DAWN CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING INC

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE COORDINATION - THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES THE COORDINATION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, AGES 0-3, WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE FAMILY'S ABILITY TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND HEALTH RELATED NEEDS OF THESE ELIGIBLE CHILDREN. SERVICE COORDINATORS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT ASSIST WITH DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS AS WELL AS SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO NEEDED COMMUNITY/STATE/FEDERAL SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES RESIDING IN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES BY OUR AGENCY.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES RESIDING IN MORRIS, SUSSEX AND WARREN COUNTIES WHICH ENABLES THEM TO ACCESS BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE AND TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONAL LIFE, SOCIAL, SELF-ADVOCACY, AND EMPLOYMENT READINESS SKILLS TO ASSIST THEM IN MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND RESIDE IN THE COMMUNITY OF THEIR CHOICE.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." 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 THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE 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. PH FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE REPORTING YEAR AND IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN PRIOR YEARS, DAWN IDENTIFIED A METHODOLOGY FOR HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES LEARN HOW TO PROMOTE THEIR WELLNESS. A HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM ENTITLED "BE WELL AND THRIVE" WAS OFFERED WITHIN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWED INDIVIDUALS TO COME TOGETHER IN SMALL GROUPS AND LEARN HOW TO LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. THE SMALL GROUPS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEER SUPPORT AND THE BUILDING OF LONG-TERM FRIENDSHIPS ALONG WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR PERSONAL WELL-BEING. ALSO, DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, DAWN SAW ITS MOBILE UNIT TAKE SHAPE. ENSURING ACCESS TO ALL CONSUMERS IS A CRUCIAL PART OF DAWN'S MISSION WHICH THIS MOBILE UNIT HELPS TO PROVIDE. THE MOBILE UNIT BECAME MORE CONSISTENT IN THE SITES IT VISITED AND WAS USED FOR SEVERAL OUTREACH EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE UNIT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REACHING MORE ISOLATED MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING CONSUMERS BEING ABLE TO HAVE IN-PERSON LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE. FOR SOME WITH LIMITED TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, THIS WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE POSSIBLE. OVERALL, THE MOBILE UNIT HAS STARTED TO BECOME A CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN SOME OF THE MORE REMOTE AREAS DAWN SERVICES.