Stimulus 2020 and Unemployment

We should all feel for the workers out there risking themselves working essential services for the rest of the population.  Some work in Supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices, hospitals, labs, banks, take-outs, or as home health aides and caregivers, etc.

Some of these workers are part-time and may only make $200. a week or so.   These people will not be getting the unemployment stimulus that many are getting in our Country which will give them their unemployment plus an extra $600. a week.

Imagine getting $175. in p/t unemployment plus a $600. a week bonus totaling $775. for sitting home doing nothing or just watching TV and snacking.  This will be a 4 month weekly bonus with an extended 39 week unemployment allowance.

People of higher incomes will get up to $713. in NJ unemployment plus the $600. a week bonus and they may still be getting less than what they previously made.

The stimulus left out much of the disabled population and kids over 16.  It does not give anything for higher income workers who are on the front line risking themselves full time for everyone else’s essentials or medical needs.

The Stimulus 2020 was not very well thought out.

NJ SUPPORT COORDINATION - Featuring Anthony, a rising young Artist with Disabilities

Congratulations Anthony on your success:

NJ SUPPORT COORDINATION is highlighting Anthony Zachares as our "THROWBACK THURSDAY" for this weeks segment! Look back on Wednesday, March 1st as we share our "Spotlight Wednesday" segment on Anthony. Your will be amazed at this young man's talent!!

https://www.facebook.com/njsupportcoordination/

Police and Autism

With all the bad publicity about the police and the shootings that have occurred lately giving them a negative image, I have to shed light on the positive side of the police.

I have heard of horror stories of Disabled and Autistic people having serious encounters with the police.  Many of these tragedies are due to poor training and ignorance to the disability.

I want to commend the police departments who respond to the severely disabled Autistic people in Sussex and Warren County, New Jersey.

The Sparta, NJ Police Department has done a wonderful job with the Students and Adult Training Program Clients. 

The Warren/Sussex County State Police have been superb in their response to the Group Home Residents and handling the situations they are faced with.

Amazingly, these Police forces have been very well trained for this intense job.  They have been patient, understanding, and very helpful with the Autistic population.  They have handled the situations without causing any harm to this vulnerable and difficult population. 

These forces have had to respond to many Crisis situations that were very extreme and they have done everything in their power to handle the situation with regard to preserving precious human life and without causing harm to any Autistic child.

I am very impressed with how much they care and I hope they keep up the great work.

I want to thank them for all they have done and continue to do for people with Autism.

Autism and Jury Duty

My daughter was recently sent a notice to report for Jury Duty.  Unfortunately, she has a form of High Functioning Autism.  She also looks and behaves on a much younger lever than her chronological age.  Anxiety is a prominent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

I could not imagine how she could sit through Jury Duty and "judge" someone with this diagnosis.  She is very intelligent and creative.  The problem with Autism is a lack of "interpretation of reality".  This is not a good condition to have when judging someone on trial for whatever reason. 

I could not have imagined how the County discovered her as she does not have a driver's license or an IRS statement.  The one thing was that she applied for Voter Registration while in school.  I read that this is one of the items they go by to call you. 

With the crime rate so high in certain counties in NJ and the increase in crime here in general, over the years, there is a high demand for numerous jurors obviously.  There does not seem to be enough of a population of "eligible" jurors available unfortunately. 

I was able to get her excused with a letter from her DDD Case Manager.  It was not logical to subject my daughter to the tough judicial system, especially because she is so innocent and naive.  She would not have lasted long and probably would have broken down, which is part of her condition. 

It is too bad we do not have a better way of going about our judicial process and not depend on people who are not literate in the legal system.  Instead of random people picked against their will and forced into this because of a claim that "it is their duty to judge"...we should have people chosen willingly, who have an interest, who are educated to some level about our laws, and who are more qualified to pass judgment.
This would make the cases flow through the system more quickly and fluently and save money.  The money saved could be used to pay a livable wage to these jurors.

Our legal system needs to be updated and more innovative. 

New Jersey Budget Cuts Affect the Disabled in a Cruel Way

The New Jersey budget cuts for 2010 will negatively affect helpless, vulnerable, disabled children and adults in a cruel way. I am the mother of a son with severe Autism placed in a New Jersey group home. The Governor wants to strip these residents of all their SSI checks.

For the last 8 years, 75% of the SSI check was taken by the State, leaving only 25% for their PNA, Guardianship Fee, and a small amount remained. This small amount that remained allowed home visits with the family for extended periods, purchase of clothing for the client, grooming money, and recreation and entertainment money. This was in the best interest of the loved one.

By the State of NJ taking all the SSI check and compensating by an increased PNA allowance of $100.00, up from $40.00 is not in the clients best interest as the money would go to the placement itself with no control by the parent/guardian.

These Group Homes for these severely disabled children and adults do not efficiently meet the needs of the clients. Money is wasted, used inappropriately, and their needs are not met. I have to cut my son's hair myself. His nails brake off because they do not cut them. He often comes home in 2 different undersized socks and someone else's underwear. You have to be constantly monitoring the Group Home and provide for your child.

The most important thing for the severely disabled person is family involvement. I take my son home 2 1/2 to 3 months out of the year and they allow me. It relieves the home of some of the burden because these clients are very behaviorally involved.

Why is Governor Christie so cruel as to take from the most vulnerable of the population? New Jersey has an obligtion to my son and his family to take care of his needs because he was born here and was disabled here. I blame the toxic enviornment he was born in -- New Jersey -- that made him this way. Why strip him of his petty cash that we depend on for family support to meet his needs?

The Governor is heartless. He never tasted tradgedy. It is so painful to have a severely disabled child that you become numb to everything. But, taking a sick child's petty money that means so much to his mental and physical well being is lower than low.

Where is the Governor's sacrafice and his highly paid staff's sacrafice? They are all well fed and well suited and well taken care of with taxpayer's money. Can't he leave well enough alone for the sake of a severly disabled child with Autism?


UPDATE: After writing several politicians, all with positive results, disabled children and adults WIN !!!