Our Proudest Achievements…
• The Bergen and Hudson CILs provided information and services to 919 consumers, family members, friends and professionals. Although the vast majority resided in Bergen and Hudson Counties, individuals from all areas of New Jersey benefited as well.
• With funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, hip launched the COVID-19 Community Response Program to address food insecurities, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and emergency rental and utilities assistance, and purchase medical and non-medical devices and technology to assist consumers to access or reconnect with services and supports they needed to remain safely in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds provided rental assistance to 8 families who had lost income due to COVID-19 job closings and utilities assistance for 9 families. Tablets and other technology devices were purchased which enabled 12 consumers to participate in virtual classes and Zoom activities and remain connected to the community. 52 consumers received funding for assistive devices and equipment including blood pressure monitors to enable them to practice telemedicine, air conditioners to make their living environments more comfortable as they spent so much time at home, microwave ovens to reheat weekly Meals on Wheels deliveries, and the construction of a ramp at the home of an individual who became an amputee as a result of COVID-19 complications. 56 individuals/families who were experiencing food insecurity received ShopRite gift cards or food deliveries. Consumers also received masks and gloves as well as hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.
• The Bergen and Hudson CILs partnered with the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide Support Coordination services. Support Coordinators worked with 133 consumers to assist them in accessing community-based supports and services to enhance their independent living. Efforts were directed in such areas as identifying appropriate programs and providers, facilitating socialization skills and building life experiences with the ultimate goal of securing employment.
• Rehabilitation Technology funding enabled 124 individuals to receive disability-related equipment. Home modifications that increased safety and access in home environments were funded for 23 individuals.
• The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project Peer Support Groups gained many new members this year. In-person groups met monthly in Fort Lee, North Arlington, Washington Township, Jersey City and Secaucus, and then met remotely several times each month after COVID-19 hit. Consumers met to talk with one another to gain emotional support, exchange helpful information, and learn practical solutions to many new challenges, including social distancing. Many consumers have taken the opportunity to learn more about technology in this new virtual era. Consumers also had the opportunity to partake in informative presentations made by professionals in the field offering more knowledge to assist with learning how to live in our “new normal.” Two telephone support groups, with participants from all regions of the state, continued to meet and expand on a biweekly basis. One group is for young adults under 30 and the other is for individuals over the age of 30.
• Care Management programs in both CILs provided assessments and linkages to financial benefits and community-based services such as Food Stamps, prescription assistance, Meals on Wheels, Medicaid and many other resources which enabled 153 individuals to live independently in the community.
• hip also provided case management services through the statewide Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. This Fund, which receives its revenue from a $.50 surcharge on motor vehicle registrations, purchases services and supports to enable individuals who have been impacted by a traumatic brain injury to live independently in the community.
• The Youth Transition Case Management Program in Hudson County provided individuals age 16 through 24 both short-term and long-term services in order to remain in the community, increase their independence and successfully access adult services. This year 42 individuals and their families received services. The program provided information, resources, advocacy and support to enable young adults with disabilities to optimize control over their lives and increase their knowledge and skills.
• The Hudson CIL staff conducted 2 parent workshops and participated in 2 transition fairs for high school students and parents in Hudson County. Youth transition workshops were provided to approximately 40 students and parents in English and Spanish. Although the pandemic impacted service delivery, hip staff continued to outreach to all high schools in an effort to provide information and link students and parents to available supports and post-secondary educational services.
• The Hispanic Outreach Project provided all independent living skills to the Spanish-speaking community through the efforts of bilingual staff. Linking consumers to financial benefits such as medical/prescription coverage and providing assistance in preparing for re-certification for housing and/or Food Stamps were frequently requested services.
• The Creating Livable Accessible Spaces and Solutions (CLASS) Project, funded by the Bergen County Division of Community Development, collaborated with the 5 Age Friendly Bergen County towns to offer independent living skills assessments to facilitate the ability of seniors to remain in their homes.
• A grant program funded by the Polio Network of New Jersey continued to be available to assist individuals throughout the state who have been affected by post-polio syndrome. Financial assistance can be provided for home modifications that enhance accessibility as well as the purchase of mobility aids.
• Braille by Multimedia Transcription Service continued to convert elementary, high school and college-level textbooks and exams into braille format, giving countless students across the country the ability to be on the same “page” as their sighted peers. While this year was certainly unique as many students were learning remotely rather than physically in the classroom, Braille by MTS worked hard from home and later in the year back in the office to provide the braille books requested by schools. Everyone at MTS is looking forward to working on projects for the community once again as soon as community activities such as theatre performances and museum visits can safely resume.
• hip conducted 357 Access Link eligibility interviews during this fiscal year. This NJ Transit program was established to provide public transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to use the fixed route bus services.
• The Eileen Goff Legacy Fund as well as Our New Journey are programs funded exclusively through private donations. The Eileen Goff Legacy Fund provides financial assistance to individuals and families with compelling needs when one-time support can make a difference in their lives and no other funding is available. This year, the Eileen Goff Legacy Fund provided funding for assistance towards food, repair of a wheelchair-accessible van, and the purchase of a prosthetic leg. Our New Journey offered assistance and encouragement to families faced with the onset of illness or disability by providing caregiver peer-to-peer support, individual guidance directed toward the understanding of personal needs and limited financial support for direct care assistance.
• Empowering Women, a peer support group for women with disabilities, played an important role for many women who benefited by sharing successes and challenges. This group, which has grown over the past year, met monthly to exchange helpful information and socialize until the COVID-19 pandemic began. Group activities included Arts and Crafts such as pottery painting and chocolate making. The women enjoyed a healthy luncheon and learned a few new recipes. The group took advantage of talks about financial planning, healthy lifestyles and alternatives to domestic violence.
• Continuing this year until the COVID-19 pandemic began was a partnership that hip formed with the bergenPAC in Englewood. Through their Arts Access Program, hip members received approximately 145 free tickets to many diverse performances, including American Pop, The Nutcracker and Deepak Chopra. We look forward to re-starting this program once restrictions are lifted and bergenPAC can welcome audiences again.
• The 2019 holiday season was brightened for many consumers due to hip’s affiliation with the generous parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church in River Edge and the individuals in the community who participated in the Volunteer Center of Bergen County’s “All Wrapped Up” holiday gift-giving program. These wonderful people enabled hip to distribute hundreds of gifts and thousands of dollars in gift cards to individuals and families who otherwise would not have had a holiday celebration.
• The Holiday Party was enjoyed by both Bergen and Hudson consumers, families and friends. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all other in-person leisure activities, including the Summer Picnic, were cancelled in this reporting year.
• hip continued to be a host site for the Easter Seals Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in which two participants worked in the Bergen office. In addition, hip supervised a student intern from Ramapo College.
• Community Outreach – During the year all staff were called upon to represent the CIL in both counties at fairs, events and exhibits concerning senior services, care management and student transition. The President/CEO sits on The Bergen County Workforce Development Board (Executive and Abilities Committees), The Bergen County Human Services Advisory Council (Adult Services Committee), The Bergen County Division of Disabilities Advisory Committee, The Bergen County Elder Abuse Community Coordinated Response Team, and the Hackensack Area Chamber of Commerce. The Executive Director of Hudson hip sits on the Hudson County Human Services Advisory Council, the Project Search Committee and the Hudson County Office of Disability Services Advisory Committee.
