Amid growing budget uncertainty at both the state and federal levels, the original, founding organizations of the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus hosted a virtual educational session on April 22 to brief Caucus members on the potential of funding cuts on their agencies and the individuals they serve. While the Caucus’ quarterly meetings are typically led by one of its four legislative co-chairs—Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn— this session was notably turned over to the founding agencies. With budget concerns top of mind for the disability community, the shift allowed these organizations to spotlight their missions and elevate the urgent funding priorities critical to sustaining essential services for individuals with disabilities across New Jersey.

Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, played a dual role during the session—both as facilitator and as a powerful advocate, warning of the devastating consequences that federal Medicaid cuts would have on essential services for individuals with disabilities in New Jersey. A respected leader in the policy arena, Witowsky brings more than professional expertise to the Caucus. She is also the mother of an adult daughter living with the lasting effects of a severe brain injury caused by a stroke. Her voice lent both urgency and authenticity to the conversation, underscoring the real-life impact of budget decisions on families across the state.

“In my leadership role at NJCDD, I’ve heard from family members from across the state panicked about the potential of federal Medicaid cuts and what it would mean for the critical supports their loved ones rely upon to live in the community. I know exactly how they are feeling. It’s keeping me up at night, too,” she said.

Paul Aronsohn, New Jersey’s Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, emphasized the significance of the Caucus as a platform for elevating the voices of the disability community and fostering meaningful dialogue between advocates and lawmakers. Highlighting the significance of this meeting, he stated: “Thanks to NJCDD and the Legislative Disability Caucus for organizing such an important and timely discussion. This is a critical time for New Jersey’s disability community – one that requires us to work together, as partners, to meet the moment and to meet the needs of individuals and families across our State. Now, more than ever.”

In addition to Witowsky and Aronsohn, the following leaders also presented to the Caucus:

Sharon Levine, Senior Director Governmental Affairs & Communications
The Arc of New Jersey

Devin Baker, Deputy Public Policy Director
Autism New Jersey

Colleen Roche, Chair
New Jersey State Independent Living Council

Colleen McLaughlin, Deputy Director
The Boggs Center on Disabilities and Human Development, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Gwen Orlowski, Executive Director
Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)

Carolyn Hayer, Executive Director
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Shauna Moses, Vice President Public Affairs & Member Services
New Jersey Association of Mental Health & Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA)

Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs
Brain Injury Alliance

Kate Kelly, Executive Director
Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey

Valerie Sellers, CEO
The New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP)

Cathy Chin, Executive Director
The Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD)

Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director
New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

To view a recording of the April 22 Caucus Meeting visit: https://youtu.be/E1c9r4aD4OE

About the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus: The Caucus was formed December 1, 2020, and serves as a bipartisan forum within the New Jersey Legislature for lawmakers and their staff to consider the impact on the disability community when shaping ALL public policies in the Garden State. The Caucus is co-chaired by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-29), Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-6), Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25). Participation in the Caucus is open to all legislators who agree to be champions for individuals with disabilities in New Jersey by meeting with them in their district offices; participate in the quarterly education forums; and promote policies to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. People with disabilities, their families and organizations that serve, support and advocate for people with disabilities in the Garden State serve as a resource for the NJ Legislative Disability Caucus. For more information about the Caucus and to get involved, visit https://njcdd.org/legislative-disability-caucus/.