“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” –Margaret Mead

The Iris …..

October’s Presentation:

“Accessing Appropriate Housing & Creative Housing Options”

Today’s housing options for persons with mental illness will be discussed Tuesday, October 27th in a webinar presented by Maria Fisher, Esq., of the law firm Hinkle, Prior & Fisher. (This was our March 2020 in-person presentation which had to be canceled due to the health crisis.) Attorney Fisher will share her expertise and answer questions in this ever-changing and ever-challenging area. Housing information is the number one request for help from our membership. When is the right time to seek housing for our loved one who has a mental health diagnosis? This is such a personal decision. But even more daunting is what kind of housing is available? How do you apply for consideration? Are there options for funding residential services? How do you safeguard services? How do you avoid the common pitfalls in working with state agencies? Attorney Fisher is personally committed to the field of disability law. The mother of an adult daughter with autism, Maria’s legal work focuses on helping families of adults with disabilities. She is a member of the family advisory committee at the Supportive Housing Association of NJ. She earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University of Law and is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars.

Attorneys at Hinkle, Prior & Fisher, P.C., have over 70 years of combined experience providing specialized legal services to families of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, and seniors. They have argued many of the precedent setting cases affecting individuals with disabilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The webinar will have a Q&A session for attendees. Please also see the back page of this newsletter for Union County resources for housing. Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrc-ugrzwuHNNiuBk0CPP3JtTImGX1cFdW After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. An email reminder with a clickable link will be emailed to those of you who’ve provided us with your email address.

Online presentation of “Accessing Appropriate Housing & Creative Housing Options”

Tuesday, October 27th, 7:30 pm Register in advance at

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrc-ugrzwuHNNiuBk0CPP3JtTImGX1cFdW

The Official Newsletter of NAMI Union County Volume 19: Issue 2 October 2020

CONTACT US

PO Box 724 New Providence, NJ 07974 Tel: (908) 233-1628 Email: namiunioncounty @yahoo.com

Web: www.naminj.org/affiliates/union/

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ NAMI.UnionCounty

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Education, Advocacy, Support

President’s Message

Mental Health for All – that was the theme for the NAMI Walks NJ that was held virtually on

September 26th. Although we couldn’t walk together for this fundraiser, I am so grateful to everyone who supported NAMI Union County and NAMI NJ. It is clear that many people recognize that NAMI’s programs and advocacy are needed now more than ever. One look at the many NAMI online programs and webinars that have become available since the pandemic began is a testament to the commitment of NAMI National, NAMI NJ and NAMI affiliates throughout the United States.

Our September virtual public presentation on Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts was well

attended and signals the public need for more education webinars. With that in mind, NAMI UC is pleased to announce that the topic of our October public presentation will be “Accessing Appropriate Housing & Creative Housing Options.” This virtual webinar will be held on Tuesday, October 27th and registration is required. Join us and bring your questions and concerns.

You as a supporter are part of the NAMI national movement. Progress can and will continue to be made

because of your support.

Hope to see you on October 27th. Feel free to share information about NAMI UC’s activities with anyone who might need it. You never know – you might just be the light someone else is seeking.

Julie Donohue Julie Donohue, President, NAMI of Union County

NAMI Resource Guide for Union County

An update is planned for 2021 publication. The postponement is due to the changes fraught by the health crisis and changes in how government funds some of the programs. You will be alerted when the new edition (our 7th!) is ready so you can request a free copy. In the meantime, we have a limited number of copies of the current 6th edition of the Guide, shown left. Please contact us for a copy of this 6th edition.

NAMI of Union County Officers of the Board of Directors President Julie Donohue Vice President Denise Gesumaria Secretary Irene Bieniaszewski

Treasurer Pam Eagan * Newsletter Editor Chris Russo

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Education, Advocacy, Support

NAMI Walk 2020 update It happened! NAMI NJ Walks Your Way went local and virtual on September 26th. It was a beautiful day

overall to show support in spirit and financially for NAMI programs and services, and if you could, get outside and walk in your neighborhood.

Left: Julie Donahue, NAMI Union County team captain Frank Manuella, Chris Russo with our team banner

Right: Dennis and Denise Gesumaria on Walk Day in Cranford, sporting “You Are Not Alone” NAMI t-shirts

At publication date, we are literally only a few hundred dollars away from reaching our Union County Team goal! Our goal to raise $5,500 was ambitious and we have come so close, thanks to you and your

friends who support NAMI. You have been so generous!

Whatever way you chose to support this year’s NAMIWalks, you have helped NAMI’s dedication to eradicate mental illness and to improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with the illnesses and their

families. Progress can only be made with you. Thank you sincerely for your support.

Not too late to donate!

To Donate Online to the Union County Team, please Google “NAMI Walk NJ” or search for this URL: https://www.namiwalks.org/team/37917

è This site is open till end of October. To Donate by Mail:

Make your check payable to “NAMI of Union County” and mail to: PO Box 724, New Providence, NJ 07974

Please write “Walk” or a Walker’s name in the memo line of your check. Thank you!!

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Education, Advocacy, Support

Housing Resources in Union County

For details please see pages 27-32 in our Resource Guide also available online, at http://www.naminj.org/support/affiliates/union/

Housing is a complex area! If you are the family member of the person who needs housing, we suggest you contact IFSS (Intensive Family Support Services) for guidance in obtaining housing. Reach IFSS by calling (973) 571- 4100, extension 118 for Joyce Benz, LCSW. Her colleague, LCSW Parantap Pandya's number is also (973) 571-4100 with the extension 122. Following are types of housing options:

SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS This program subsidizes part of a tenant's rent. Section 8 vouchers are frequently secured through supportive housing agencies like Bridgeway, SERV and Volunteers of America. So-called “Affordable housing” is housing with lower rents. There are minimum as well as maximum income qualifications.

SUPPORTED and SUPERVISED HOUSING AGENCIES • Bridgeway Supportive Housing Services Case management service for people living in their own home or apartment. Assists in the housing search and develops ADL skills such as budgeting, shopping, cooking and med compliance. (908) 249-4100 • SERV supervised housing Group homes, supervised and semi-supervised apartments. Placement priority given to persons ready to depart a state psychiatric hospital. Cranford office (908) 276-0490 http://www.servbhs.net/programs-services/behavioral-health-services • Volunteers of America Manages group homes and supportive housing units. Placement is given primarily to those departing a state hospital. www.voa-gny.org 205 W. Milton Ave., Rahway (732) 396-1631 Information: Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey –Local office: 15 Alden St., Cranford (908) 931-1131 http://www.shanj.org/about/about-supportive-housing Housing Authorities supervise buildings that house low-income individuals and families. Priority is given to town residents and SSI or SSDI recipients: Linden Housing Authority (908) 298-3820 Elizabeth Housing Authority (908) 965-2400 Rahway Housing Authority (732) 388-3546 Summit Housing Authority (908) 273-6413 Plainfield Housing Authority (908) 769-6335 Housing Authorities / Senior Citizen Housing - these complexes also accept younger people who receive SSI or SSDI. Keep in touch with your social worker to be alerted to openings on their wait lists. Scotch Plains Senior Citizens Housing (908) 654-1313 Plainfield Tower West, Plainfield (908) 668-1963 Springfield Senior Citizen Housing (973) 467-1480 Rosegate Senior Housing, Rahway (732) 396-4540 First Westfield Sr. Citizen Housing (908)233-5898 Shaeffer Gardens, Union (908) 964-9343 Residential Health Care Facilities are privately run; providing meals, laundry, and some medication monitoring. Payment to the facility is often made from an individual’s Social Security check. A local example is the Park Hotel in Plainfield. Rooming and Boarding Houses – Inspection and licensing overseen by a division of the Dept. of Community Affairs (DCA). www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/offices/roomingboarding.html Assisted Living Facilities – costs and acceptance vary by facility