Page 36 - The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition September 2012

PAGE 36 THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION SEPTEMBER 2012
Warren will soon be home to a new,
state-of-the-art housing solution for
moderate and high functioning
adults with autism, developmental
disabilities and traumatic brain
injuries. Mt. Bethel Village, located
at 130 Mt. Bethel Road, is current-
ly under construction and expected
to be completed in October, 2012.
Mt. Bethel Village will house 41
people in a highly supportive envi-
ronment that will emphasize their
independence. Each resident will
have his/her own apartment and be
presented with a rich array of activ-
ities and supports designed to max-
imize their safety, comfort and
enjoyment of life.
Warren Mayor Carolann Garafola is
the Executive Director of the new
facility and says there is a tremen-
dous need for housing for adults
with special needs.
“There are currently thousands of
families in New Jersey on waiting
lists for group home placements,”
said Mrs. Garafola. “Many parents
of these residents are aging them-
selves and losing the capacity to
care for their adult children. They
fear they will die themselves before
their children are placed in group
homes, or face institutionalization.
Mt. Bethel Village seeks to provide
an alternative for some of these
families.”
Mt. Bethel Village will provide
extensive social skills training and
counseling supports, higher-level
life skills training, exposure to
employment opportunities, case
management and health services.
Staff support will be available 24
hours a day, 365 days a year, includ-
ing the services of a nurse, behavior
specialist, physical and occupational
therapists and a recreation director.
Each prospective resident will be
assessed for function and behavior.
Residents will be required to be
semi-independent, be able to com-
municate and have minimal behav-
ioral issues.
In addition to the residential pro -
gram, the Mt. Bethel Village Day
Program will offer a place for adults
with autism, developmental disabil -
ities and traumatic brain injuries to
spend a day engaged in self-directed
activities that include dance, music,
art, physical fitness, computer lab,
men’s and women’s clubs, garden -
ing and discussions of current
affairs. Again, prospective members
will be required to have enough
independence and communication
skills to make their own way with
prompting by staff.
Applications for both the Mt.
Bethel Village residential program
and Mt. Bethel Day Program are
now being taken.
More information is available a t
www.mtbethelvillage.com, where
you may also contact Carolann
Garafola for an interview.
New Housing Solutions for Adults with
Autism, Developmental Disabilities and
Traumatic Brain Injuries
www.theconnectionsnj.com