State & National

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

• The State of New Jersey Department of Special Education 
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
  Provides services to qualified individuals with disabilities, such as Medicaid, family support and respite (caretaking) resources and trainings
• New Jersey Children’s System of Care via PerformCare
  The Children’s System of Care (part of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families) can help eligible families access no-cost services and support for their child that go beyond what is available during the school day. Learn more about how it works with SEPAC SOMA’s PerformCare Fact Sheet from our January 2022 meeting.
• Parental Rights in Special Education 
  P.R.I.S.E. is a NJDOE-provided document that describes the state and federal laws affecting the provision of special education to help you understand your rights in the special education process.

NEW JERSEY ORGANIZATIONS

• The Arc of Essex County
  Provides community-based programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities from birth to senior years.
• The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute
  Provides families with the necessary resources and education to access the appropriate supports and services for their loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD).
• The Statewide Parents Advocacy Network (SPAN)
  Strives to empower families as advocates and partners in improving education, health/mental health and human services outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, youth and young adults.
• New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
  Provides a platform for individuals, family members, advocates, and public and private agencies to develop a coordinated social policy for advancing the rights and opportunities of New Jersey residents with developmental disabilities.
• Autism New Jersey (NJ COSAC)
• Aspen – Aspergers Syndrome Education Network
• The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Understood
  Understood’s mission is “to help those who learn and think differently discover their potentials, take control, find community, and stay on positive paths along each stage of life’s journey.”
• ADDitude
  Focuses on the impact of ADHD (and co-occurring issues) for all ages.
• CHADD
  National organization that provides support, education and encouragement for children and adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  Organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, including disabilities; 17 divisions for specialized information; special education publications, conferences and conventions.
• Center for Parent Information & Resources
  National organization with disability information for all ages; resource information, publications; resources to help locate organizations and agencies that address disability-related issues; IDEA and No Child Left Behind information, as related to children with disabilities; research-based information on effective educational practices.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
• Wrightslaw
  Leading website about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
• Education Law Center 
  In particular the publication on “The Right to Special Education in New Jersey: a Guide for Advocates”, second edition 2008 (English / Español) 
• ADHD and 504s
  A 2016 letter from the USDOE Office of Civil Rights clarifying new guidelines for 504s for ADHD, with good general 504 guidelines as well.