About Us

About Us

The Association for Special Children and Families (ASCF) is a community-based organization for families of children with disabilities. We were founded by a small group of dedicated parents who wanted to assist other parents in the challenging role of parenting and educating a child with a disability.

We have been here since 1978 helping and supporting parents who have children with disabilities.  At the beginning we were all volunteer parents who operated on small donations. Now we are a powerful force of 9 staff, community volunteers and partner agencies who work together toward a common goal of helping children with special needs reach achieve their full potential. Activities are financed by state, county and federal agencies, local community groups and individual donations. ASCF serves as the Highlands Parent Center, the first and only community parents resource center in New Jersey, funded by the Office of special Education (OSEP), US Department of Education. We are proud of what we have achieved and excited about what is to come.

Our mission is to empower and support families to raise all their  children to reach their full potential.  Our vision is that all individuals are included in their communities.

The Association for Special Children and Families

• Educates parents about their rights on how to ensure that their child’s special education specific needs are being met
• Empowers parents so they may effectively advocate for their own child
• Strengthens partnership with professionals and agencies who support children with special needs
• Fosters collaboration between parents and schools
• Provides information and resources to families, agencies and communities

Board of Trustees:

ASCF is governed by a Board of parents and professionals.  The majority are parents of children and youth with disabilities.

President - Dennis McCartney

Vice President - Andrew Abdul

Secretary -  Liz Pordon

Treasurer - Susan Fowler

Trustees -

Dr. Sylvia Linderman

Debbie Legutko

Pat Kaminskyj

Kathy Dehn

Nydia Gonzalez-Affinito

Lori-Anne Michele

Lisa Smolinski

Donna Vanderlinden

Rachel Youngren

Gina McCloskey

Glynis Drakeford

Staff:

We welcome families, school personnel and agencies to contact our staff and get to know them.

Angela Abdul, ASCF Executive Director, Co-Director of Highlands Parent Center

Julie Rikon, Co-Director of Highlands Parent Center

Cyndy Hopper, Family Support Specialist, Outreach Coordinator

Judy Bassford,  Family Support Specialist, Training Coordinator

Edith Felix, Intake Specialist

Catherine Grisbacher, MSW, LSW, Social Worker

Connie Coulson, Early Intervention Specialist

Jeannine Perry,  Information Technology Specialist

HIGHLANDS PARENT CENTER

Our Highlands Parent Center is in its second year as a community parent resource center (CPRC). It is funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. This program supports families of babies, children and youth with the full range of disabilities living in West Milford, Ringwood, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale, Wanaque, Jefferson, Hamburg, and Vernon.

The major purposes of Highlands are:                                                                   

 (1) To strengthen and support parents to nurture and advocate for their children to receive an education that prepares them to become productive, independent adults of our communities

(2) To partner with schools, early intervention and community agencies to build understanding about disabilities and special education

(3) To connect families, schools, early intervention and agencies in cooperative experiences

Highlands Parent Center builds on the family’s strengths and fosters their self-sufficiency so that they can seize their dream for their children to lead productive, independent adult lives to the greatest degree possible.

Objectives are

• To locate unserved families of children with disabilities in order to inform, educate and support them
• To increase parents’ capacity to participate effectively in achieving quality educational outcomes for their child
• To assist parents in becoming parent leaders
• To disseminate high quality, research-based information
• To create a more inclusive, accepting community

The services provided are an advocacy Helpline, Family Support Groups, Parenting Skills sessions, Advocacy Workshops and Teleconferences, Parent Leadership Trainings, Direct Advocacy Support, Community Awareness activities, IEP Reviews, Parent Peer Support, a Community Advisory Council, Information Packets, a Website, Newsletters, and more.

In a phone survey, 96% of parents we served felt that our services were “useful”.

After attending many of our trainings, a professional who is also a parent of a child with a disability said, “Being informed as a parent allows me to be a strong advocate not only for my child but for many other children that don’t have a support system. It allows me to help other parents and to make informed decisions for self-determination for their children.  Keep up the good work.” A parent who attends our support group said, “I no longer feel alone because I have others to talk to who really understand.”

Join us at any of services our activities and let us help you become your child’s best advocate.

PARTNERS

The Partners program is sponsored by the Association for Special Children and Families (ASCF) with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities  (NJCDD). It runs from October 2010 to September 2011.

The aim is to improve the capacity of victim services, disability support agencies and the educational community to provide a continuum of appropriate services to families of children with developmental disabilities living at shelters for families affected by domestic violence. It offers trainings and technical assistance to shelter staff on working with children with disabilities.

The purpose is for these youngsters to be appropriately educated in order to reach their full potential and lead independent lives, to direct their own choices and to become self-sufficient.

Partners is preparing a manual of best practices to assist shelters and agencies working with this special population

 Contact Us form, and we will be in touch with you.