CHILDREN'S SYSTEM OF CARE: CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Many states have a children's system of care for children with mental health issues, and some cover intellectual/developmental disabilities as well. PerformCare NJ camp programs can serve as a model program for other states.
BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A.
WHAT IS PERFORMCARE?
PerformCare NJ is the contracted system administrator for the Children's System of Care (CSOC) in the state. PerformCare is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week for families. They help connect families of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) or those with mental health issues to needed services for their child and supports for their family. PerformCare also offers access to mobile response for crisis stabilization that will go to where the child is, including home, school, camp, and other community settings, with parental consent. There are also Family Support Organizations (FSOs) in each county to support parents.
HOW DO FAMILIES APPLY?
There is an online or paper application for parents to apply. There is a separate application for children with I/DD and one for mental health. However, there is special consideration in the application process for children who may have both I/DD and mental illness.
PERFORMCARE NJ CAMPS
PerformCare has a listing of approved camps. These camps can be typical camps that are available for all children, inclusive camps that offer special supports for children with disabilities, or camps that are specifically for children with special needs. Camps can cover summer break or just the time needed outside of Extended School Year (ESY). ESY is an IEP (Individualized Education Program) team decision which includes parents. If families think their child may need ESY, free help is available from Parent Training and Information Centers.
The list of approved camps helps families by providing information on different types of camps that are available in their area. Children with I/DD can get a stipend to attend camp. There is also separate funding for children with mental health issues.
WHEN EXTRA HELP IS NEEDED
One of the unique things about PerformCare NJ camps is that they offer one-to-one assistance. Again, PerformCare has a listing of approved agencies for families. Often, having an aide may make the difference between being able to participate in a typical camp or not. The decision for one-to-one help is made by both the camp and family. One-to-one aides will only be provided for approved camps.
PerformCare NJ camp services for children with I/DD and/or mental illness can be replicated in other states. In this way, families of children with disabilities can find a camp with opportunities for exercise and peer relationships for their child with special needs.•
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Agoratus, M.A. is the parent of a young adult with multiple disabilities. She serves as the State Coordinator for Family Voices-NJ and as the central/southern coordinator in her state's Family-to-Family Health Information Center. FVNJ, the NJ F2FHIC, and the FFCMH State Organization, are all housed at the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) at spanadvocacy.org
PITCHING CAMP : RESOURCES FOR INCLUSIVE CAMPS AND SPECIAL SUPPORT
STATE BEHAVIORAL AND WELLNESS RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES childwelfare.gov/organizations/?CWIGFunctionsaction=rols:main.dspList&rolType=Cu stom&RS_ID=33
PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION (PTI) CENTERS INFORMATION ON EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY) Find Your Parent Center parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center Extended School Year parentcenterhub.org/esy-services-beyond-the-school-year-for-students-with-ieps
PERFORMCARE NJ How to Apply/Eligibility performcarenj.org/families/disability/determination-eligibility.aspx Camp Information, including aides performcarenj.org/families/disability/summer-camp.aspx
SPAN PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in After-School and Summer Programs spanadvocacy.org/download/inclusion-of-children-with-special-needs-in-after- school-and-summer-program