Special Needs Resource Fair Helps Local Families

Parents, educators and caregivers of those with special needs recently attended a free Resource Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency. The event featured workshops, guest speakers and vendors designed to support families with special needs individuals of all ages.

“Through our work in the community, we have encountered many families who expressed a desire for an event which offered a variety of resources for those caring for special needs children and adults in one place,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “The feedback we received from our attendees and vendors will enable us to continue to offer access to the resources families need to make informed decisions about the health and welfare of the special needs individuals in their care. We are particularly grateful to all of the social service organization and healthcare providers who attended.”

Life Change Strategist, Coach and Motivational Speaker Diana Perez kicked off the event with an address about the importance of laughter and mindfulness. During the event, a panel of experts offered an extensive Question & Answer session to attendees; panelists included Tammy Miller, Hopatcong School District Child Study Team Director; Parent Advocate Kathy Nauta; Helen O’Shea, Special Child Health Services; Dale Phlegar, SCARC; and representatives from DAWN Center for Independent Living. Additional break-out sessions featured a discussion of respite services by Phlegar along with a presentation about the Educational Pathway by Miller.

Participants will be encouraged to visit with representatives from local businesses, schools and social service organizations including A Way to Freedom, Caring Partners, Care Management Organization; DAWN Center for Independent Living; Diana Perez; Equine Tranquility Wellness Center; Fairview Lake YMCA Camps; Family Intervention Services; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Hardyston SEPAG; Macaroni Kid Sussex; NAMI; New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; NJ SNAP Ed; NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services; Project Search; Project Self-Sufficiency; Regional Family Support Planning Council; SCARC, Inc.; SCARC Guardian Services; Shop Rite; Sussex County Community College, Learning at College Experience; Sussex County Education Services Commission; and Sussex County Special Child Health Services.

Project Self-Sufficiency has improved the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey for more than 30 years. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children through the achievement of personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families.

For more information about the free Special Needs Resource Fair, or to find out more about the programs and services offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.