Special Needs Resource Fair Planned

Parents, educators and caregivers of those with special needs are invited to attend a free Resource Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, November 2nd, 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event will address the needs of individuals with special needs from infancy through adulthood. Workshops, seminars, guest speakers and activities for children will be available to participants. A light lunch and childcare will be provided. Attendance is free; advance registration is recommended for all attendees but required if childcare will be utilized. Registration is available on the Project Self-Sufficiency website or by calling 973-940-3500 or 844-804-3500. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

Haley McCracken discusses early childhood services at last year's Special Needs Resource Fair

Workshops at the Resource Fair, “Special Needs Across the Lifespan,” will address issues with behavior, school, nutrition, health and wellness, recreation and other topics throughout the life span of the special needs’ individual. A panel of experts will offer a Question & Answer session to attendees, including 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. During break-out sessions Phlegar will discuss respite services for caretakers of special needs individuals, Miller will give a presentation about the Educational Pathway, and Life Change Strategist, Coach and Motivational Speaker Diana Perez will address the importance of laughter and mindfulness.

“Through our work in the community we have encountered many families whose special needs children need support, not just during infancy, but through all stages of childhood, adolescence and adulthood,” noted Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “We hope that this Resource Fair will help parents, educators and caregivers to access the information they need to make informed decisions about the health and welfare of the special needs individuals in their care.”

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

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.

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