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   *  What Every Family Needs to Know About Special Needs Trusts,

      Part 1 -Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

   *  Preventing Caregiver Burnout: How Special-Needs Families Can
      Protect Their Health Before Crisis Hits

      Tuesday, January 20th at 7:00 PM EST

 

   *  Who will Care for my Loved one when I am Gone?

         Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 6:30 PM 

 

 

   *  What Every Family Needs to Know About Special Needs Trusts,

      Part 2 -Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

   *  Thriving Together: A family's guide to navigating disability services

      Date: February to March 2026, from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

 

   *  Understanding Sibling Guardianship: Preparing for Your New

      Role as Your Parents Age - Wednesday, 2/11, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST

 

 

   Holding The Compass: A Family Guide To The Transition Years

       Step in or Step back 1/12/26 from 12 pm to 1 pm

       SSI, Medicade and Work 2/9/2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm

       Beyond Guardianship 3/9/2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm

 

   *  Maximizing Services Under the NJCAT

      Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

 

   *  Transition to Adult Services & Intake Process

       When: 2nd Thursday of each month Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

 

   Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Children and

       young Adults The 2nd Tuesday and Thursday of the month,

       7:30-8:30 pm 

 

   *  The ARC Calander of Events

 

   *  Get Free Digital Skills Training

 

 

What Every Family Needs to Know About Special Needs Trusts, Part 1

Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

This presentation will discuss what a Special Needs Trust is and how trusts aren't all the same. Attendees will understand the differences between each type of trust and the situations when each trust should be utilized to maximize the benefit for your child.

REGISTER

HERE

 

 

Preventing Caregiver Burnout:
How Special-Needs Families Can Protect Their Health Before Crisis Hits
Tuesday, January 20th at 7:00 PM
Caring for a loved one with special needs is an act of devotion—and without proactive self-care, caregivers can quickly move from compassion to exhaustion.
 
n this empowering webinar, Caregiver & Family Health Coach Drew Deraney will share practical strategies to prevent burnout before the warning signs appear. You’ll learn how to recognize early stress patterns, build sustainable daily routines, and strengthen resilience so you can show up with clarity, energy, and confidence for the ones who depend on you most.

 

 

Who will Care for my Loved one when I am Gone?

Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 6:30 PM 

 

Presenter:

Plan NJ

 

 

This workshop is designed to help families of individuals with significant disabilities understand the importance of planning for their loved one’s long-term support. Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of NJ (PLAN/NJ) will provide guidance on estate planning and strategies for ensuring lifelong care.

 

 

Register in advance for this meeting:

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

What Every Family Needs to Know About Special Needs Trusts, Part 2

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

This presentation will explain what families need to know about purchasing necessary items for their son/daughter with I/DD with money from the SNT. It will explore which types of expenditures are allowable, and which are not, in accordance with NJ Medicaid rules and regulations. The presentation will also explain the importance of keeping receipts for all expenditures from the SNT and what to do when the individual with I/DD needs an expensive item costing $5,000 or more.

REGISTER

HERE

 

Thriving Together: A family's guide to navigating disability services

February to March 2026, from6:30 - 8 p.m.

 

Join us for a virtual, five-part workshop series that brings together families and professionals to learn practical strategies for raising a child with a disability. Presented by PACER’s Health Information Center, each workshop will focus on one of five different themes: family experience, healthcare navigation, public benefits, school health, and community support. Attendance for all five workshops in the series is recommended but not required.

 

Register here for the Virtual workshops:

 

 

Understanding Sibling Guardianship: Preparing for Your New Role as Your Parents Age

 

Wednesday, February 11, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST

 

Siblings will often face the reality of becoming their brother or sister's guardian as our parents age and/or pass away. This can be a difficult transition, both for your parents and siblings, emotionally and legally. This webinar will guide you through what to expect and how to prepare, drawing on legal expertise and personal understanding of this journey. The webinar will cover the steps to take both before and after a guardianship transition occurs, including key legal procedures, court processes, ongoing responsibilities, and practical considerations to ensure your loved one continues to receive the care and support they deserve. You don't have to navigate this alone.

 

 

 

 

Holding The Compass: A Family Guide To The Transition Years

 

When your child with a disability approaches adulthood, your role as a parent or guardian shifts in new and sometimes unexpected ways. This six-part series is built to support families through the transition years with encouragement, actionable steps, and fresh ways to imagine what’s next. Sessions will help parents and guardians understand the adult service system in New Jersey, explore inclusive college options, balance advocacy with fostering independence, navigate SSI/Medicaid while supporting employment, and make informed choices about guardianship and alternatives. Just as importantly, you’ll learn how to prepare yourself emotionally and practically for the changes these years bring. Whether you’re just beginning to think about transition or already in the thick of it, this series will give you strategies and reassurance to move forward with confidence.

 

 

Step In or Step Back? - The Evolving Dynamics of School Partnerships - January 12, 2026 I 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm I Zoom - Register Here

 

SSI, Medicaid, and Work: Setting Your Child up for Employment Success - February 9, 2026 I 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm  Zoom - Register Here

 

 

Beyond Guardianship - Exploring Decision-Making Options at 18 - March 9, 2026 I 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm I Zoom - Register Here

 

 

 

Maximizing Services Under the NJCAT

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

 

The NJCAT is a tool used by DDD to determine eligibility for adult services. It is also

used to determine the intensity of an individual’s needs and their annual budget amount.

The tier also determines the provider reimbursement rate for that individual for many DDD services. Through the NJCAT, DDD assigns each individual to a level of “acuity.” The greater the level of acuity, the higher the budget for services. In this workshop, parents will learn about the NJCAT and the vital importance of completing it in a way that accurately reflects an individual’s true level of independence. The 90-minute presentation includes time for Q&A.

 

REGISTER HERE

 

 

Transition to Adult Services & Intake Process
Date: 2nd Thursday of each month
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
You will learn:
 
  • Transition Preparation: Steps to take as you or your loved one approaches the transition from the school system to accessing services through DDD.
  • Eligibility Criteria: An overview of the requirements to be determined eligible for DDD services.
  • Intake Process: Guidance on completing the application, submitting required documentation, and completing the NJCAT assessment.
  • Interactive Q&A:  Opportunity for questions to be answered.
 
Please register at the links below:
 
 This webinar is a valuable resource whether you are just beginning the transition process or are already navigating the intake process. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the insights and answers you need to ensure a smooth transition.
 
Don’t forget to join our Transition Listserv so you never miss an event!

 

 

Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Children and young Adults 

        The 2nd Tuesday and Thursday of the month, 7:30-8:30 pm

 

The group meets virtually the 2nd Tuesday and Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm. It is facilitated by Lauren Lavelle, a parent coach and professional in the field of disabilities. Parenting a child or youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities presents unique challenges as well as many joys. The group offers emotional support and resources as you share your experiences with other parents/caregivers.

Register Here

  

 

The ARC Calander of Events

 

These calendars highlight activities that could assist you in various areas.   You can view current or upcoming month's activities.

Click here to reach the calander

  

 

Get Free Digital Skills Training

 

AT&T, The Arc, and The Arc San Francisco have teamed up to produce digital skills training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Workshops are available in person in 26 regions and online nationwide. Training covers getting started with computers and mobile devices, navigating websites and search engines, online safety, and more.

 

Click Here 

To Get Started