ADULT PROGRAMSPREPARE FORMAJOR CHANGESThe Healthcare Foundation of New JerseyProvides Critical Help

Independent A REGULAR NEWSLETTER OF CEREBRAL PALSY OF NORTH JERSEY FALL 2018

The State of New Jersey is in the midst of a dramatic shift in the way it pays for services for adults with disabilities. For decades, the State’s Division of Developmental Disabilities paid a set rate per year for an adult with special needs to attend a day program or to live in a group home. But they are now transitioning to a “fee-for-service” model in which service providers like CPNJ will have to bill Medicaid for their services. CPNJ has been working for years to prepare for the significant, organization-wide changes needed to successfully adapt to the new system, which will mean major adjustments at our adult day programs in Orange, Irvington and Wayne.

The State of New Jersey supports an “Employment First” approach to serving individuals with disabilities—meaning that activities at CPNJ’s adult day programs must focus intensively on pre-vocational and vocational activities. “The most e�ective tools for teaching job skills to adults with developmental disabilities are those that allow them to learn in a hands on manner,” said Tammy Wilson, CPNJ’s V.P. for Programs. “If you want to teach a consumer to stock shelves, then you need to practice using equipment that closely simulates the real thing.” But while such equipment is critical, the new funding system does not provide dedicated funding in this area.

CPNJ TO HONORROBERT MURRAYOF ALSTON CONSTRUCTION

CPNJ will honor Robert Murray, the Vice President and General Manager at Alston Construction, at its Steps to Independence Celebration on October 17th at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

Bob has done extensive pro bono work with CPNJ, providing his expert counsel on a number of major real estate projects. In 2017, he served as one of the co-chairs for the Steps to Independence Celebration and helped to raise more than $1 million.

“Bob has supported our agency in so many di�erent ways and is truly committed to our consumers,” said Kelly Marx, a long-time CPNJ board member and one of the co-chairs for this year’s event. “We are excited and proud to be honoring him.”

For information on purchasing tables, tickets or journal ads, please contact David Bishop at (973) 821-82108 or at dbishop@cpnj.org.

Bob Murray with Danylo at CPNJ’sHorizon Elementary School

Participants at the Irvington adult day program learnto shop and to ring up sales at a cash register

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CPNJ CEO Purna Rodman Conare (left), Board Chair Beth Rose (2nd from left) and longtime board member Ed Becker (right) honored Maxine Myers at the annual board meeting on June 25th for her more than 30 years of service on the Board of Trustees. Maxine retired from the Board but will always remain a close member of the CPNJ family.

Board Honors Maxine Myers

C O N T A C T U S

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www.cpnj.org www.horizonschoolsnj.org

David BishopEditor

(973) 821-8108dbishop@cpnj.org

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Message from thePresident & CEOOur main story in this issue of the Independent concerns the major change in the way the State of New Jersey pays for services for adults with disabilities. The new system places a great deal of pressure on service providers like CPNJ, including significant financial burdens. Of greater concern is the fact that the rates under the new system are not su�cient to adequately support these programs. We

are working closely with our trade association, the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD), to advocate for increases that will allow us to deliver the level of quality services that our consumers deserve. And we are thankful to our friends at The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for helping us to make the key changes needed for our programs to adapt and continue to thrive.

You will also read about the new group home we recently opened in Paterson. There are thousands of New Jersey families who are in need of special needs housing for their loved ones. We are working to develop more homes as quickly as possible, but it is a highly complex process. We are looking for towns and real estate developers who are willing to partner with us to build new homes and help meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Please reach out to us with any questions or ideas.

This issue also features an article about our introduction of “cage” therapy at our Horizon Schools. We are fortunate to have a team of therapists who constantly seek out ways to improve our program and who are willing to invest the time and e�ort to put those changes into e�ect. We are equally fortunate to have generous supporters who make possible our commitment to ongoing improvement.

Warmly,Purna Rodman Conare

Thank you and enjoy the issue!

CPNJ’s Boardof Trustees

Edward H. Becker

Shari Caspert

Darren Burns

David J. Carlson, Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Chris Halkyard

Matthew Gittleman

Brad Jacobson

Brian T. Kloza,

Helene Ja�e,

Christine Kotarba

Clark Machemer,Vice Chair

Brian Kronick

Barry Ostrowsky

Kelly Marx

Beth S. Rose

H. O’Neil Williams

Justin P. Walder

Photography by Peter Zipf

Physical therapist Lisa Matarazzo and PT internNicholas Weiss from Seton Hall University workwith Tyler in the Horizon High “cage”

Sara clapped with delight as Physical Therapist Assistant Lisa Diorio led her into what appeared to be a three-sided white cage and began attaching bungee cords to her. Sara sat patiently on a small bench until prompted by Lisa to stand. With assistance from the cords, she was able to stand and hold herself upright, clapping for herself as Lisa cheered her on.

The “cage” is actually a piece of therapy equipment known as the Universal Exercise Unit. It allows therapists to attach bungee cords to the piece and to the child receiving therapy. The cords eliminate gravitational forces on the body to facilitate the weaker muscles through active movement. “It’s an ideal way for a child to work on a specific activity for a longer period of time without fatiguing the child as much as you would with traditional therapeutic exercise,” said Horizon High School physical therapist Lisa Matarazzo.

Working in the UEU can benefit any child who has decreased strength, muscles tightness, muscle imbalances, motor planning and coordination problems. The support of the UEU allows the therapist to isolate the muscles that need to be specifically strengthened to improve function. But it requires more than the UEU - a therapist must undergo a minimum of two full days of intensive training by experts from the Therasuit company in Michigan.

Horizon Elementary School and Horizon High School each have an UEU and a team of therapists trained in its use. “This is the latest in our ongoing e�ort to ensure a cohesive and highly e�ective program between our two schools,” said CPNJ’s Vice President for Education and Horizon High School principal Joe Schwartz. “Thank you to the Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation and the Dalal Family Foundation for making it possible for us to deliver this new therapy to our students.”

HORIZON SCHOOLS INTRODUCE

UEU THERAPY

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Physical Therapist Assistant LisaDiorio works with Sara in the

Horizon Elementary “cage”

The Wheelin’-n’-Walkin’ Challenge is a fundraiser held each year by Horizon Elementary School, Horizon High School, and our adult training centers in Irvington, Orange and Wayne. Sta� members and families at each site coordinate their walk and help to raise funds that go into their site’s annual fund. This year, the sites did a wide range of fundraisers (in addition to the walk) and raised a combined total of more than $130,000!

WALKS CAP OFFYEAR OF FUNDRAISING

The Halkyard family raised almost $12,000 forHorizon Elementary

The Machemer family raised over $7,000 for Horizon High School

The DeSimone family raised over $7,000 forHorizon High School

The McCalla family raisedover $3,000 for the IrvingtonAdult Training Center

Horizon Elementary and Horizon High School each invested $70,000 from their annual funds to purchase a new school bus. The high school bus will allow more students to travel to job sites and community integration activities and the elementary school bus will enable sta� to plan a wide range of educational field trips.

Students, staff and parents showoff Horizon High School’s new bus

All of the t-shirts used at the five Wheelin’-n’-Walkin’ Challenges were made by Horizon High School’s new ReHave It Program. The program will be featured in the next issue of the Independent.

Annual Funds Support New Buses Bringing you the WWC “Look”

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CPNJ opened its newest community residence in Paterson on June 13th. The residence is home to four adults with developmental disabilities. Funding for the home was made possible by the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency O�cials from DDD as well as Paterson City Council President Ruby Cotton turned out to cut the ribbon on the house and welcome the residents to their new home.

NEW HOME

OPENSIN PATERSON

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ADULT PROGRAMS PREPARE FOR MAJOR CHANGES

For more information about Mandelbaum Salsburg’s services related to guardianship or other special needs issues, please contact Richard Miller at rmiller@lawfirm.ms.

The CPNJ advocacy committee is comprised of consumer family members and sta� who work to advocate on behalf of special needs families. If you would like to become involved with the committee, contact David Bishop at dbishop@cpnj.org or (973) 821-8108.

Attorneys Richard Miller and Shawna Brown from the Special Needs Department at the Roseland law firm of Mandelbaum Salsburg provided a free legal seminar focused on guardianship for special needs families. The event was held on June 20th at CPNJ’s Horizon High School and more than 30 families turned out.

By law, any child – regardless of whether the child has a disability or how severe the disability – becomes emancipated upon turning 18. That means parents can no longer make decisions legally for their child; the parent cannot obtain medical information, sign medical consent forms or the paperwork needed to obtain certain services. “Many families do not realize how important it is to obtain guardianship,” said CPNJ CEO Purna Rodman Conare. “This issue was brought to our attention by our Advocacy Committee, who planned and organized the event.”

“There have been a lot of changes to the guardianship process,” said CPNJ Advocacy Committee member and Horizon High School parent Joanne DeSimone. “We wanted to help other families and we are grateful to have a partner like Mandelbaum Salsburg to help us.”

At the same time, sta� must confront widespread behavioral challenges: more than 60% of adults at CPNJ’s adult day programs have some degree of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). SPD is a neurological disorder that causes individuals to misinterpret information they take in through their five senses. “We specialize in serving adults with severe disabilities and complex behavioral and medical challenges,” said Tammy. For those with SPD, a properly equipped sensory room can allow them to address their sensory issues and better participate in and benefit from the day program.”

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey helped CPNJ to address both challenges at its adult programs in orange and irvington. The foundation provided a major grant last year that allowed the agency to develop state-of-the-art sensory rooms at both sites as well as three rooms with a wide range of specialized equipment for pre- vocational and vocational training. The equipment allows the centers to o�er two simulated environments - one for o�ce training and one for retail training. The equipment will also enable sta� to work with participants on filling out job applications, writing a resume and doing an interview. “The Healthcare Foundation’s grant was truly transformative,” said Tammy. “It allowed us to emerge from a challenging transition period stronger than ever.”

The change in the way the adult programs bill for their services has also led to major administrative changes across CPNJ. The agency invested in an electronic medical records system, hired IT specialists to tailor and implement the software and launched a massive training e�ort to educate sta� members in tracking and billing for services. “These are historic, statewide changes that will have far-reaching implications,” said CPNJ CEO Purna Rodman Conare. “To survive a transition like this, an agency must constantly adapt and focus on working e�ciently at all levels of the organization. We are so thankful to have partners like The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey to help us ensure our program continues to deliver exemplary services for our program participants.”

Continued from page 1

MANDELBAUM SALSBURG PROVIDES

FOR FAMILIESFREE SEMINAR

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If you would like to remember someone with an “in memory of” gift or celebrate a special occasion with an “in honor of” gift, please contact the CPNJ development o�ce at (973) 821-8036. We will

notify the person of your choosing with a special card telling them that a gift was made.

In Honor of

For: Kelly Marx’s Milestone BirthdayBy: Richard & Leslie Gelfond Alan and Susan Hammer Daniel Marx Barry & Bobbi Ostrowsky Michele Penn

For: Nate Cohen’s BirthdayBy: Pam Bachorz Mosetta Berry Sarah Gi�ord

For: Amanda MachemerBy: John & Carole Buell

For: Rachel Cohen’s Bat MitzvahBy: Congregation Beth El’s Morning Minyan

In Memory of

For: Diane JacobsBy: Lonnie & Bette Hanauer Kate Krug Alan Mucatel

For: Pearl LewisBy: David Bishop

For: Michelle BarresiBy: Jackie Barresi Paul & Cindy Brown Al Cash Mauro & Barbara Cataletto Len DeMarco Angel Faillace Joe, Judy, Christen & Dina Falzarano Bob Greene Rob Jones Bob Kirsch Dennis Brian Morrison Doug Sydney Joanne Tortorice

For: Carmella LeoneBy: Francis J. & Linda J. Belusko John D & Helga Cummins Grace C. Cunningham Karen, John, Jessica & Sean Cunningham Linda M. Guarino James & Laura Kelk Rob & Suzanne Manwarren Joseph & Debra Romano Rotary Club of Passaic Valley Lori & Ken Smith The Valenti Family Wendy Young

For: Barbara BeckerBy: Maxine Myers

For: Gloria SandersBy: James & Kelli Glenn

For: Robert BeckerBy: Brian T. & Paula Kloza Joshua Schwarz

For: Susan, Lawrence & Olive ColemanBy: Deborah Jordan

For: Susan Coleman & her late parents, Lawrence & Olive ColemanBy: Deborah Tanno Jordan

For: Virginia MushinskiBy: Russell Bethon Fred & Daniel Dressel Kathy & Samantha Gaspar Lonnie & Bette Hanauer Judith A. Young

TRIBUTE GIFTS

Matt Gittleman with his wife Jo Ann and children, Emmaand Joseph at the Horizon Elementary School walk

Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey220 South Orange AvenueSuite 300 Livingston, NJ 07039

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 345CALDWELL, NJ

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Matt Gittleman earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Rutgers University (and later his MBA from Montclair University) before embarking on a career in real estate finance. He joined RREEF and worked his way up to Vice President-Financial Controller before leaving to join Clarion Partners, where he now works as Senior Vice President in the Asset Management Operations group.

In 2013, Matt’s son, Joseph, enrolled in CPNJ’s Horizon Elementary School. Matt’s wife, Jo Ann, quickly became involved in the school’s Parent Teacher and Therapist Association (PTTA) and the couple began fundraising for the school’s annual Wheelin’-n’-Walkin’ Challenge fundraiser. They have been the school’s top fundraisers for the last two years, bringing in close to 200 gifts and raising more than $18,000 this year.

When CPNJ’s Board of Trustees began looking for individuals with financial expertise to strengthen their finance committee, they immediately turned to Matt. “Matt brings a wealth of knowledge that will support the work of the board,” said CPNJ CEO Purna Rodman Conare. “And he also brings the perspective and deep-rooted commitment of a parent of a child receiving services from the agency. We are excited to have him on the Board and are looking forward to working with him.”

BOARD SPOTLIGHT ON…

MATTHEW GITTLEMAN

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