Heightened Independence & Progress (hip) has administered two premier Centers for Independent Living in New Jersey for many years - since 1980 in Bergen County and in Hudson County since 1987. Through the years, programs and initiatives have continued to expand. In some situations identical services are provided, while in other instances programs are specific to each CIL which may have County boundaries or span the entire state.
- Programs and Services -
Information and Referral frequently occurs as a brief service where staff either provides direct information or functions as a clearinghouse, directing individuals to other appropriate resources.
Advocacy to Individuals is an essential service which provides assistance with such issues as housing, employment, and financial benefits.
Systems Advocacy efforts are directed at addressing support or change of appropriate legislation, enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act, and other issues which promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.
Peer Support services are provided by persons with disabilities who may be staff members, consumers, or other individuals who are in a position to be of assistance as a result of their own life experiences.
Independent Living Skills Training is the sharing of any information or support which enables individuals to function as independently as possible. A great deal of staff time is devoted to the provision of these core services.
Adjustment to Vision Loss
Contact: Trisha Ebel
Email: tebel.ber@hipcil.org
The Adjustment to Vision Loss Project is a unique program designed to assist individuals in adjusting to the loss of vision, through one-on-one direct assistance as well as involvement in peer support groups. AVL has served 14 counties in Northern and Central New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren and maintains a Directory to refer individuals to groups in their geographic area.
Groups address issues and concerns of people with vision loss, and through the sharing of their experiences, members provide support to one another. A phone peer support group welcomes individuals between 21 and 40 who reside throughout the state of New Jersey.
Advocacy
Contact: Michael Augustowicz
Email: maugustowicz.ber@hipcil.org
Advocacy is a service at hip which occurs in many ways. The overriding goal is to promote and ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Advocacy staff direct their efforts toward working with individual consumers who face difficulties in areas of housing, employment, transportation, and many other issues.
Systems advocacy is geared toward challenges faced by many people with disabilities. Efforts are directed at enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act, and other issues which promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Other areas which have recently been addressed include working with the community to assist people with disabilities in relocating from institutions to residences within their community.
Hispanic Outreach Program
Contact: Maria Perez
Email: mvalentin.ber@hipcil.org
Through this project bilingual staff provide all Center for Independent Living services to people with disabilities who are Spanish speaking. Assistance is provided with completing applications for immigration, Social Security, housing, and other financial benefit programs. Translation is provided as necessary.
It's All About Work
Contact: Pat Rodriguez
Email: prodriguez.ber@hipcil.org
It's All About Work is a program developed by the New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living in partnership with New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS). Through a series of course offerings provided at Bergen County high schools, transition-aged students begin to explore their career preferences related to interests and abilities, learn about the adult service system and skills needed for independent living and identify their life goals, particularly those related to work. At the conclusion of the course, students are eligible for individualized employment-related services through DVRS. Another component of the program works with adults referred by DVRS who benefit from instruction on enhancing their job readiness skills.
Multimedia Transcription Service
Contact: Jayne Jacobs at (201) 996-9423
Email: mts.ber@hipcil.org
Multimedia Transcription Service (MTS) transcribes print documents into braille and audio formats. Through an extensive staff of transcribers certified by the Library of Congress, materials are produced for schools, government entities, non-profit agencies, the corporate sector, hospitals, theaters, and the community at large. A full range of literary, math, science, computer and foreign language textbooks have been produced for students across the country. Go to the MTS Web Site for further information.
Peer Support Groups
Contact: Paula Walsh or Trisha Ebel
Email: pwalsh.ber@hipcil.org or tebel.ber@hipcil.org
hip offers the following peer support groups: (Limited transportation may be available to enable Bergen County residents.)
COPE (Concern Over People's Emotions) meets on the last Thursday of each month to address the needs of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Members discuss issues of mutual interest while socializing and forming friendships. Contact Paula Walsh for more information on COPE.
Empowering Women meets at the Bergen hip office on the second Thursday of each month from 11am-1pm to address issues such as relationships, women's issues, family dynamics, employment, information sharing, and day-to-day challenges. Contact Trisha Ebel for information about Empowering Women.
Rehabilitation Technology (SNAP, MAP, and POLIO)
Contact: Maria Perez
Email: mvalentin.ber@hipcil.org
The Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) serves Bergen County residents who are elderly or disabled by providing funding toward assistive devices, equipment, or services which enable them to function independently in their everyday lives. Some examples include wheelchairs, bathroom equipment, hearing aids, emergency alert systems, and more.
The Modification Access project (MAP) provides partial funding to enable Bergen County residents who are elderly and/or disabled to increase accessibility within their homes. Some examples of home modifications are ramps, roll-in showers, railings, wheelchair lifts and the widening of doorways.
The New Jersey Polio Network Program assists New Jersey residents who have been affected by polio. Individuals can apply for grants of up to $1,000 for such needs as medical evaluations, assistive devices, and medical transportation costs.
Senior and Caregiver Assistance Program
Contact: Mary Mulvaney or Shoshana Stubin
Email: mmulvaney.ber@hipcil.org or sstubin.ber@hipcil.org
SCAP is a component of the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) which offers information, facilitates referrals, and provides linkage to essential services to individuals (60 or over) who either have a disability or are caregivers. Staff assess needs and coordinate community-based services to enhance the quality of life of both the caregiver and the care recipient.
Support Coordination Program
Contact: Paula Walsh
Email: pwalsh.ber@hipcil.org
hip's Support Coordinator assist DDD-eligible Bergen County residents and their family/support team in assessing their needs and developing an individualized Service Plan to access community-based programs and services. The Support Coordinators locate, link, coordinate and monitor the supports and services on an ongoing basis to ensure that all necessary services remain in place to enable the individual to achieve their desired outcomes.
Support for Independent Living
Contact: Mary Mulvaney or Shoshana Stubin
Email: mmulvaney.ber@hipcil.org or sstubin.ber@hipcil.org
SIL provides care management services for Bergen County residents ages 18 – 59 who have disabilities. As a component of the Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection (ADRC), SIL enables individuals to remain independent in their homes. Staff works with consumers to assess needs and coordinate community based services such as home health-care, financial benefits programs, and Meals on Wheels.
Traumatic Brain Injury Fund
Contact: Paula Walsh
Email: pwalsh.ber@hipcil.org
The Traumatic Brain Injury financial (TBI) Fund is a state-funded case management program which provides community services and support for New Jersey residents who have been affected by a traumatic brain injury. hip's care managers work with individuals to assist them in utilizing available funding for various therapies as well as the purchase of equipment and other individual services.
+1 (201) 996-9100
https://www.hipcil.org/
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ber@hipcil.org
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