NJACP is grateful to Alternatives for hosting the two Assemblywomen from District 11, representing portions of Monmouth County, for a group home visit November 13. NJACP Director of Government Affairs and Communications, Maureen Shea, joined Alternatives President and CEO Derek Hodkey, Carolyn Suero, VP of Admissions and Development and member of the NJACP Board of Directors, Frescia Skoczypec, VP of Services, Chistina DeMetro, AVP of Services and a member of NJACP’s Legislative and Policy committee, and additional staff serving individuals in the group home for a productive meeting with Assemblywomen Luann Peterpaul and Andrea Donlon.

Assemblywoman Peterpaul serves on the Assembly Aging and Human Services committee and Assemblywoman Andrea Donlon, MD, serves on the Assembly Health committee. Many bills of interest to people with IDD are assigned to the Assembly Aging and Human Services committee and the Assembly Health committee oversees intersecting issues as well.

Alternatives staff, as at all their site visits with legislators, presented issues and specific examples to the legislators to illustrate how critical it is to enact legislation that will not result in the weakening of the system serving people with IDD. NJACP supports efforts that strengthen and will positively impact individual’s health and safety, and in this effort, discussed a bill proposal to introduce The Safe Hiring Act. NJACP is greatly appreciative for the wealth of knowledge and the obvious dedication of the Alternative’s staff to the people they serve and for the legislators taking the time to visit and tour the group home. 

Thank you!