DAWN Center for Independent Living

Early intervention service coordination - provides coordination of services for children, ages 0-3 and deemed eligible for services by the new jersey department of health, division of family services, that will enhance the families ability to meet the developmental and health related needs of children identified with delays in development or disabilities. These services are provided to families residing in morris and sussex counties.

Division of development disabilities ("ddd") support coordination program - the support program provides coordination and implementation of an individualized plan detailing use of an approved budget assessed and allocated by the new jersey ddd, that enables individuals to purchase goods and services needed to remain in the community and work towards a goal of competitive integrated employment. These services are provided to individuals ages 21 and above with developmental disabilities residing in morris, sussex and somerset counties.

Independent Living services - the Independent Living program provides support and services to individuals with disabilities residing in morris, sussex and warren counties that enables them to access benefits for which they may be eligible and to acquire the necessary functional life skills, social skills, self-advocacy skills and employment readiness skills in order for them to maintain their independence and reside in the community of their choosing. On november 10, 2021, the administration for community Living (acl) announced a $150 million investment to expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks. The purpose and intent of the funds distributed through acl was intended to "expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks." The american rescue plan act of 2021 (arpa) provided funding to recruit, hire, and train public health workers to respond to the covid-19 pandemic and prepare for future public health challenges. As a result of this initiative, dawncil envisioned a plan to support the counties of morris, sussex and warren by partnering with experts in the field of public health to foster a partnership that would not only identify barriers to the public health system but also to create a methodology for eliminating those barriers. The goal was to provide technical assistance regarding the needs of the disability community to the existing public health workforce and to build the capacity of those individuals entering the field of public health. This funding continues through 9/30/2024. During the fiscal year the cil was able to procure and customize it's long desired service delivery vehicle to reach clients and service partners in rural sussex and warren counties. The acquisition of this mobile unit was inspired by the concerns presented to management from consumers and staff regarding barriers to public transportation and the distance needed to travel to access services. As a consumer driven organization, responding to these concerns is an essential piece of our mission. These rural areas are supported with very limited transportation options and physical service provision facilities. The cil will begin service operations in the upcoming fiscal year.