The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Counties

04/25/2026

Self-Care Saturday! What's something kind you're doing for yourself today?

04/25/2026

Our book of the month is: H.O.P.E. Helping Other People Embrace the Butterfly Within- A mother's journey of love, loss, and disability.

When life throws unexpected challenges, where do you find the strength to keep going? In Helping Other People Embrace the Butterfly Within, Tina Runtak shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, faith, and transformation. Just as a caterpillar undergoes a silent struggle before emerging as a beautiful butterfly, Tina's story is one of profound change. Through every trial, she discovered that "HOPE" isn't just a word; it's a way of living that can carry you through the darkest seasons.

This book is a gentle companion for anyone seeking:
-Inspiration to face their own health battles with courage.
-Strength found through faith and a positive mindset.
-How to care for someone who is dying, especially a parent who is losing a child.
-Ways to help yourself while caregiving.
-Anyone who has a child or family member with a disability.
-Purpose in helping others, even while navigating personal pain.
-Helpful perspectives on grief and loss.

Discover how to embrace your own, "Butterfly Way" and find the light that never stops shining HERE: https://a.co/d/0ckBx73D

04/24/2026

The “Autism in My Shoes” Symposium is a free community event designed to raise awareness and provide resources for individuals and families impacted by Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This event will feature a resource fair, business vendors, and a panel discussion focused on sharing valuable information, services, and support available within our community.

Register HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScknzkmDjdPIEjqCcOg2cGXbaiNmpBD5B8RWBsUCc4FJ7AT5A/viewform

04/23/2026

Tuesday, April 29th – Assistance Animals in Housing: Navigating the Rights of People with Disabilities - Fair Housing Month

Join the NJ Division on Civil Rights for a FREE webinar from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. In New Jersey, housing providers are required to modify or make exceptions to their policies governing animals in order to accommodate people with disabilities. In this webinar, DCR representatives will clarify what the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination says about assistance animals, and answer some of the questions we frequently hear on this topic. Through case studies and discussion, participants will learn about their rights and obligations under the law regarding service and emotional support animals.

Register for the NJ DCR webinar HERE: https://njoag.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_xU3AozflRd6BplJ-5_8tag #/registration

04/23/2026

ABLE Today Opens New ASL Support for Deaf Community

ABLE today is excited to announce a partnership with Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) on a new inclusive tool that will significantly expand ABLE outreach to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) community through American Sign Language (ASL). D/HH community members can access the service by visiting ABLEtoday.org and clicking the “ASL Chat” box at the top right of the homepage. From there, users are directed to the CSD site, where they can connect with an operator trained to answer questions in ASL and provide resources for all ABLE programs.

For NJ residents interested in an ABLE account please visit NJ ABLE at https://savewithable.com/nj/home.html

Watch a quick video for a simple introduction to ABLE accounts and why they matter for people with disabilities and their families. It’s a short, easy-to-share reminder of how ABLE can support greater financial independence and help eligible individuals save for the future:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHAkGKQ-d-I

04/23/2026

The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is hosting an Aging and Disability Expo on April 25 from 10am-1pm at the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater located at 876 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807. There will be over 40 vendors ranging from housing, food insecurity, financial assistance, disability services, and more. This event is available for individuals who are 60 years and older, 18 years and older with a disability, and their families to stay connected in the community. Registration is encouraged and there is transportation available that day.

Register HERE:
https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/human-services/aging-disability-services

04/23/2026

https://newjersey.news12.com/nonprofit-helps-young-adults-with-special-needs-transition-from-high-school-to-higher-learning

For the first time, the ARC of New Jersey at the Monmouth County chapter in Tinton Falls will host a college fair this evening to help make those difficult and sometimes challenging decisions.

04/23/2026

We love to see more and more Police Departments signing on to the Blue Envelope Program!

The Ringwood Police Department is proud to offer the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative designed to support drivers with autism and other sensory needs during traffic stops.

The envelope provides a convenient place to store important driver documents and includes helpful guidance for both the driver and responding officer, promoting safer, clearer communication.

If you or a loved one would like to participate, please stop by Ringwood Police Department Headquarters to pick up a Blue Envelope at our front desk.

04/22/2026

Tuesday, May 5th – Tales from the Technical Assistance (TA) Line

Join the ADANN and the Northeast ADA Center's technical assistance team for a FREE webinar from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Attendees will learn about commonly asked questions and tricky technical assistance requests that they have received over the years. This webinar will feature a variety of ADA issues on topics from employment, to service animals, to education, to effective communication, accessible websites, and more. The team will share specific cases, the questions asked, and how the team responded. It's an opportunity to learn how to think through situations where the ADA is involved.

Register for the ADANN webinar HERE: https://events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11378/register

04/21/2026

04/17/2026

After the Sentence: Reentry Realities for People with IDD

"Transforming Systems: Strategies for Gender-Responsive Reentry and Crisis Response"

Join The Arc of New Jersey Criminal Justice Advocacy Program for a timely discussion on gender-responsive reentry and crisis response, with attention to the unique needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other often-overlooked populations. This webinar will explore strategies for building more equitable, person-centered systems for those navigating justice involvement, reentry, and crisis.

Register HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kxl3zA12TceZIIDYlToSiw #/registration

What You’ll Gain
· Insight into gender-responsive reentry strategies
· Practical approaches to crisis response and system coordination
· A deeper understanding of policy, advocacy, and lived experience integration
· Actionable ideas to support system transformation and community impact