Family Support Services

enriching lives

The Arc’s Family Support Department at The Arc Family Center is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering a diverse selection of support programs and services including year-round recreation, enrichment programs, Camp Star, and respite services. Also offered throughout the year are workshops designed to educate and support parents, caregivers, and professionals who care for individuals with special needs or developmental concerns.

employment first in new jersey

Learn more about this important designation here:
New Jersey Becomes an ‘Employment First’ State

In 2012, the Governor declared New Jersey an ‘Employment First’ state. This means competitive employment is the first and preferred post-education activity for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Extended Employment Sheltered Workshops

The Extended Employment Program (EE) is one of the programs that may be offered under the federal definition of a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP)

EE Programs:

Provide services as an interim step in the rehabilitation process
Are specifically designed for consumers who are presently unable to work in CIE or who have chosen to work in a non-integrated setting
Gives individuals the ability to complete complex tasks with staff’s assistance to ensure quality!

SERVICES INCLUDE:

Hand assembling and packaging
Disassembly
Repackaging
Promotions fulfillment
Heat sealing
Labeling/mailing and collating
Sorting/hanging/folding clothes/bagging/tagging/shredding and much more!

Off-Site Production

Many labor-intensive tasks or sub-components of jobs can be produced at The Arc’s work site by well-trained and supervised workers. Production is designed to meet manufacturer’s standards with a high degree of quality control and attention to production deadlines. Lower payroll costs/supplement your workforce without direct hiring.

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Recreation Opportunities

The Arc of Union County offers recreation and leisure activities, for a small fee, throughout the year to promote physical and psychological well being. As a result, participants have the opportunity to build friendships and learn how to pursue personal interests.

ADULTS

For adults, the Respite Bulletin is published on a quarterly basis offering a variety of programs and events for those aged 18 and older. Activities include game nights, athletic activities, trips to sporting events, concerts, museums, arts and crafts, movie night, dining out and more. The recreation department is also involved with the New Jersey Special Olympics bowling division.

SUPER SATURDAYS – KIDS & TEENS

Ages 6 through 18
Drop-off program for kids and teens with special needs. Do crafts, play games, listen to music and have fun! Parents or guardians must provide lunch and transportation to and from the program. Paperwork on file and pre-registration is required.
Where: 1181 Route 22 East Mountainside, NJ 07092
Time: 9am-3pm daily

LITTLE TYKES SATURDAYS

Ages 2 through 4
Drop-off program for kids with special needs. Do crafts, play games, listen to music and have fun! Parents or guardians must provide transportation to and from the program. Paperwork on file and pre-registration is required.
Where: 1181 Route 22 East Mountainside, NJ 07092
Time: 10am-12pm

Camp Star

Camp Star is offered 5 weeks in the Summer. This is a safe, structured environment for children and teens ages 6 to 21 years old with special needs, and their siblings. Camp is designed to enhance personal and social development, language and communication skills, learning, and motor and muscular coordination.

Camp Star also provides children and teens the opportunity to participate in planned programs in inclusive settings, such as day trips (museums, sporting events, performances), swimming, arts & crafts, adaptive physical education, nature exploration, hiking, karate, games and music appreciation. Located at The Arc Family Center in Mountainside, Camp Star has both indoor and outdoor accessibility. When indoors, campers enjoy their day in a climate-controlled building; in beautiful summer weather, they are just a few feet away from a open grassy area outdoors.

Ask about our sibling camp package!

When: July/August – Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm daily

Where: 1181 Route 22 East, Mountainside

A fun camp program for children ages 3 to 5 years. Join us during the summer months for fun indoor and outdoor camp activities such as music, games and water play!

Located at The Arc Family Center in Mountainside, Little Tykes Camp has both indoor and outdoor accessibility. When indoors, campers enjoy their day in a climate-controlled building; in beautiful summer weather, they are just a few feet away from an open grassy area outdoors.

When: July-August, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm daily

Where: 1181 Route 22 East, Mountainside

Respite Services

The Arc of Union County’s respite services were developed to provide families with assistance and support of their ongoing responsibilities related to caring for an individual with a disability. If your child or loved one is eligible for respite services through PerformCare or DDD, there is no fee for participation.

THE Arc FAMILY CENTER (CHILDREN AND TEENS AGES 6-21)

3:00 pm-5:45 pm
The Arc Family Center -
1181 Route 22 East, Mountainside, NJ

AFTER WORK (ADULTS AGES 21+)

3:00 pm-6:00 pm
The Arc of Union County HQ - 60 Diamond Road, Springfield, NJ 07081

CHILDREN AND ADULT SATURDAY RESPITE PROGRAM

Both the Children’s and Adult’s Saturday Respite Programs are offered twice per month in Mountainside at The Arc Family Center. Each program offers indoor activities such as games, cooking, arts & crafts, and other socialization opportunities for each person based on his/her individual interests and abilities. Assistance with self-care is provided. The program runs from 9:30 am to 2:45 pm; individuals bring their own lunch.

IN HOME

In this program, a respite worker provides one-to-one care to a child (21 and under) with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the individual’s home. Eligibility is determined by Division of Children and Families (DCF). If eligible, families receive an average of 20 hours in-home respite care per month. Hours are coordinated between the family and the care provider to meet the needs of the individual and family.

HOTEL

This program is an overnight stay on a Friday evening to Sunday afternoon for adults 21 years and older. The weekend’s activities include day trips and a variety of recreational activities with a two-to-one staff ratio. Families must be approved by their Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) case manager before registering and may be eligible up to two times per year.

COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT

In this program, a respite worker provides one-to-one care to an adult (21+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The respite worker guides the individual on developing their independence in home and/or in the community. Eligibility is determined by the individual’s DDD budget. Families and their respite worker create a schedule that will support the needs of the individual served. Hours are coordinated between the family and the care provider to meet the needs of the individual and family.

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