About the 2023 NJ YTC
An annual conference for youth and young adults who experience an intellectual and / or developmental disability, their families and the professionals who serve them.
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This year's conference agenda is designed to provide attendees with a range of informative and engaging sessions on topics related to transitioning from the youth world of I/DD services into the adult world of disability services.
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It includes sessions on accessibility, employment, housing rights, self-advocacy, education, self-direction, navigating the disability systems and more.
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The conference features presentations from experts in the field, providing attendees with valuable insights and opportunities to learn from one another.
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Overall, this conference aims to empower and inspire people with disabilities and their allies by highlighting and providing the tools and resources they need to succeed in all areas of life.
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The 2023 NJ YTC will be held online with one Zoom link for ALL workshops.
There is no cost to attend!
2023 NJ YTC
Agenda
​Free swag bags with NJ YTC merch will be offered at surprise workshops!
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Check out "VIP with DDD" special consultations!
Use the same link for every workshop, every day!
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**All workshops will be recorded and posted on YouTube unless noted.**
Monday, October 16th
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening Keynote
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Presenter: Paul Aronsohn; New Jersey’s statewide Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families
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10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NJ Department of Education
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Presenter: Bill Freeman; State Coordinator of Secondary Transition, Office of Special Education, The New Jersey Department of Education
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Title: Transition from School to Adult Life: Regulations and Best Practices
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Description: This training provides attendees with a detailed description of Federal and State requirements and best practices related to the transition from school to adult life for students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on how to prepare for the inclusion of appropriate transition planning in IEPs, and how to implement appropriate transition services including linkages and other interactions with other agencies. We will also review recent updates to the State model IEP form that relate to transition planning and the new State Transition Toolkit on the web. This session welcomes your questions and comments.
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities
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Presenter: Christina Gonzalez; Supervisor of Transition to Adult Services & Employment- Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities
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Title: Navigating the DDD Service System
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Description: This presentation will provide an overview of the DDD service system and the steps necessary to complete the eligibility requirements and intake process. Services available through the Community Care Program and Supports Program and information related to DDD's care management system (Support Coordination) will also be discussed.
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Disability Rights New Jersey- Richard West ATAC
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Presenters: Mike Marotta, Director; Naomi Leibowitz, AT Project Lead; Payton Williams, Assistive Technology Social Supports Specialist
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Title: Assistive Technology in the IEP Process Student Involvement
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Description: It is much more crucial that AT be considered and isn't just checked off on the IEP now that the student is 14 years old. Join us for this fast-paced, interactive session as The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (NJ's federally funded AT Act Project) aims to address your questions about how to properly consider AT for students and not just check it off a list so that students have success as they transition into college, employment, and outside life with the supports they require.
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6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Camden Partnership for Children and Camden County Family Support Organization
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Presenters: April DiPietro; Community Resource Director, Camden Partnership for Children and Audrey Mariani; Executive Director, Camden County FSO
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Title: NJ Dept. of Children and Families: The Children’s System of Care Eligibility and Functional Services Offered
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Description: Learn how to apply for I/DD eligibility under Children’s System of Care (CSOC) and what to expect from PerformCare and your local Care Management Organization (CMO). This informative workshop will answer key transition questions such as: What is DD eligibility? How can my child be found eligible? What is the difference between DD and DDD? What happens when my child ages out of PerformCare DD services?
Tuesday, October 17th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Tuesday Keynote Address
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Presenter: LeDerick Horne; author, speaker, poet, advocate (Recording will NOT be available)
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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Presenter: Joy Atin-Shark; Supervisor Statewide Transition, College and Deaf/Blind Services; Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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Title: 7 Secrets of CBVI
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Description:
This presentation will cover-
· An overview of CBVI,
· The services we provide to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and Deaf-blind,
· Pre-ETS services to students ages 14-21,
· And an overview of our VR services.
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Social Security Administration
Presenter: Marcial Hernandez Jr.; Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration
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Title: Overview of Social Security (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Online Services
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Description: The presentation will cover Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid, Auxiliary and Survivors benefits for the family. There will be an overview of the programs, along with their differences and how each program correlates to one another.
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
NJ Division of Vocation & Rehabilitation Services
Presenter: Toni Scott; Program Planning & Development Specialist- Youth Services, DVRS
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Title: 10 Things High School Students with Disabilities Need to Know About Vocational Rehabilitation
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Description: Starting early to prepare students for success in adult life is key! Students with disabilities aged 14 through 21 can now access needed services from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to help pave the way toward postsecondary success. This session will provide an overview of DVRS and Pre-Employment Transition Services, how to obtain these for students, and the agencies and local school’s role in making this happen.
Wednesday, October 18th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Wednesday Keynote Address
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Presenters: Mollie Greene; Assistant Commissioner for the Children’s System of Care (CSOC) in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Jonathan Seifried; Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities
Presenters: Courtney Davey, Office of Housing and Resource Development and Christina Gonzalez, Office of Transition to Adult Life and Employment
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Title: Coordinating Housing and Services for Division of Developmental Disabilities Recipients at a Glance
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Description: Participants in the session will learn about how the coordination of housing and services occur and considerations that should be made. Information provided will include an overview of services, person centered planning, housing opportunities, and eligibility requirements for the housing subsidy program.
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
NJ ABLE
Presenter: Cristine Chickadel; NJ ABLE Program Representative
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Title: Save Money while you Preserve SSI and Medicaid
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Description: The NJ Achieving a Better Life Experience (NJ ABLE) allows qualified individuals with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses in tax-advantaged savings accounts without losing eligibility for many means tested benefits. Informational seminar on ABLE accounts and the valuable benefits it has for those who are eligible.
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
PLAN/NJ
Presenter: Jason Miller; Director of Social Services, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of NJ
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Title: Person-Centered Life Planning: Who Will Care for My Loved One When I’m Gone?
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Description: This session will address future planning issues such as independent living supports; estate planning, legal and financial protections. Topics include how to implement a future life plan for people with disabilities, guardianship, Special Needs Trusts, home visit monitoring and advocacy. Handouts will be provided to families to highlight the topics of the session.
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6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Community Health Law Project
Presenter: Sean Benoit, Esquire
Title: Housing – Tenant’s Rights in New Jersey
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Description: This presentation will provide information regarding a tenant’s rights in New Jersey. It will include a discussion about leases, rent increases, tenant responsibilities, landlord responsibilities, and the eviction process. It will also include a discussion about the types of affordable housing that is available in New Jersey.
Thursday, October 19th
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Thursday Keynote Address
Presenter: Mercedes Witowksy; Executive Director, NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
DDD’s Office of Education on Self-Direction
Presenters: Patricia Brennan, MSW- Director of Office of Education on Self Directed Services, Waiting List, and Special Projects and Jessica Licona, MSW- Assistant Director of Office of Education on Self Directed Services, Waiting List, and Special Projects.
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Title: Overview of Self Directed Services
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Description: Understanding the option of Self-Direction as you enter the Adult Service System
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Values Into Action NJ
Presenters: Christina Rappisi, Director of Support Coordination and Marian Frattarola-Saulino, Executive Director
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Title: Group Homes and Day Programs- Are These the Only Options?
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Description: Join Values Into Action NJ to discover options that include a life outside of group homes and day programs. During this session, you will learn about the basics of support coordination. If you are interested in designing a life of your own choosing after high school or supporting students who aspire to, this is the presentation for you!
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Collaborative for Citizen Directed Supports NJ
Presenters: Anthony Vazquez, Self-Advocate Advisor and Amy N. Jedele, Project Director
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Title: Self-Direction and You: Finding Support Staff for Life After High School
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Description: Join The Collaborative NJ for an overview on how people, families and disability professionals come together in support of self-directed services in New Jersey. This informative webinar will also show you how to use the Interactive Map to find support staff in your area.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
Presenter: Frank Latham, Self-Advocacy Coordinator, Principal Presenter and other Self-Advocates; NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
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Title: Shared Supportive Decision Making: My Voice Count
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Description: This presentation will look at some of the options for supportive decision making and how self-advocates voices should be valued and heard.
Friday, October 20th
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The Arc of New Jersey
Presenter: Jerisa Maseko; Director of Planning for Adult Life, The Arc of New Jersey
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Title: Accessing Services And Natural Supports
Description: Everyone has a right to be involved in their community. There are many supports for people with disabilities to help them do just that. This workshop will discuss supports for accessing the community and will provide hands—on tools for helping students to obtain natural supports in the community. It will also include a discussion on how to navigate some of the challenges associated with accessing services.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rutgers Community Living Education Project (CLEP)
Presenters: Natalie Trump, BS; Program Director of Education and Training, Melanie McGackin; Training and Consultation Specialist, Ann Martinelli; MADS Training and Consultation Specialist, Mary Kneuer; Training and Consultation Specialist, and Maria Schiavello, BS; Training and Consultation Specialist
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Title: Rutgers Community Living Education Project (CLEP) Sharing Possibilities in Community Living (Recording will NOT be available)
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Description: This presentation will discuss how the Rutgers Community Living Education Project (CLEP) can assist you and your family in exploring various community living options. The CLEP team will also share their lived experiences in taking a person-centered approach to identifying supports and services in one’s community to create a full life. The CLEP team members will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions following their presentation.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network
Presenters: Dawn Monaco, Youth and Young Adults Program Director, SPAN and Jeannine H. Brinkley, Family and Professional Development Program Director, SPAN
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Title: New Jersey Inclusive Higher Education Options
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Description: Join us to learn about inclusive programs specifically for students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey. We will also share more general information about ways that students with disabilities can prepare for education after high school and resources for learning more.
Saturday, October 21st
10:00 AM - 2:45 PM
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Disability Rights New Jersey - Richard West ATAC
Presenters: Mike Marotta, Director; Naomi Leibowitz, AT Project Lead and Payton Williams – Assistive Technology Social Supports Specialist
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Title: Assistive Technology, Now What?
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Description: Now that you're on your own, do you have the resources you'll need to succeed? Do you realize that the equipment you already own could include everything you need to succeed? Are you able to independently investigate a required tool or where to look for tools?
In this talk, you'll discover how to use the tools you already have, look into new ones, and learn how to find the things you'll need for your adult life. These skills will help you make better technological decisions.
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11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Public Partnerships Group, LLC
Presenters: Pamela Brooks, PPL Sr, Account Manager and Herb Collman, PPL Account Manager
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Title: Be Empowered…Walking into Self Direction with PPL
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Description: Join this workshop to explore the benefits of self-direction under the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent model as administered by Public Partnerships. Find out what the steps are to enroll with Public Partnerships and be on your way to control who is providing you service, at what rate, and when!
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Easterseals
Presenter: Jocelyn Summers, Operations Manager Financial Management Services
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Title: Understanding Agency with Choice
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Description: During this session we will be taking a closer look at the Financial Management Services Agency with Choice program. Choosing a Fiscal Intermediary Model that suits the consumer and their families is extremely important and all options should be presented. By the end of this presentation, you will have a better understanding of the Agency with Choice program and the services we provide to the consumer, their families, and Self- Directed Employees.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network
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Presenters: Tammi Kaminski and Tara Szymanek are educators on the New Jersey Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) and Special Education Volunteer Advocates (SEVA) Projects at SPAN Parent Advocacy Network. They support families in ensuring that their child with a disability and/or special health care needs receives the appropriate supports and services for a productive life.
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Title: Supporting Youth in their IEP: A Path to Success
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Description: This session will review ways to support students who have IEPs by applying key strategies to promote self-advocacy from elementary school through transition to adulthood. There are small things that families and educators can do from the time children are young to build self-advocacy over time, so that when youth/young adults are ready to leave high school, they are ready to advocate for themselves in the community, at work and in postsecondary education.