The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project is a unique program designed to assist individuals in adjusting to the loss of vision, through one-on-one direct assistance as well as involvement in peer support groups.

Groups address issues and concerns of people with vision loss, and through the sharing of their experiences, members provide support to one another.

hip‘s community education recreation program provides individuals, who have physical and sensory disabilities, the opportunity to focus on daily living skills, community awareness, self-determination, leisure and social skill building activities. These activities provide opportunities for community engagement, socialization, peer support, education and/or information about community resources. The program will not only increase community participation but allow individuals to enjoy full community inclusion.

CILS provides ongoing care management services for Hudson County residents. The goal of the program is to assist individuals with physical, sensory, developmental, mental health and multiple disabilities to remain in the community and maintain an optimal level of independent living. Although the primary focus is individuals between the ages of 18-59, those beyond this age range who do not qualify for existing services may also be assisted. The case manager works with consumers to assess needs and coordinate community-based services such as home healthcare, financial benefits programs and linkage to all essential services.

hip’s Support Coordinator assists DDD-eligible Hudson County residents and their family/support team in assessing their needs and developing an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) to access community-based programs and services. The Support Coordinators locate, link, coordinate and monitor the supports and services on an ongoing basis to ensure that all necessary services remain in place to enable the individual to achieve their desired outcomes.

It’s All About Work is a program developed by the New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living in partnership with New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS). Through a series of course offerings provided at high schools, transition-aged students begin to explore their career preferences related to interests and abilities, learn about the adult service system and skills needed for independent living and identify their life goals, particularly those related to work. At the conclusion of the course, students are eligible for individualized employment-related services through DVRS. Another component of the program works with adults referred by DVRS who benefit from instruction on enhancing their job readiness skills.

hip offers the following peer support groups:

• Secaucus Low Vision Group meets the first Thursday of each month from 10 am – noon at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Center, 1379 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094.
• Jersey City Low Vision Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Hudson hip office, 35 Journal Square, Suite 703, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

State-wide Peer Conference Phone Support Groups

Ages 18 – 30 will meet the first Thursday evening of each month at 7 pm.

Ages 31-50 will meet the second Tuesday evening of each month 7 pm.

Conference lines will be given to all who are participating.

The Special Assistance for Independent Living (SAIL) programs provides financial assistance (full or partial) toward the purchase of medical devices, assistive technology items, or other equipment in order to enhance an individual’s ability to live more independently. Hudson County residents, ages 4 and older, can receive funding to assist with the purchase of items such as wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, low vision aids, air conditioners (for specific disabilities), automobile modification, bathroom safety equipment, and medical alert systems, as well as ramps and other home modifications. The SAIL program will also provide a one-time annual purchase of $250, toward the purchase of incontinent supplies, for individuals in need.  SAIL can assist individuals who have no other resources to cover the cost of the requested item.

hip‘s new Transition Case Management Program will serve Hudson County residents ages 18 through 24, who require both short-term and long-term services. The primary focus of the program is to address the issues that prevent many young individuals from leading a self-directed lifestyle. Our case manager will assist young adults and their families to access available community services, financial entitlement programs, and employment/ vocational programs successfully. This program will enable young adults with disabilities to optimize control over their lives, transition into adult services and increase their independent living skills.

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund is a state-funded case management program which provides community services and support for New Jersey residents who have been affected by a traumatic brain injury. hip’s care managers work with individuals to assist them in utilizing available funding for various therapies as well as the purchase of equipment and other individual services.