Services - DAWNcil

As mandated by the Rehabilitation Act, we must provide the following 4 core services:

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
We maintain comprehensive files on the services available to people with disabilities in the community and refer the individual appropriately. Services may include housing, transportation, personal assistants, employment, interpreter services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, assistive technology, and more.

PEER SUPPORT
Opportunities are made available to members through social or educational activities to meet and support other members. Members are encouraged to continue this support outside of the organizational activities.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING
Educational seminars are offered periodically to members to enhance their knowledge of programs, services, benefits and entitlements that may assist them in their goal of living independently. Individualized assistance is provided as needed and available on issues such as money management, self-advocacy and more.

ADVOCACY
We facilitate opportunities for members to collaborate with other community groups, to advocate for systems change to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. DAWN also provides individual consumer advocacy, which involves trained staff or volunteers directly assisting an individual in addressing issues of discrimination. If needed, a referral may be made to a legal provider.

Other Activities that DAWN Offers

Promoting Self-Advocacy: STEP-Up (Student Transition Empowerment Program -Unlimited Possibilities)
A project funded by the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the New Jersey Department of Education to promote self-advocacy skills amongst students and to increase students' knowledge of rights, responsibilities and resources as they transition from school to adult life.

SAIL(Self- Advocacy Institute for Leadership):
A project funded by United Way of Morris County to provide classified students ages 13-21 with a 10 week - interactive learning experience addressing issues of self-advocacy, accessing community services, realistic goal-setting, understanding personal learning styles, and more. This after school program is provided in select settings throughout Morris county.

Career Gateway:
Through 2010, a project that provides the structure students 18 to 25 need to become self-sufficent. They will learn numerous life-skills such as resume writing, budgeting, mastering transportation, interviewing skills and social interaction. It also gives students the chance to check out a variety of job experiences to help them decide what they want to do with the next step of their lives.
For further information regarding STEP-Up, SAIL or Career Gateway, please contact Helen Bradfield at hbradfield@dawncil.org or call 973 (625-1940).

ADRC: The goal of this pilot project is to create a seamless system whereby persons with disabilities under the age of 65 can access programs and services with ease as those that are over the age of 65. Warren County only.

Nursing Home Transition: Collaboration with other social service agencies to provide support and services to individuals currently residing in nursing facilities who wish to transition to the community.

Traumatic Brain Injury program: In collaboration with the Division of Disability Services, individuals are assisted with creating a support plan for financial assistance through the fund.

Recreation: DAWN sponsors a variety of recreation events throughout the year for adults ages 25 and up. Transportation is made available to attendees as needed. (for current schedule see: Recreation Schedule)

Young Adult Recreation: DAWN provides recreation and socialization in an integrated setting to young adults, ages 16-25. The goal of this program is to provide young adults with disabilities to participate in typical activities with their non-disabled peers. (For the current calendar of events, please see: Young Adult Schedule)

Membership Meetings: The membership meets to listen to a guest speaker, learn a new skill, conduct business, or socialize. (for current schedule see: Meeting Schedule)

School Outreach: A program that educates children on understanding disabilities and acceptance of all people's differences. This program is available based on agency's ability to gather speakers. If you are interested in having this presentation made to your group, please contact us at info@dawncil.org. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

IEP Support: Provide technical support to parent and student to ensure IDEA is implemented.

Living Well with a Disability: is an eight-week health promotion workshop for people with disabilities that highlights the link between health and participation. Living Well provides a process for setting, clarifying, monitoring and attaining self-selected goals.

AKTION Club: A partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Morris County, DAWN serves as the host for this club which provides an opportunity for youth 18 and over to develop leadership skills, provide community service to others, and engage in social activities.

Next Chapter Book Club: Weekly social gatherings for youth to enhance their reading skills, social skills and money management skills in a social setting.

Game Night: A great way to socialize, see old and new friends, and try out the Wii! Join us for snacks, Karaoke, video games, and good company. Game Night is 6-9 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of every month at the DAWN office, 30 Broad St. Suite 5, Denville, NJ 07834.

Created on 05/25/2008 07:17 PM by nnjdisab
Updated on 07/15/2010 11:16 AM by marcmolde

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