TOMS RIVER, N.J. – April 11, 2023 – PRLog — Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) is celebrating Autism Awareness throughout the month of April with a variety of internal and community events.

Internally, the OPC team is increasing awareness while raising funds for POAC Autism Services, providing a variety of services to youth, parents and families. Melinda Santiago-Owens, MA, IDD Certified, one of OPC’s Care Manager Supervisors worked closely with her team to design and develop several t-shirts and hoodies celebrating Autism Awareness. OPC staff purchase the shirts, with the proceeds going to POAC Autism Services. “I am so passionate about Autism Awareness and Acceptance, that I can’t wait until every April when we at OPC call attention to issues facing youth with autism, their parents and caregivers, and their families. I’m excited that we also get to raise funds for other community partners doing this work,” stated Santiago. OPC staff wear their t-shirts and hoodies every Tuesday in April for POSITIVI-TEE Tuesdays.

OPC will be participating in the Ocean County Library Autism Resources Fair taking place on April 15 from 10:00am – 3:00pm at the Toms River Branch (101 Washington St, Toms River). This event is open to the public. Members of the OPC team will be providing resources and information while making connections with other partners in the field. “We are so grateful to the Toms River Library for holding this event to celebrate April as Autism month and to not only increase awareness, but to provide needed resources and help”, stated Mary Jo Buchanan, LCSW, MPA, Executive Director of OPC.

“Events held during Autism Awareness month are critical to getting the word out to parents, caregivers and families with autistic youth or young adults,” stated Buchanan. “Often parents feel overwhelmed and do not know where to turn when they receive the diagnosis for their child. These types of events provide information, resources and connection not only with professionals, but with other parents and families experiencing similar challenges,” Buchanan continued.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national rate for children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder is 1 in 36 children. This statistic is based on their evaluation of health and educational records of 8-year-old children in 2020 in 11 states, including New Jersey. New Jersey now has the third highest rate of autism in the nation: 1 in 34 children, or 2.9% of 8-year-old children.

Over 25% of the youth that OPC provides care coordination for are on the autism spectrum. “Because of the prevalence of youth that OPC services on the autism spectrum, the agency is committed to not only providing care coordination, but also serving as a resource for parents, caregivers and families,” Buchanan noted. The agency has several care manager teams specializing in working with these youth and families, a regular roundtable is provided for consultation and training for the OPC care managers, and OPC staff participate in state roundtables to discuss specific youth needs and potential resources.

In addition to organizations like POAC and the Toms River Library, OPC actively participates with a variety of community agencies serving youth with autism. OPC staff participate in the I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) Subcommittee of the Ocean County Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC), which brings together all agencies serving youth with these challenges on a regular basis to discuss trends, needs and share resources. Additional resources provided by OPC include a full-time I/DD Specialist who assist families with applying for services through the Children’s System of Care and the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Connections program, a program for youth and young adults to help them make friends and focus on wellness.

“Each individual, family member, caregiver and friend experience autism differently. Today and every day, the OPC team works to celebrate the achievements of neurodiverse people and provide connections, education and resources to the community,” stated Buchanan.

For additional information about autism, please consider the following resources:

POAC Autism Services
poac.net/about-foundation

AUTISM NEW JERSEY
Information, education, and policy initiatives related to ASD
800-4-AUTISM
www.autismnj.org

NJ EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM
Services for children under the age of 3 years with developmental delays or disabilities
www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/

AUTISM FAMILY SERVICES OF NEW JERSEY
Support services for families living with ASD
877-237-4477
www.autismfamilyservicesnj.org

NJ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Special education services for school-aged children with disabilities
www.nj.gov/education/specialed/

MOM2MOM
24/7 peer-support for parents of children with special needs
877-914-6662
www.mom2mom.us.com

STATEWIDE PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK
Support for parents, including parents of children with special needs
800-654-7726
www.spannj.org

About Ocean Partnership for Children Inc.

Founded in 2005, Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) is Ocean County’s Care Management Organization (CMO). Its mission is to enhance the well-being of youth and their families through natural and community supports. OPC provides care coordination services for Ocean County youth up the age of 21 years who have mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges. OPC strives to keep children and adolescents at home, in school, and in the community by connecting them to resources that meet their unique needs and help them achieve their goals.

Ocean Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization available at no cost to all youth and families in Ocean County who meet the eligibility criteria of the New Jersey Children’s System of care. To learn more, visit https://www.oceanpartnership.org or oceanresourcenet.org.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Feb. 28, 2023 – PRLog — In addition to providing care management services, Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) has expanded to provide needed resources for youth and families in Ocean County. The agency recently received three important grants, two from the Ocean County Department of Human Services, Office for Individuals with Disabilities, and one from McKinney Vento funding through the Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission.

With an estimated combined total of $180,000 in grant funding, Mary Jo Buchanan, LCSW, MPA, Executive Director of OPC, said the organization is elated to have the opportunity to provide additional and continued support. “We are looking forward to working with individuals, families, the schools, and all of our provider agencies as we serve the youth of Ocean County in the best way possible and link them to the services needed,” Buchanan said.

This first program successfully funded through Ocean County helps families apply for Developmental Disabilities (DD) services through the Children’s System of Care and for Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) services in the adult system of care. Without the assistance of OPC’s Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Specialist, Corie Hometchko, MA, many families would struggle to complete the complicated applications, causing delays or resulting in not receiving critical services.

“It is our goal to make sure that the families feel supported and get what they need,” stated Ms. Hometchko. “I take the time to guide them through this very complicated application process and am committed to see them through until their applications are approved.”

The second grant, funded by Ocean County, supports OPC’s Connections Program, an on-going, one-of-a-kind program that helps youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities such as autism, selective mutism, or physical challenges. The Connections Program works to reduce social isolation and stigmatization for those diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities through activities, mindfulness, focus on health, and of course, connecting them to each other.

From one of the Connections youth throwing out the first pitch at a Blue Claws game to participants creating art and holding an exhibition with the help of the Toms River Artist Community, Connections members blossom from start to finish. Liz Menges, LPC, Assistant Director of Clinical Operations, shared several success stories. “We had one youth, who when he initially started was all over the room and needed 1:1 attention. After 8 sessions, he was able to sit and engage with peers and facilitators with his full participation and focus, no longer requiring a 1:1,” Menges said. “One of our youth graduated from the program and is now one of our volunteer facilitators!”

The third grant OPC received directly supports the School Homeless Services Navigator Program. This new program is funded by McKinney Vento Funds through the American Rescue Plan. The School Homeless Services Navigator Program helps any youth facing housing issues or homelessness in Ocean County. Within each school in the County, there is a School Homeless Liaison that works with the Service Navigator to identify and refer students in need. With close to 20 referrals in 2023 so far, Alyssa Brantley, OPC’s Navigator, has already started to work with the schools. “The need for this program is evidenced by the numbers of youth and families coming to me with housing struggles,” Brantley said.

With the funding received, OPC continues to develop innovative services and programs needed in Ocean County. “We are grateful to all of the funders for their incredible support,” Buchanan said.

About Ocean Partnership for Children Inc.
Founded in 2005, Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) is Ocean County’s Care Management Organization (CMO). Its mission is to enhance the well-being of youth and their families through natural and community supports. OPC provides care coordination services for Ocean County youth up the age of 21 years who have mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges. OPC strives to keep children and adolescents at home, in school, and in the community by connecting them to resources that meet their unique needs and help them achieve their goals.
Ocean Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization available at no cost to all youth and families in Ocean County who meet the eligibility criteria of the New Jersey Children’s System of care. To learn more, visit https://www.oceanpartnership.org or
https://www.oceanresourcenet.org.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Nov. 23, 2022 – PRLog — Ocean Partnership for Children’s (OPC) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee held a Multicultural Potluck Feast on November 14 to celebrate the nonprofit’s rich diversity during the holiday season.

“We are so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate the variety of cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities of our staff, as well as the foods that correlate with those respective backgrounds,” said Mary Jo Buchanan, Executive Director of OPC.  “Thank you to the DEI committee and everyone who participated in this exciting event.”

OPC staff presented various dishes at the event and shared the meaning behind the dish with the team. “Our team members shared about their family, culture and beliefs – whatever was meaningful to them,” Buchanan added.

One staffer’s Ukrainian heritage helped to shape who he was today. “It was especially meaningful because some of his family was impacted by the current war in Ukraine,” said Buchanan.

Another staffer shared a photo of her family going to a local farm to cut down a fresh Christmas tree and afterwards spending the day decorating it together.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is also a mainstay for many OPC team members.

Instead of turkey on Thanksgiving, one staffer eats pernil, which is pork shoulder. “The pork is marinated for days, and it takes all day to bake,” Buchanan said.

Jolloff rice is a West African tradition. “One of our staff members is Ghanaian and that’s what he brought,” Buchanan added.

Then there were the desserts – most of them heavenly.

Arroz con dulce, which translates to rice with candy, was definitely a crowd pleaser. So was the coquito, which is Puerto Rican Egg Nog.

Buchanan shared of her own heritage and Pennsylvania Dutch roots. “I brought shoofly pie and whoopie pies made by a bakery I love in Lancaster,” she added.

Kate Martinez, an OPC Care Manager Supervisor, helped organize the event. “Thank you to everyone who participated in our potluck,” she said. “It is a treasure to get to know you all and celebrate our cultures together over a feast.”

The event came after OPC’s released its official statement regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.

“They are more than just words for us,” according to OPC. “They are the definitive principles that guide how we serve youth and families and cultivate community relationships…”

Buchanan says that OPC is committed to developing an agency and community where all individuals feel safe being present as their authentic, whole selves and to challenging those systems, institutions, and practices that do not support this goal.

“We strive to educate and foster equal opportunities that promote growth for all while ensuring every individual is included and has a voice,” said Buchanan. “At OPC, we find that we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more understanding, and more capable of change.”

Thanks to corporate team building events like OPC’s recent multicultural potluck feast, those voices are heard and celebrated.

About Ocean Partnership for Children Inc.

Founded in 2005, Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) is Ocean County’s Care Management Organization (CMO). Its mission is to enhance the well-being of youth and their families through natural and community supports. OPC provides care management services for Ocean County youth up to the age of 21 years who have mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges.  OPC strives to keep children and adolescents at home, in school, and in the community by connecting them to resources that meet their unique needs and help them achieve their goals.

Ocean Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization available at no cost to all youth and families in Ocean County who meet the eligibility criteria of the New Jersey Children’s System of Care. To learn more, visit www.oceanpartnership.org or https://www.oceanresourcenet.org.