Lorraine Travaglione, Director
The Citizen Advocacy Program is a community support system for individuals with developmental disabilities who are not able to advocate on their own behalf.
Through professional Case Advocacy Services and One-to-One Volunteer Advocacy, the Program ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the supports and services that will enable them to be independent and integrated members of their community.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The Program's Case Advocacy and One-to-One Volunteer Advocacy services are provided free of charge to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and epilepsy who are residents of Burlington, Camden or Gloucester Counties.
Individuals may apply or be referred by any member of the community by contacting the Citizen Advocacy Program at 609.267.5880.
CASE ADVOCACY SERVICES
Case Advocacy is provided by professional social workers and includes (1) assessment of client needs, (2) identification and initiation of appropriate services and (3) coordination of services and community supports.
The program's social workers assist individuals to access any services that will help them to live successfully in the community by:
- scheduling
- appointments for various services
- completing application forms for state, county or private services
- interpreting agency regulations
- locating appropriate community resources
- advocating for entitled benefits
ONE-TO-ONE VOLUNTEER ADVOCACY
Volunteer Advocates are members of the community who work one-to-one with individuals who have developmental disabilities, supporting them in their efforts to become independent, contributing members of their community.
A Volunteer Advocate might help an individual learn to:
- read
- participate in a new sport
- cook
- count money
- resolve a problem
- become an active member of their community
Click on a link below to view and download The Advocate's Voice, a newsletter for Volunteer Advocates.
September 2010
May 2010
February 2010
October 2009
You can make a difference! By volunteering just a few hours a month you can make a real difference in the life of a person with a developmental disability. Hours are very flexible and are scheduled to accomodate the volunteer's schedule.
Contact the Citizen Advocacy Program today to learn more about becoming a Volunteer Advocate, or download theVolunteer Advocate Application.
What people are saying about Citizen Advocacy
"There are so many clients who would have fallen through the cracks and been without housing, medical services, money to live on, or vocational services if Citizen Advocacy was not there to help them through the system. We can honestly say that your intervention has made a noticeable difference in our clients. Clients that felt helpless and lost now feel a sense of security and stability in their lives due to your support and caring efforts."
Karen Elliott, Burlington County Occupational Training Center
"As a mother, teacher, church and community member, I find myself asked to do many types of volunteer work. Of the many opportunities I have had, I feel that being a volunteer advocate has been one of the most rewarding experiences. It is both personally enriching and also allows my family to gain new perspectives on people with disabilities."
Kathy Donnelly, Volunteer Advocate
Citizen Advocacy is a special program of The Arc of New Jersey and funding is provided by the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and private donations.
