April 2015

New Horizons

Housing That Supports Independence

Bringing the ABLE Accounts to NJ… First Steps Taken Norman A. Smith Editor Judith A. Wilkinson Co-Editor

Lampitt, Greenwald, Vainieri Huttle & Benson Bill to Create Tax-Free Savings Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Advanced by Assembly Panel Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Pamela Lampitt, Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Daniel Benson, and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities was approved by an Assembly panel on Thursday.

Tim Doherty

Executive Director Norman A. Smith

Associate Executive Director Stephen J. Schaefer

Chief Financial Officer Tracee Battis

Director of Housing Development Robbinsville

Betty Maxwell

Housing Coordinator Hamilton

Vivian Lavelle

Social Services Coordinator Dara Johnston

Office Manager Lawrence

Jackie Elsowiny

Social Services Coordinator JoAnne Sherry

Office Manager Freedom Village at Woodstown Sammi DeMaris

Social Services Coordinator Arlene Sims

Office Manager Freedom Village at Hopewell Cecilia Funk

Social Services Coordinator Jennifer Applegate

Office Manager

The bill (A-3956) would establish a program within the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities known as ABLE - Achieving a Better Life Experience - in accordance with the federal "Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014," which was signed into law by President Obama in December 2014. "The ABLE Act provides individuals with disabilities the same types of flexible savings tools that many people have through college savings accounts, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts," said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). "This was a laudable move on the part of the federal government and one New Jersey is proud to join." "The goal of this law is to ease the financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover many day-to-day expenses," said Lampitt (D-Camden/ Burlington). "This is an important tool to help provide financial security throughout their lives." "This new law will allow people with disabilities to open specialized accounts where they can save up to $100,000 without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government programs," said Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington). "Even more importantly, individuals can keep their Medicaid coverage no matter how much money they accrue in an ABLE account." To be eligible, individuals must have a condition that occurred before age 26 and each person may only open one ABLE account. As set forth in the federal law, qualifying disability expenses would include expenses made for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including: · education expenses; housing and transportation expenses; employment training and support expenses; health, prevention, and wellness expenses; assistive technology and personal support service expenses; miscellaneous expenses such as expenses for financial management and administrative services, legal fees, oversight and monitoring, and funeral and burial; and other expenses which are approved by the Secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. "An ABLE account can go a long way in helping individuals fund a variety of essential expenses, such as medical and dental care, education, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation," said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). "For those who may not be able to work full-time or at all, this savings tool is crucial to improving their quality of life." The ABLE program would be operated as a trust through the use of accounts for designated beneficiaries. Opening an account would require: completing an application in the prescribed form; making the minimum initial contribution required by the division; and demonstrating that the designated beneficiary is a New Jersey resident. (continued on back page)

A Publication of Project Freedom Inc. / Robbinsville, Hamilton, Lawrence , Woodstown and Hopewell Visit us on the web at: www.projectfreedom.org

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We are Proud to List Our Major 2014 Gala Sponsors Who Help Make Project Freedom’s Mission Possible 2014 Event Sponsors Costanza Builders V.J. Scozzari and Sons, Inc. 2014 Angel Sponsors Investors Bank Joseph F. McKernan Architects 2014 Patriot Sponsor Rotary Club of The Princeton Corridor TD Bank 2014 Freedom Sponsor Dumont & Watson First Commerce Bank Mohawk Carpet NJM Insurance Company

Thank You

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“My Two Cents” By Tim Doherty, Executive Director Usually, when the Supreme Court rules on any subject, it is the Final word on the subject. However, when it comes to the subject of affordable housing in the State of New Jersey, that may not be necessarily so. Here’s what I mean. Over the past three years or so, New Jersey has been in and out of court, getting rulings with regard to COAH third round rules, COAH Trust Funds, and even the existence of COAH itself. No big secret that Governor Christie has been trying to put COAH out of business since he was elected, and there have been various rulings over his tenure, in trying to nullify the housing requirements as set out in the Fair Housing Act which is enforced by COAH. So, when the COAH board didn’t vote to pass the proposed Third Round Rules, back in September and was held in contempt of Court, the Court finally ruled that it had no alternative but to place all affordable housing cases, back into the courts, where they were heard prior to the establishment of COAH in 1985. After a transition period of 90 days, the municipalities would have to petition the Superior Court to review their housing plan and give final approval of that plan, for the towns to get protection against builder’s lawsuits. The Supreme Court, which voted unanimously on this issue, determined that the COAH board was unable to function independently, and that they would not be able to administer their duties fairly, at this present time. The Court however did re-affirm, the obligation of each Town to bear its fair share of affordable housing, and therefore, left no doubt that Towns must have viable, housing plans which recognize their effort to plan and zone for affordable housing. Towns which did get COAH certification prior to all this litigation, can merely present their approved plans in court and they should be recognized by the court and then get approval. Those towns would continue to get protection from Builders’ Remedy Lawsuits, at least for the foreseeable future. Those towns without that certification must provide a plan, get it approved by their Town Council’s governing body and then present it in court for a hearing and ruling. This will take time and money to do. So, again, this is not something that Towns want to do and if they now had their wishes, probably would opt to having a functioning COAH agency to deal with once again. As a result, we believe that the action by the Supreme Court was probably taken in the belief that the Legislature should be doing something on this front to resolve this long standing debate. Certainly, the Court left open the option of the Legislature to amend the Fair Housing Act, which could alter the requirements of COAH. Or COAH could once again convene, and begin to do business as an active governing body, revise their rules and set those plans out for adoption; or they could do nothing and remand all these cases back into the courts for a decision—a very costly process. My guess is that there will be more litigation coming down the road, in spite of the Final Ruling. Stay tuned.

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From Norman’s Desk Readers are probably wondering why another front page article is talking about the ABLE Act again. Didn’t President Obama sign it into law a short while back? Yes, but the story continues. Each state legislature needs to pass legislation to be signed by their governor before people with disabilities in those states can utilize ABLE Accounts. Why? I don’t know, but my guess is that the legislation involves state taxes, the states’ funding of Medicaid, and some other stuff that “policy wonks” worry about. Thus, as I write this, people with disabilities in New Jersey cannot utilize these accounts. Virginia is actually the first state to authorize ABLE Accounts. Our front page article details efforts by a friend of Project Freedom, Assemblyman Dan Benson, and his colleagues to bring the ABLE Account to our state. I’m personally hoping that New Jersey will be the second state to get it done. I know that Dan is tired of my “tweets” Twitter exalting every piece of information on this topic and urging our entire legislature to get it done. But many lives of people with disabilities will be empowered to better lives through these accounts. When I was on SSI, I felt the program was designed to keep people from getting ahead. I remember complaining to my Dad about not being able to save for the future. I wanted to buy US Saving Bonds as a way of giving the taxpayers back their money until I needed it. ABLE Accounts will bring this about for may. So, the news story continues, and we will continue to cover as best we can. Switching topics, April brings about initial predictions about this year’s hurricane season. Yes, I know! We just got rid of the snow! Hurricanes? But it is not too early to start “Do-1-Thing” to prepare. April is food month, and Do-1-Thing says: “An emergency food supply doesn’t have to sit on a shelf, ready for disaster to strike (although it can). It can be part of the food you use every day. The key to a good food storage plan is to buy ahead of time. Replace items before they run out. Buy items when they are on sale. A large duffle bag or plastic tub with a lid makes a great storage place for an emergency food supply. Make sure your family, including pets, will have what they need when disaster strikes.” “Put aside a three-day supply of food for disasters. You probably have a better idea than anyone else how much food you and your family members would need for three days. Follow the BUS rule to help you. BUS stands for balance, usability, and shelf-life. 1. Balance: You may already buy food that provides a balanced diet for your family. A balanced diet includes a variety of foods from each of the basic food groups. This is especially important for people with certain health conditions. Also include high energy foods (such as nuts and protein bars) and comfort foods (such as graham crackers or chocolate). 2. Usability: Choose items that don’t need to be cooled, heated, or need a lot of water. Examples include canned or dried meat, dry cereal, and canned vegetables. Make sure you have a manual can opener if you plan to use canned goods. 3. Shelf Life: Look at the expiration date listed on the food item. Use and replace foods before the expiration date.” For more information go to www.Do1Thing.com/fooo Read next month’s column for the inevitable 2015 hurricane predictions! I know you all cannot wait! (Yawn!) Norman A. Smith, Associate Executive Director -

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Photos Shine Light On Need For Medicaid Waivers

Reprinted from February 23, 2015 / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS By Gracie Bonds Staples

Beate Sass photographs Diane Stewart caring for her son Aaron, 21, brushing his teeth at the family home in Milton, Ga. Sass uses photography to tell the stories of people with developmental disabilities in order to educate and build support for funding for support services. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS) Beate’s 23 year old daughter, Christine, has a disability as well. She attends The Community School in Decatur, Ga., and participates in its young-adults-intransition program. Happy. But Beate Sass knows her daughter might be vastly different had it not been for the army of friends and family who helped them navigate this life. And so the moment Sass completed the Partners and Policymaking training offered last spring by the Georgia service provider All About Developmental Disabilities, she knew what she had to do. “A lot of emphasis was placed on the importance of educating the public and Georgia policymakers about developmental disabilities,” Sass said. “I decided to focus on the importance of funding so persons with developmental disabilities can access services that will enable them to lead meaningful and productive lives.” Specifically, the Decatur photographer decided to advocate for badly needed Medicaid waivers, which provide funding for long-term care services in home and community-based settings. In Georgia, 98,000 people live with developmental disabilities. And although 7,400 of them are on waiting lists for a waiver, the state legislature last year approved money for only 400 new waivers. This year, Sass said, the Georgia Counsel for Developmental Disabilities will ask for funding to support 1,000 waivers. In addition, AADD is asking for increased funds for supported employment so that the 1,300 young adults aging out of high school this spring can secure jobs. “Without funding to support these young adults, often there is nothing meaningful for them to do,” Sass said. “They sit at home, become isolated, depressed and lose the precious skills they have worked so hard to achieve. It’s not unusual for a parent to have to quit their job to take care of them.” Sass knows because Christine has autism and cerebral palsy and because she has watched friends struggle to carve out meaningful lives for their children with disabilities. Until recently, caring for Christine required a lot of her attention and energy. Now that Christine has support, Sass has launched “Real Stories, Real People”, a website containing photo essays about individuals living with developmental disabilities and their families. “The photos depict lives well lived as a result of support through funding with a Medicaid waiver and lives that are devoid of meaning because they lack that support and funding,” Sass said. She hopes the photos will inspire legislators to increase funding. “Since most parents caring for a loved one with a developmental disability are too overwhelmed to meet with their legislators, I have chosen to be their voice and take their stories to the Capitol and to our communities,” Sass said. She plans to create a traveling exhibit and a publication that will be given to lawmakers and the public next year. The seed for the project was planted nearly five years ago when her family lived in Tallahassee, Fla. “I was already photographing people in my community and telling their stories but just didn’t know how to showcase the lives of those living with developmental disabilities.” Sass began recruiting families who wanted to share their stories. After a telephone conversation, she arranges an appointment to get to know them, their daily routine and the message they want to convey. Rebecca Fincher and her husband Bill of Johns Creek, Ga., were among the first to share a story about the daily struggles of raising a special needs child. “It’s like scheduling around a newborn or toddler that never grows up,” said Rebecca Fincher. “You have to plan and act on the needs of that person 24 hours a day.” At 22, John Fincher is the youngest of the couple’s three children. Last October, he aged out of high school without funding for a Medicaid waiver but was recently granted one. Without it, Fincher said he wouldn’t have much of a future and neither would she. Fincher feels luckier than most, but her personal and professional lives have suffered. “I’d love to work on a habitat house, routinely work out at the Y, travel with my husband but even a trip to the grocery store has to be scheduled and planned for,” she said. The public rarely sees the demands caregivers face, Sass said. They don’t see them feeding them, bathing them, lifting them. “That’s part of the personal story that they don’t share,” she said. “I hope the photo essays I have created will provide a better understanding of the unique challenges people with developmental disabilities and their families experience in their daily lives and why funding for support is critical.”

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On March 13th, Project Freedom and the tenants put together their annual St Patrick's Day dinner of Corn-beef and Cabbage. Bob Martin, Ruthann Lowery, Helen Vilardi and Dana Lyons put together a masterful meal, which served approximately 25 tenants. It's an event that the tenants look forward to every year with its party atmosphere and great social chatter.

Hamilton Happenings DATE

DAY

PROGRAM (in Community Room)

TIME

1-Apr

Wed

Hamilton Crafts - Easter Cards and Eggs

6:00 -8:00 PM

8-Apr

Wed

Hamilton Games

6:00 -8:00 PM

9-Apr

Thu

Hamilton/Lawrence Shopping

Bus Leaves PFI 10 AM

24-Apr

Fri

Hamilton Spring Crafts

6:00 -8:00 PM

30-Apr

Thu

Hamilton Crafts - Making "Chickies"

4:30 -7:30 PM

On March 11th, we had a drum circle group come into our Community Center, sponsored by the ARC Mercer. A group of our tenants participated with the percussion group and had a blast. There were many percussive instruments that the tenants got to try and the drummers were not only very talented, but were very playful with everyone's interpretation of the rhythms. The tenants came in asking for a repeat of this activity over the next months.

Hamilton Happenings

Hopewell “Bear Facts” DATE

DAY

PROGRAM (in Community Room)

TIME

17-Apr

Fri

Senior Care Hosting Grocery Bingo

3-4 PM

23-Apr

Thurs Hamilton YMCA hosting Disability Wellness Programs

3-5 PM

27-Apr

Mon

3-4 PM

TD Bank hosting Getting to Know Your Local Branch Services

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Robbinsville Events DATE

DAY

PROGRAM (in Community Room)

TIME

7-Apr

Tue

Robbinsville Karoke

6:30 -8:30 PM

13-Apr

Mon

Robbinsville Gardening & Board Games

6:00 -9:00 PM

16-Apr

Thu

Robbinsville Meditation

6:00 -7:00 PM

20-Apr

Mon

Robbinsville Games

6:30 -8:30 PM

22-Apr

Wed

Robbinsville Cooking - Sloppy Joes

5:00 -7:30 PM

Lawrence Goings On DATE

DAY

PROGRAM (in Community Room)

TIME

2-Apr

Thu

Lawrence Crafts - Easter Cards and Eggs

6:00 -8:00 PM

9-Apr

Thu

Hamilton/Lawrence Shopping

PFI 10:00 AM

9-Apr

Thu

Lawrence Games

6:00 -8:00 PM

23-Apr

Thu

Lawrence Gardening & Wii Games

6:00 -8:00 PM

28-Apr

Tue

Lawrence Baking with Dana

6:00 -8:30 PM

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April 4 Laurie Gallagher April 8 Norman A. Smith

April 17 Salvatore John Mollica April 18 Kathy Paris

April 10 Maria Azcona Tim Birk Kathy Fuchs

April 20 Timika Cheek

April 15 Megan Paris

April 22 Lillian “The Cake Lady” Totaro

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Pineapple Lush Dip Ingredients  1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding  1 can (20 oz.) DOLE Crushed Pineapple in Juice, undrained  1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping Directions  Add dry pudding mix to pineapple in medium bowl; whisk 2 min.  Stir in COOL WHIP Make ahead...Dip can be made ahead of time. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Super Easy Entertaining Treat

Serving Suggestion For a colorful presentation, serve with 12 vanilla wafers, 1 sliced fresh pear, 1 each sliced red and green apple, 1 cut-up banana, 1 sectioned orange or tangerine, 1/2 lb. seedless red grapes and 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds. Creative Leftovers Layer remaining dip with cut-up fresh fruit in a parfait glass. Or serve spooned over slices of pound cake.

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In Fight Over Service Dog, School Board Is Brought To Heel By Carol Marbin, Reprinted from The Miami Herald/ TNS / February 25, 2015

Stevie is a good dog. He doesn’t eat from the table or have accidents in the house. And he never pulls on his leash. The white-and-tan Staffordshire terrier also has a special talent: He alerts caregivers when his little boy, Anthony Merchante, is going to have a seizure or has trouble breathing. Anthony’s mother, Monica Alboniga, tried for two years to persuade the Broward County School Board in South Florida to permit Stevie, a trained service animal, to accompany the 7-year-old on campus. But school administrators repeatedly said Stevie didn’t belong at school. And they hoped that a Fort Lauderdale federal judge would agree with them. Anthony suffers from a host of serious disabilities: He has cerebral palsy, spastic paralysis, a seizure disorder, and he cannot speak. To get around, he depends on a wheelchair, to which Stevie is tethered most of the time. Alboniga, 37, who is raising her son alone, paid to obtain and train a dog up to the specifications of Assistance Dog International Standards, records say. Stevie can aid caregivers in a variety of ways: He can step onto Anthony’s wheelchair and lay across the boy’s lap; once there, the dog is trained to help stabilize Anthony’s head so his airway isn’t impeded. “Stevie was also trained to ‘tell’ or ‘alert’ human responders in the event that [Anthony] was experiencing a medical crisis,” Bloom wrote. The dog can jump on a sensor mat that activates an alarm, or bark to get the attention of caregivers. He also wears a red service dog vest that holds medical supplies, as well as detailed instructions on how to respond to medical emergencies. “Stevie lets me know when he has seizures or problems breathing. He pushes me toward Anthony. He barks,” Alboniga said. “When Anthony is having convulsions, he starts barking and goes looking for us. Then he goes back to Anthony and stays with him.” “While at school,” the judge wrote, “Stevie does not eat or drink. Nor does Stevie defecate or make stains, or require cleaning or exercise.” Alboniga, the judge said, “attends to Stevie’s daily feeding, cleaning and care needs.” But administrators continued to assert in the lawsuit that it was not the district’s responsibility to help the boy keep Stevie at school. Anthony’s “individual educational plan” — a detailed accounting of the school’s accommodations to the child — does not mention Anthony’s use of a service dog, Bloom wrote. Anthony found a friend in the U.S. Department of Justice. The department’s civil rights division enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation passed by Congress in 1990. Last month, the DOJ weighed in on the lawsuit, arguing that the school board “fundamentally misunderstands” ADA regulations, which require that “public entities generally must permit individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals.”

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April General Recreation Club Freedom Events Boldfaced and Highlighted DATE

DAY

PROGRAM

3-Apr

Fri

Good Friday - PF Offices Closed

5-Apr

Sun Happy Easter

6-Apr

Mon Day Program

7-Apr

Tue

8-Apr

Wed Equestrian Riding at Hopewell

Prog. Time Varies

9-Apr

Thu

Hamilton/Lawrence Shopping

Bus Leaves PFI 10:00 AM

10-Apr

Fri

Trenton Farmers' Market

Bus Leaves PFI 10:00 A

11-Apr

Sat

Aquatics Hamilton YMCA

Bus Leaves PFI 11:30 AM

13-Apr

Mon Day Program

14-Apr Tue

TIME

Prog. Time 10 AM-3 PM

Harrah's Casino - Chester, PA 5 Needed Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM

Camden Adventure Aquarium

Prog. Time 10 AM-3 PM Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM

15-Apr

Wed Equestrian Riding at Hopewell

Prog. Time Varies

16-Apr

Thu

Grocery Shopping - Shop Rite

Bus Leaves PFI 10:00 AM

18-Apr

Sat

Englishtown Flea Market - 5 Must Go

Bus Leaves PFI 9:00 AM

20-Apr

Mon Day Program

21-Apr Tue 22-Apr

Dine Out - Dinner - Country Buffet

Wed Equestrian Riding at Hopewell

Prog. Time 10 AM-3 PM Bus Leaves PFI 4:30 PM Prog. Time Varies

23-Apr Thu Columbus Farmers & Flea Market

Bus Leaves PFI 9:30 AM

25-Apr

Sat

Bus Leaves PFI 11:30 AM

27-Apr

Mon Day Program

Prog. Time 10 AM-3 PM

29-Apr

Wed Equestrian Riding at Hopewell

Prog. Time Varies

30-Apr

Thu

Bus Leaves PFI 10:00 AM

Aquatics Hamilton YMCA

Grocery Shopping - Shop Rite

Project Freedom Inc. 223 Hutchinson Road Robbinsville, NJ 08691

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Trenton, NJ Permit #1083 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Project Freedom Inc. is a 501 (c)(3 ) not for profit organization dedicated to developing, supporting and advocating opportunities for independent living for people with disabilities

Bringing the ABLE Accounts to NJ … First Steps Taken (continued from page 1)

Money paid into or out of an ABLE account for the purposes of financing the cost of qualified disability expenses would be exempt from state income taxation, certain federal taxes, and all claims of creditors of the contributor or the designated beneficiary. The funds would not jeopardize a beneficiary's eligibility for any other state or federal assistance and would be disregarded for the purposes of determining eligibility to receive any assistance or benefit authorized by state law. Anyone may contribute to the account. Contributions to accounts may be made only in cash. Contributors may withdraw all or part of the balance from an account on sixty days notice or a shorter period, as may be authorized by the division pursuant to regulations. A contributor who makes a withdrawal must provide written notice to the trustee and to the designated beneficiary. Additionally, a request for a qualified withdrawal may be made by an agent of the designated beneficiary who has power of attorney or by the designated beneficiary's legal guardian. Any state or local government agency or political subdivision would be permitted, by contract or collective bargaining agreement to agree with any employee to remit contributions to an ABLE account through payroll deductions. A designated beneficiary may, directly or indirectly, direct the investment of any contributions to the program, or any earnings thereon, no more than two times in any calendar year. The bill was approved by the Assembly Human Services Committee chaired by Vainieri Huttle.