Parents and families will be able to learn about local and county resources for those living with a disability on March 5
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School will be the host of a special education community fair put on by parent advisory groups from Clearview Regional, Mantua and Harrison Township school districts on March 5.
The fair, said Nathan Barnes, director of special services at Clearview Regional, will host a wide variety of resources for families.
Families can receive information about different sport clubs and activities such as TOP Sports Harrison, unified sport teams and adaptive programs such as sled hockey; therapeutic services such as the FURever As Friends program from the Mullica Hill Branch Library; transitional services for those aging out of high school (18 or 21 year olds); and informational booths on all other aspects.
“It’s for anyone,” said Barnes. This is our second fair, and I ran it in Deptford, and so it’s really for everyone to attend. It’s for families and the families can bring the kids and there will be activities for them.”
Barnes said any family from any district or county is welcome to stop by as resources from Camden and Gloucester counties will be present.
The event received its start when Barnes was working at the Deptford Township School District and came across a family of a child with special needs. He added the mother said she loved having her child participate in a study group, but wished there was something available to connect families with similar groups.
Barnes said the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Division of Developmental Disabilities representatives will be present for state-level resources. The vocational service will provide information for students transitioning out of high school with employment such as applying for jobs and job training. The division of developmental disabilities, he said, connects students with various service and funding for Medicare and Medicaid.
Stephanie Logan and Lori Hynes from Mantua and Harrison, respectively, he added, will be available to offer information to district parents.
Approximately 30 vendors are expected to attend on March 5, and Barnes added all families should seek to attend, even if they believe there won’t be something available for them.
“We encourage everyone to come out and talk because the vendors are connected with one another and they could lead the parents to an agency that does what they want,” he said. He added if a parent does attend and doesn’t find anything, they can note it on a survey for consideration for a future resource fair.
The fair is scheduled to occur at J. Mason Tomlin School in Mantua from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Signage will be available for those unfamiliar with the school. More information can be found at www.ClearviewRegional.edu and selecting “child study team” within the administration tab from the menu.
If any parents are unable to attend, Barnes said they can reach out to his office at (856) 222–2760.
