In this episode, we talk to Rebecca Martin from Rutgers about the Inclusive Healthy Communities grant. Rebecca provides support for the Inclusive Healthy Communities award winners. The Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) grant program, established in 2020 by the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services, funds New Jersey communities and organizations engaged in projects that promote the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities in their communities.  We discussed the IHC grant with Rebecca and how she became involved in disability work.    Link-https://inclusivehealthycommunities.org/about/

In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Davina Patterson, Executive Director of Disability Resource Network. The organization is located in Huntsville, AL, and serves 13 counties in North Alabama. During the interview, Davina shared her journey, where she started, and how she reached her current position. Learn about Disability Resource Network:https://www.drn256.org/

In this episode, We talk to Sophie Poost of Disability EmpowHer Network, which is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides women with disabilities to grow, learn, and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead.Disability EmpowHer Network:https://www.disabilityempowhernetwork.org/

We spoke with Kate Kelly and Jesse Schwartzman in this episode to discuss the Integrated Community Project (ICP) and The ICP Toolkit for Municipalities. Created by the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey, these tools allow people to perform accessibility assessments of local governments and municipalities.   The assessment and the toolkit give government officials the tools and support they need to become more accessible. The toolkit was developed specifically for local governments and municipalities in New Jersey. Still, the toolkit can make any organization serving people with disabilities more accessible. This initiative was funded by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services with funds from the Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant.  If you would like to learn more about how to use the toolkit, don't hesitate to get in touch with Kate Kelly at kate.kelly@shanj.org LINKS1. The Integrated Community Project (ICP): https://www.shanj.org/sha-integrated-community-project/2. The ICP Toolkit for Municipalities: https://www.shanj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SHA-NJ-ICP-Toolkit-Second-Edition-Final.pdf3. https://inclusivehealthycommunities.org/Learn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode we interview Carolyn Quinn of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.Carolyn Quinn joined MHA in January of 2013. She received a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Studies from Boston University in May 2010 and completed post-bachelorette studies towards a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University.Carolyn has received certifications/licenses as Certified Recovery Specialist Practitioner (CRSP), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), Internationally Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (I/C PRS), Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and a Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor (DRCC). Carolyn is a certified trainer for multiple curriculums including Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Trainer, Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training (QPR).During her tenure at MHA, she has worked in multiple roles, starting as a peer specialist working with individuals in enhanced supportive housing. After Superstorm Sandy hit NJ, Carolyn assisted in recovery work funded by grants from Robert Wood Johnson, Atlantic County Department of Health, and New Jersey Relief Fund. It was her work during Sandy that led to her certification from the Hoarding Intervention Training Institute and Mutual Support Consulting in several evidence based Hoarding Disorder interventions. Carolyn is the co-founder of MHA’s Too Much Stuff Hoarding Behaviors Initiative in 2014 and currently serves as the chair of the Atlantic County Hoarding Task Force.Carolyn worked as manager of the Wellness Center Manager in Atlantic County, where she coordinated operations, supervised, and supported peer employees, volunteers, and program members by developing and implementing activities, groups, and other services rooted in wellness-oriented models. Wellness philosophies that shaped Carolyn’s work includes Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Copeland Center Wellness Engagement (WE), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Emotional CPR (E-CPR), Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to name a few.Carolyn serves an integral role as trainer and organizer for the Atlantic County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Steering Committee. The CIT initiative helps create a joint response of police and mental health providers to the community.During the initial phases of the Covid-19 Pandemic Carolyn provided disaster response crisis counseling, and then as part of the senior leadership she helped develop United by Wellness (UBW)- a virtual wellness center. UBW brings the principles (no-cost support, education, and advocacy in a safe, and diverse community) rooted from in-person peer programs to a virtual platform. In the first six months of launch UBW provided 587 groups to 41,386 duplicated members.Carolyn currently serves as Community Engagement and Wellness Programs Director, where she oversees Atlantic county’s self-help/wellness & recovery programs and initiatives. In her role she combines her passions by promoting MHA’s public policy agenda and cultivate relationships in diverse communities to provide new opportunities for populations served around housing, education, employment, financial capability, health/mental health, and community inclusion.Carolyn lives and works in Galloway, NJ. She is a home improvement enthusiast in the home she shares with husband and their two rescued Springer Spaniels.cquinn@mhanj.org or 609-652-3800 ext. 0303https://www.mhanj.org/

On this episode, we sat down with Debra Freed of Adult Independent Services. She gives us information about Adult Independent Services and how she got to where she is todayLearn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/aphoLearn More about Debra Freed and the Adult Independent Services:https://adultindependentservices.com/debra.freed@adultindependentservices.com954-541-7765

In this episode, we talk to Nicole Heckelmann who teaches at the Little Egg Harbor School DistrictLearn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/

In this episode, we sat down with Cristine Chickadel of the NJ Division of Disability Services (DDS)  to discuss  NJ ABLE Program, and she talked about how to set up an ABLE account.Learn about the NJ ABLE Program:https://savewithable.com/nj/home.htmlContact Cristine Chickadel:609-631-2451Learn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/

In this episode, we spoke to Janna Roberts. She spoke about her personal and professional experience with people with mental health disabilities.  Learn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/

In this episode, we spoke with Alyson Bakley, who is Vice Chair of the Board of Atlantic CIL.Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Taylor Gantt, a 22-year-old cosplayer living with mild cerebral palsy and auditory processing. She talks about what she's studying in college, how she got into cosplaying, and where she is today.Support Taylor Gantt:https://www.instagram.com/taytaycos/Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we talk to Chris Hodgens, a salesman who suffered from a stroke back in 2010 that affected his life and the battles he faced to where he is today.Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Jaime Angelini, Statewide Director of Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response, and Special Projects. for the Mental Health Association in NJ.  We talk about the steps people can take to help recognize the signs that someone may be thinking of completing suicide and how we can work to prevent it.Jaime L. Angelini:email: jangelini@mhanj.org 2019 Youth Risk and Behavior Survey https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm Ring The Alarm https://theactionalliance.org/sites/default/files/ring_the_alarm-_the_crisis_of_black_youth_suicide_in_america_copy.pdf   Trevor Project Survey https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/ The Trevor Lifeline-1-866-488-7386 Trevor Text Line ‘START' to 678-678 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/initiatives/988/#:~:text=Compassionate%2C%20accessible%20care%20and%20support,who%20may%20need%20crisis%20support

In this episode, we sat down with Daniel Solt, an attorney for South Jersey Legal Services, and how he got to where he is today.Learn more about South Jersey Legal Services:https://www.lsnj.org/sjls/Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Karyn Adams, the author "Don't Give Up: The Stan Adams Jr. Story". She shares the struggles her son had to face and how they accomplished his goals.Buy "Don't Give Up: The Stan Adams Jr. Story": https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Give-Up-Adams-Story/dp/B0BPGBRFLSMusic by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we talk to Adam Denny (better known by the alias Adam Electronic). He is an 18-year-old producer from Oregon living with Russell-Silver syndrome and talks about his music, work, and how he got to where he is today.Follow Adam Electronic:https://www.youtube.com/MozzyFluorumhttps://soundcloud.com/mozzyfluorumhttps://www.instagram.com/adam.electronic/https://mozzyfluorum.bandcamp.com/Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Dawn Lolla about her recovery from alcohol and substance use disorder and how she stays healthy. Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Megan Grannan, about how she lives with Metatropic Dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism. And we talked about how she got into teaching including the struggles she had to face like bullying, getting turned down at jobs, and finding the perfect job.Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho

In this episode, we sat down with Marily Gonzalez, Vice President & COO of hip cil, talking about how their CIL works and the challenges they face.Visit hip cil:https://www.hipcil.org/Learn more about Atlantic CIL:https://atlanticcil.org/

To kick off the new year, we sat down with Jen Burke, one of our staff members talking about how she got into art and her zoom activities.Music by Aphonic:https://linktr.ee/apho