CREST HAVEN – The Regional Family Support Planning Council Spring Forum and Provider Fair will be held May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cape May County Special Services School, 148 Crest Haven Road, in Court House.
The event is being provided to assist parents or siblings of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities who need services and to provide access to information.
The forum will discuss the role of the Division for Disability Services (DDS) for individuals age 21 and over, Medicaid eligibility, how to register with the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for individuals up to age 21 to request services, and to meet with service providers. Food is provided with limited childcare available for children, ages 3 through 9.
“What we’re trying to accomplish here is to get as many people aware of the forum as possible to get as large a turnout as possible,” said John Fulton, school district case manager.
“The county needs more state-wide recognition in regard to the actual number of people with severe disabilities in our area, which is currently underrepresented. We are in need of additional funding and services in order to meet the needs of our disabled community, and we need to increase the awareness within the community so that persons needing assistance can be accurately accounted,” he added.
Cape May County Special Services School District is committed to providing effective educational programs that meet the unique social, emotional, physical, intellectual and career needs of students with special needs. Fulton said attendance at the forum is critical in order to validate the increased number of disabled persons needing assistance, which is significantly higher than what the state currently credits the county for.
Anne Borger, Regional Family Support Planning Council chair for Council Challenges Cape May County, said there will be speakers from the state to guide families through the eligibility process for individuals with disabilities.
“We need to inform more families, because that is one of our primary purposes as a council,” said Borger. “It’s imperative that we get the word out about changes with DCF and DDD. Our goal is to advocate and collaborate.”
Borger also said that the council aims to liaison for families to come together at the local and state level on items that impact their daily lives and that a strong forum attendance will provide multiple benefits to families in need of services in Cape May County.
“It’s very important for families to come out to the forum, because they may not know how to navigate the system,” said Borger. “People coming from the state level will see what the value and needs are for Cape May County and assist families in understanding and determining eligibility for services.”
For information, contact Borger by email at rfspc10@yahoo.com or Fulton at jfulton@cmcspecialservices.org, or call 465-2724 ext. 4422, or see the district’s website at www.cmcspecialservices.org.
To contact Jorena Faulkner, email jfaulkner@cmcherald.com.
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