families network

[Guest guest]

Hello Families Network! As you may know, we've been working with the NJ

Senate to get a hearing on the waiting list. We just heard that they may

have one on March 6th. We are considering doing an event at the State House

that day to highlight the issue, but I wanted to first get a sense of who

would be able to be there that day to support us. If you will be able to be

there, please let me know by next Friday, February 8th, so we can plan

accordingly. Thanks!

I also want to remind you that today is the 10 year anniversary of the

release of the State's plan to eliminate the waiting list. We're trying to

get as many calls/emails/faxes into the Governor's office today as possible,

so please respond to this Action Alert if you haven't already done so. I've

been getting great feedback about the number of people who have already

called in, so let's keep up the momentum throughout the day! As a quick

note, some people had difficulties on the website when they didn't choose a

" subtopic " . To be safe, select " Affordable Housing " in the sub-topic

category if you are sending an email from the State's website.

Action Needed:

Please contact Governor Corzine's office TODAY and ask him to include the

10% Solution in his FY2009 State Budget.

If you want to call, the phone number is: 609-292-6000

If you want to send a fax, the fax number is: 609-292-3454

If you want to send an email, go to

http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html and fill out the form. Choose

" housing " as a topic, but leave the sub-topic blank. Just fill in your

personal information and type a short message. You can include " The Arc of

NJ " in the organization section, but you don't have to.

Talking points are included below.

If you are not a family member of an individual with a developmental

disability but still want to help, your message can be as simple as this:

" Dear Governor Corzine, my name is [iNSERT NAME]. I am a concerned citizen

and am worried that people with developmental disabilities are in crisis.

Please include The Arc of NJ's 10% Solution in your FY2009 State Budget

plan. Thank you. "

Please pass along this email to all your contacts in New Jersey and ask them

to join our efforts on this important issue!

Talking Points:

à My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am the parent/sibling/guardian of an

individual with a developmental disability. [iF YOUR LOVED ONE IS CURRENTLY

ON THE WAITING LIST, STATE THAT AND INDICATE HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN

WAITING]

à Ten years ago today, the New Jersey Department of Human Services,

Division of Developmental Disabilities released A Plan to Eliminate the

Waiting List for Community Residential Services by 2008.

à The report predicted that if the State did not act, the waiting

list for community residential services for people with developmental

disabilities would reach a little over 7,400. According to the Division of

Developmental Disabilities, we have surpassed that estimate and the waiting

list is currently just under 8,000.

à The need for community based housing opportunities for [NAME OF

LOVED ONE] and others with developmental disabilities is critical and is not

going to go away by ignoring the problem.

à Governor Corzine needs to commit to addressing this problem - not

next fiscal year or next month, but today. Families like mine can no longer

wait.

à We are tired of plans and promises. We need action!!

à We need funding in the FY2009 State Budget for The 10% Solution.

We Must End the Wait for NJ's Forgotten Families!

Thanks to all of you who have already responded to this important action

alert. As always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to

contact me.

Denbigh Dixon

Director, Family Advocacy Program

The Arc of New Jersey

985 Livingston Avenue

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

(732) 246-2525 ext.49

ddixon@...

www.arcfamilyadvocacy.org

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