Spectrum of Options Seminar: Autism, Workability, Medicaid, and Social Security

As part of its annual free Spectrum of Options Seminar Series, The Children’s Institute will present “Workability, Medicaid and Social Security” on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The seminar will be held at The Children’s Institute’s Livingston Campus, 6 Regent St., Livingston, NJ.

At this seminar, attendees will learn about government programs for adults with developmental disabilities, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), and Medicaid including Workability and Waivers. Securing services after age 21 when the entitlement to special education ends, including day and residential services available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and programs offered though the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) will also be covered.

Paul Prior, Esq., who has spent his entire legal career representing people with disabilities, will present the seminar. As the younger brother of a man with autism, he has a life-long commitment to disability law. His legal work has focused on special education, guardianship, financial entitlements, and access to appropriate services. A substantial part of his practice is devoted to assisting families in estate and trust matters. He has successfully argued leading cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as other state and federal courts. He served as a federal monitor overseeing conditions at state-operated institutions. Mr. Prior holds a JD from Seton Hall University School of Law, and serves on the board of directors of The Arc of New Jersey and Autism New Jersey. Previously, he served on the Board of Special Olympics New Jersey and the Eden Foundation. He is a member of the Elder Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association. He writes and lectures frequently on topics concerning the law and disability as well as issues affecting siblings.

While the Spectrum of Options Seminar Series is free and open to the community, all those planning to attend must register by Monday, 1/15/16. Space is limited, so register soon. Interested parties may register online (www.tcischool.org/january20) by email (abeauchamp@tcischool.org), or by calling 973.509.3050 x401. This seminar is appropriate for parents and professionals.

This seminar is part of a series that will be presented throughout the year. Other seminars this year will include: “Managing Behaviors” on 3/16/16 and “Religious Communities, Autism, and Inclusion” on 4/26/16.

About The Children’s Institute (TCI)

For more than 50 years, TCI has been a pioneer in serving individuals with special learning needs. Today, TCI includes two non-profit schools, approved by the New Jersey State Board of Education, which serve children from ages 3-21 on the autism spectrum and with related disabilities, and The Center for Independence, a program for adults over 21, approved by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities and the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. TCI believes the disability does not define the individual, and is committed to developing the academic, social, behavioral, communication, life and career skills of children, young adults, and adults on the autism spectrum.