Visit to Arc of Mercer County Health Care Center Highlights Availability of Community-based Services
鈥淕overnor Christie has acted to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have access to the care they need to live full and productive lives in the community,鈥� said Lt. Governor Guadagno. 鈥淥ver the last three years, the state has invested nearly $100 million in new funding to expand community-based services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.鈥�
鈥淭he Art of Mercer Health Care Center is an important asset and resource that assists people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible within their own community,鈥� said Steven Cook, executive director of Arc Mercer. 鈥淥ur services are consistent with and complement the Governor鈥檚 initiatives to support community-based living for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.鈥�
Governor Christie鈥檚 Fiscal Year 2014 Budget reflects his ongoing commitment to provide critical programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, including:
鈥⑻齀ncreasing Resources for Community-Based Care to provide $41.8 million of new state and federal funding to develop additional community placements and services, for a projected 788 individuals. An additional $21.3 million is proposed to pay for placements that occurred during Fiscal Year 2013 and a total of $19.7 million in new state and federal funding will support the Division of Developmental Disabilities鈥� Olmstead initiatives.
鈥⑻齀ncreasing Funding for Support Services for Children with Developmental Disabilities through the continued integration of programs under the new Division of Children鈥檚 System of Care in the Department of Children and Families. An additional $1.5 million has been provided in the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget for placement services.
鈥⑻齀dentifying, Diagnosing and Caring for Children with Autism by providing $86 million for the Early Intervention Program, aimed at identifying, diagnosing and caring for children from birth to age three with autism and other developmental disabilities.
鈥⑻齈roviding Transition Services for Adults. The Christie Administration has dedicated funding for young adults with developmental disabilities who age out of the Department of Education鈥檚 special education entitlement by ensuring a seamless transition to the Department of Human Services鈥� adult day-programming.
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The Arc Mercer鈥檚 mission is to help all people with developmental disabilities choose and realize their goals, and reduce the incidence and limit the consequences of developmental disabilities through prevention, education, and advocacy.
Programs are provided for those who need them and opportunities for integration in the larger community are sought. Friendship and support are offered to families, friends, and the community.
The Arc Mercer provides leadership in the field of developmental disabilities and develops the necessary resources to attain these goals.
