First Children Services knows the return to school can be overwhelming for many. We are continuing to host webinars, open houses, and information sessions to assist through this transition. 

Registration is required. Contact Caitlin Summers-Motta for more info today: [email protected]

Need a Halloween costume but don't want to spend a lot of money? Join Meghan Fahey Friday, September 20th at 12pm to learn how to make your own! 

• For 13+
• On Zoom
• Must sign up

Saturday, September 21 10-2pm @ 200 Wolverton Street in Trenton.

Jumpstart your Future career.

Healthy Lifestyles Project: LIVE is a series of live, interactive events to promote healthy living for adults and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Created by the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, this is an online learning experience featuring videos of culturally diverse parents asking mental health professionals common questions about youth suicide. Learn the warning signs, how to have important conversations, and about valuable resources to keep youth safe.

Located at 157 Westcott Ave Hamilton, NJ

609-888-3218

Register for fall programs at register.communitypass.net/mercer

JOIN US - Vaccine Clinic on September 23rd at 10am.

Rite Aid will be offering: Flu, Shingles, Covid-19, Hep A & B, as well as Pneumonia shots. 

MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND

Grieving the loss of a loved one? Find comfort and support at GriefShare, a 13-week grief support group for those who have lost a loved one. This group will meet on Mondays (September 9-December 9) at 6:30pm at Stone Hill Church.

Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM 

Stone Hill Church of Princeton

On September 28, Mercer CMO's CCCC Zero Suicide Team will join the Out of Darkness Walk in an effort to fight suicide. Walk with us or donate to our goal of raising $1000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Where: Hamilton's Veteran's Park @ 9 am

This Employment and Resource Fair is specifically designed to provide you with access to valuable information about employment rights, family benefits, and local resources--all in one place. Plus, there will be opportunities to enhance your well-being and confidence through interactive sessions and makeovers!

Falls can pose a serious risk to brain injury survivors. This free webinar will review statistics of falls in those with a brain injury and the importance of reducing one's fall risk, evaluate the home set up and strategies to decrease tripping hazards around one's home, and identify a few exercises to decrease fall risk in the safety of one's home. Presenter is Dr. Marvelyn Tiziani, PT, DPT, NCS

Calling All Youth! Hear about a new council for youth interested. Make a Difference: Share your thoughts on youth disability programs. Develop Skills: Gain leadership experience. Network: Connect with peers and professionals.

In honor of Nat'l Suicide Prevention Month, SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Branch is hosting a fireside chat on Black youth suicide prevent featuring SAMHSA speakers, young adults with lived experience, and experts in suicide prevention. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and embed equality in suicide prevention efforts.

Join us for "The Healing Pen", a virtual weekly transformative workshop series open to anyone seeking to heal from trauma, including survivors of domestic violence. This supportive and empowering space will guide you in using writing as a tool for healing, self-expression, and reclaiming your voice. Wednesday evenings. Beginning September 11th.

Nurturing your relationship with your partner can be challenging after having children, and when those children are neurodivergent, it can feel almost impossible. The additional stress and opportunities for growth that come with supporting a child with ADHD, Autism, or other neurodivergent conditions can place a tremendous strain on a couple's relationship. In this FREE webinar, Jeffrey Young, a Marital and Family Therapist, will share insights and practical tips from his extensive experience working with couples raising neurodivergent children. Attendees will learn how to apply evidence-informed tools to enhance their relationships, leading to clearer communication, increased compassion, and deeper connection.

The Family Support Planning Council welcomes families with children and youth with disabilities to a presentation on coordinating supports and services across all of the different service delivery systems. We will have representatives from the Children's System of Care, Department of Education, a Care Management Organization, Disability Rights New Jersey, and the Office of Ombudsman for People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families.

The Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vicinage Office of the Ombudsman and representatives from South Jersey Legal Services (SJLS) will present a virtual webinar to assist self-represented litigants who are filing for child custody and/or child support or modifying a child custody and/or child support court order.

Every Monday from 11am-1pm at 212 Centre St Trenton.

Must visit website to sign up for appointment. 

Starting 4/1/24 Creative Change Counseling will be offering Art Therapy Groups for youth ages 11-17. 

Mondays - Hamilton 3525 Quakerbridge RD Suite 903 5-6pm

Wednesdays - Lumberton 669 Main St Lumberton 6:30-7:30

For More information call 609-534-5016 or email [email protected] OR [email protected]

The 4th Annual NJ I/DD Youth Transition Conference is for youth with disabilities transitioning to the adult world of services, their families & caregivers and the professionals who serve them. NJ's premier conference on all-things Transition Into Adulthood related- join us virtually on October 1st and 3rd with a special virtual Resource Spotlight Networking Event on October 4th, 2024.

In this webinar, we will: Provide an overview of foundational estate planning documents with examples of common pitfalls for each. Assist attendees in spotting when special needs trust planning is required and review its advantages and disadvantages. Outline the importance of an estate plan for caring for those close to you after your passing and the roles detailed legal documents can and cannot play. Presenter: Ryan Krocker, Esq.

An 8-week peer led program for helping those who have lost a loved one to suicide (16+). This will be a safe space where we will talk about trauma, grief, and guilt. No one should go through a suicide loss alone. 

October 2-November 20

Wednesdays - 6:30pm (hybrid)

Please Register to attend

The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project team finds it important to keep nurturing our connections with you and branching out in ways that help us all continue to grow. These webinars are for adults and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members, and Direct Support Professionals.

Comfort Zone Camp serves children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver, or friend. All programs are offered at no cost to families. CZC provides a safe, nurturing environment where kids can have traditional camp fun, while at the same time acquiring tools to help them cope with their loss.

Presented by LALDEF and MECHA - do not miss out on the Utility Assistance clinics offered in Trenton or Princeton. Will assist Mercer County families with the application for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

*By APPOINTMENT ONLY*

Each year, the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project (NJSAP) and the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network (NJSSAN) work together to host the annual Fall Conference. The event is an opportunity for Disability Advocates to network, learn about current advocacy issues, and attend professional development workshops.

A community art event on Saturday October 5 at 10 am. A free event, also serving as fundraiser for non-profit Heart2Heart.

A fun, Digital Arts program introducing Youth & Teens to 2D Digital Animation and Design. 

For grades 3-9 on Mondays, starting 10/7. 

Sign up Now!

Children who have been through scary or stressful events often experience new difficulties at home, school, and in their day-to-day lives. We're here to help!

In office counseling for children ages 0-12 and their caregivers. Therapists will support families in overcoming difficulties resulting from challenging experiences to build healthy futures. 

The ISP is the foundation for developing strong supports and services for your family member with I/DD. Join us to develop a person-centered ISP with effective ISP examples presented for families with adults and those transitioning out of the school system.

Physical, cognitive, psychological, and behavioral impairments may result following a brain injury and significantly impact survivor functioning. Clinicians must embrace treatment methods that address multi-faceted impairments. One method gaining attention is the use of virtual reality. Available literature targeting the effectiveness of virtual reality in the brain injury population is growing. Studies have focused on executive functioning, attention, memory, balance, functional mobility, stress, and anxiety (Brasse et al., 2021; Porras et al., 2019). Positive outcomes in areas including balance, functional mobility, executive functioning, cognition, and attention have been reported (Alashram, 2019; De Luca et al., Grealy, 1999; 2023; Porras et al., 2019). As technology continues to become crucial to daily life and rehabilitation, there is a growing need to be aware of the potential for its use, its limitations, and need for continued research. Objectives: 1. To summarize the current literature focused on the use of virtual reality and the brain injury population; 2. To recognize current guidelines and recommendations regarding the use of virtual reality and brain injury; 3. To identify gaps in the available literature and corresponding treatment recommendations; 4. To analyze a case series of the use of virtual reality in long-term survivors of brain injury.

In this FREE webinar, we'll explore how acupuncture serves as a powerful complementary therapy for reducing anxiety and enhancing mental well-being. The audience will gain insight into the foundational principles of acupuncture, its effects on the nervous system, and how it can be applied to manage various anxiety disorders. Whether you're new to acupuncture or seeking alternative treatments for anxiety, this session offers practical and valuable information for improving your overall health. Don't miss the chance to discover a natural, effective approach to anxiety relief!

Shaping Tomorrow's Policies for Today's Caregivers.

Save the date:

November 3 – 4, 2024
The Heldrich
New Brunswick, NJ

Current literature regarding the evaluation and treatment of patients with traumatically induced disorders of consciousness (DOC) will be addressed, in addition to the definitions and evaluation of the spectrum of DOC. Common complications that can slow or arrest recovery are considered. Updated practice guidelines and recommendations for diagnoses and care and treatment strategies for DOC will be reviewed. Objectives: Participants will be able to discuss: Definitions of the spectrum of disorders of consciousness (DOC); Outcomes after DOC; Updated practice guidelines for the management of patients with disorders of consciousness; Recommendations for programs caring for patients with DOC. Presenter: Dr. Brian Greenwald