

Andrew Zwicker (D),
16th District (Parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset),
Email:  senzwicker@njleg.org,
Tel:  908-308-8672

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

Eliana Pintor Marin (D),
29th District (Part of Essex), Chair,
Email:  aswpintormarin@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-589-0713

Benjie E. Wimberly (D),
35th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic), Vice-Chair,
Email:  asmwimberly@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-925-7061

Al Barlas (R),
40th District (Parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic),
Email:  asmbarlas@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-237-1362

Herb Conaway, Jr (D),
7th District (Part of Burlington),
Email:  asmconaway@njleg.org,
Tel:  856-461-3997

Aura K. Dunn (R),
25th District (Parts of Morris and Passaic),
Email:  aswdunn@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-206-1876

Roy Freiman (D),
16th District (Parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset),
Email:  asmfreiman@njleg.org,
Tel:  908-829-4191

Nancy F. Munoz (R),
21st District (Parts of Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union),
Email:  aswmunoz@njleg.org,
Tel:  908-918-0414

Carol A. Murphy (D),
7th District (Part of Burlington),
Email:  aswmurphy@njleg.org,
Tel:  856-242-2018

Ellen J. Park (D),
37th District (Part of Bergen),
Email:  aswpark@njleg.org,
Tel:  201-308-7062

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),
15th District (Parts of Hunterdon and Mercer),
Email:  aswreynoldsjackson@njleg.org,
Tel:  609-571-9638

Gabriel Rodriguez (D),
33rd District (Part of Hudson),
Email:  asmrodriguez@njleg.org,
Tel:  201-223-4247

Brian E. Rumpf (R),
9th District (Part of Ocean),
Email:  asmrumpf@njleg.org,
Tel:  609-693-6700

Gary S. Schaer (D),
36th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic),
Email:  asmschaer@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-249-3665

Gerry Scharfenberger (R),
13th District (Part of Monmouth),
Email:  asmscharfenberger@njleg.org,
Tel:  732-856-9294

Michael Venezia (D),
34th District (Part of Essex),
Email:  asmvenezia@njleg.org,
Tel:  973-450-0484

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Letter September 2024

Letter September 2024

Sep 30, 2024 | Announcement, From the Desk, News, Top

To my colleagues and friends: 

As I approach my 50th year working under the recommendations and mandates of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; as amended I feel the need to reflect on my service to ensure that people with disabilities were able to realize career dreams, enjoy the power to make informed choices about lifestyles and employment and to manage their lives independently under the mantra, “nothing about us without us”. 

I started my career working under Title I of the Act as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor crafting plans designed to lead to employment in jobs for which people with disabilities were eminently qualified. I moved on to manage the In-Service Training Program for the agency which not only renewed and replenished the skills of the VR Counselors, but we raised the education to a master’s level increasing the counseling staff skills to better serve the consumers. 

Moving on to the administrative level of DVRS I was able to affect policy and carry out programs through thoughtful funding and innovative programs that met the needs of an ever-evolving consumer population that demanded increased options and opportunities. My last 10 years with the agency were at the Executive level where I had the opportunity to see both sides of the organization and brought them together to best serve job seekers with disabilities. 

Finally, after leaving DVRS and joining the Independent Living movement I was able to revisit my enthusiasm about the excitement of seeing people with disabilities thrive in their communities. 

My goal for HIPCIL was always to strengthen services to the people of Hudson County and in the mid 1980’s I was able to convince the administration of DVRS to provide space in the Jersey City office to nurture a satellite program. Our founder Eileen Goff was able to skillfully apply to the US Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and secure the federal funds for a free-standing agency, Our Hudson County Unit was successfully thriving on its own. 

I retired from DVRS and was invited to apply to take over from Eileen to be the President/CEO of this great agency. Having been born and raised in Hudson County I recognized the unique needs of its citizens with disabilities. The needs of the citizens of both Hudson and Bergen Counties were shifting amid changing economic and ethnic demographics and I knew that both counties would benefit by combining staff members with specific skill sets and talents to be useful in both communities. I am happy to report that we have made great strides in staffing and have increased our ability to expand services.   

Earlier this year I proposed a succession plan to the Board of Trustees to gradually include Marily Gonzalez our VP/COO in more activities in Bergen in anticipation for her to take the reins and lead HIPCIL as the President/CEO beginning 10-1-2024. We will continue to maintain our presence in both counties. 

My transition will be to offer my services as a consultant.  As I reflect on a long and satisfying career in public service and the nonprofit world I plan to focus on my continued interest in disability services, policy and advocacy, age-friendly initiatives and college options for people with developmental disabilities though community college programs.  

While I can proudly look back on a fulfilling career, I will also anticipate the great things to come. Thank you for all the work that you do every day. 

 Sincerely,  

Brian Fitzgibbons 

Brian

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Letter October 2022

Letter October 2022

Oct 20, 2022 | From the Desk

Every now and then I will lend my column to a member of the staff so that they can share their views.

Brian.

 

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

By Jesse Schwartzman.

This month we celebrate October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM was declared by Congress in 1988 to spread awareness and the contributions of people with disabilities while at work. People in the disability community want to work and are ready to work now more than ever with small businesses, corporations, and our own government looking to hire workers. Work should always include equal pay for equal work.

I am glad this month is here to bring awareness because there is still so much that needs to be done in NJ and across the country. As reported on page 12 of Advancing New Jersey’s Employment First Report, of the individuals receiving day and employment services from DDD,only 14% are in integrated employment services, which is the eighth lowest in the nation. Competitive integrated employment (CIE) is having people with disabilities earn the same pay as others without disabilities. It means those with disabilities can work where people without disabilities work. Across the country, the employment rate for adults with disabilities over the age of 25 is bleak. Among the population ages 25 to 54, around 36% of people with a disability were in the workforce, compared to 80% of those without a disability. For workers ages 65 and older, 7.3% with a disability were in the workforce, compared to 21.7% without a disability.

Since the onset of the pandemic, now hiring signs are present at most businesses, and corporations are now not only making commercials to get consumers to buy their products, but they are also attempting to get consumers to work for them. According to a survey of 1,100 businesses by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Voices, 90% of businesses that are hiring are finding it difficult to recruit qualified candidates for open positions. In March, employers advertised a record 11.5 million job openings. The United States now has two job openings for every unemployed person. The business community at large needs to work with the disability community so more job openings can be filled by individuals with disabilities.Common misconceptions such as believing every person with a disability needs a workplace accommodation, are false. According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study, only 14.5 employees with disabilities request workplace accommodations. According to that same study, companies with the most inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities experienced nearly 30% higher revenues and greater economic profits.

In NJ work is being done to get more people with disabilities jobs. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, has signed four bills that should improve the employment rate for people with disabilities in NJ. S3455 Revises eligibility requirements for NJ Workability Program and Personal Assistance Services Program. This means individuals with disabilities on Medicaid can continue to receive services while starting or continuing to work without an income cap or age cap. Bill S1937 signed by the Governor in 2021 establishes a task force to promote employment by state agencies for people with disabilities, Bill A5294 signed by the Governor this year, provides fast-track hiring and advancement employment opportunities by the state for persons with significant disabilities. Lastly, Bill A5296 signed by the Governor this year provides for employment by the state of certain persons with disabilities. All four have yet to be implemented and we hope that Governor Murphy’s administration gets to work on the legislation. This month we honor our Disability Employers, employees, and the Future of work for people with Disabilities there is so much more to be done.

Jesse

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Letter July 2022

Letter July 2022

Jul 5, 2022 | From the Desk

Sometimes things are happening so fast that there is scarcely enough time to stop to tell everyone about what we have been doing at hip.

We spent the spring taking advantage of the relaxed social distancing and mask rules and we participated in several events where we had the opportunity to great current and future consumers.

Twelve hip members joined the group at the Bassmaster’s Tournament where we enjoyed a beautiful day at Darlington Lake. Longtime hip member Bo-jean Heap received a trophy for catching the smallest fish and the award was much bigger than the fish. It was a fun event, and everyone agreed that it was good to get together in the fresh air.

The Home Humpday Happening gang gathered for a reunion dinner hosted by Trish Carney. After many months of Zoom contact, they were all happy to meet and share new ideas for new games and craft sessions in person.

hip staffers brought out the agency display for the Bergen County Caregiver Fair, the Hudson County Community Services Fair and the Senior Elder Abuse Prevention Walk. I even had the chance to participate on a panel for the Community Health Law Project where I saw many old friends and talked about Centers for Independent Living throughout the state.

Our latest agency initiative is the realization of a way to assist people with much needed medical equipment. We rented two storage units in Jersey City and Hackensack and are accepting donations and distributing gently used medical equipment for those who need it. And, as a first for our agency we purchased a van to collect and transport the equipment!

We will have more to tell you in the upcoming newsletter, so for now, enjoy the summer and watch for the calendar raffle on Wednesdays.

Brian

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Letter October 2021

Letter October 2021

Oct 15, 2021 | From the Desk

From the Desk of the President:

Usually, I write these pieces from my desk at the hip Hackensack offices but today I’m seated at the Rodda Center in Teaneck having just received my Pfizer booster shot. This was a slightly different experience than when I got the original vaccination. I was able to get an appointment easily, there were no lines and there were only about 15 people sitting with me in the recovery area. While I’m guessing that this is a tribute to the efficient scheduling of the Holy Name medical center staff, I am hoping that people aren’t reluctant to get this third shot. The scientific data supports this third dose because it will strengthen the vaccine’s power to protect us from the worst of COVID-19.

As part of the HHS Administration of Community Living (ACL) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s partnership, hip staff in both offices are available to offer assistance with making appointments and can even arrange for transportation to a site. So, if you’re still undecided about getting the initial vaccines or aren’t sure where to go for the booster please call either office or contact us on this website and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Take care,

Brian

 

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Letter July 2021

Letter July 2021

Jul 13, 2021 | From the Desk

During these past 16 months of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic we have become very conscious of milestones and anniversaries. The country is currently inching toward the 70% mark for vaccinations by making them available at many convenient locations. The hip staff continues to help consumers make informed decisions about the vaccine and collaborating with our state and county partners.

July 13 marks the first anniversary of our partial return to the office. We worked remotely from the beginning of the shutdown but as restrictions began to be lifted, we had the office deep cleaned, sanitized and outfitted with plexiglass shields to maintain appropriate social distancing. All of us are well equipped with PPE and various cleaning supplies for our individual use. We have developed a schedule where we split the staff into two shifts working two days in the office and two days remotely with Friday as a clean-up and meeting day. We are still not seeing people in the office or making home visits, but we are doing our best to stay in contact with all of the consumers. We have established dedicated hot lines in both offices. Our current plan is to continue with our split sessions until the end of August and gradually increase office time through September with a full opening October 1.

I cannot discuss dates without commemorating the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26. We have come a long way by promoting universal design, enhancing equity in public education and continuing our advocacy for equality in all areas of the American experience.

For the future we need to remain aware of the importance of this legislation and to be sure that its intent remains prominent in the conversations on inclusion, equal rights and diversity.

Sincerely,

Brian

 

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