Welcome to The Boggs Center
About The CenterNew Jersey's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service
New Jersey's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program
Our Mission
The Boggs Center, as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, values uniqueness and individuality and promotes the self-determination and full participation of people with disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. As a catalyst and resource, The Boggs Center, through partnerships and collaborations, builds capacity in organizations, systems, and communities in a culturally competent manner. The Boggs Center prepares students through interdisciplinary programs, provides community training and technical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates information and educational materials.
News
Episode 33 of BoggsCast Now Available: Supported Decision-Making with Jan Lampman
In this episode, Jan Lampman, Owner & Consultant of Community Drive, shares both personal and professional experiences to illustrate the impact of Supported Decision-Making as an empowering alternative to guardianship. Listeners will learn about approaches to supported decision-making for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including practical advice and resources to promote autonomy and support informed choice. Read more about Episode 33 of BoggsCast
The Boggs Center Seeks Host Families to Share Experiences with Medical Students
Visits to families with children with developmental disabilities are a key component of the Seminar on Family Centered Care and Developmental Disabilities for Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson medical students, coordinated by The Boggs Center for over 30 years. The Boggs Center is currently seeking host families to share their lived experience with medical students participating in the Seminar. Read more about this opportunity
Carrie Coffield, PhD, Honored as Outstanding Professional of the Year by MyGOAL
Carrie Coffield, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Director of Pre-Service Training and NJLEND at The Boggs Center, was honored as Outstanding Professional of the Year at the 16th Annual MyGOAL Autism Gala on November 16, 2024.
Boggs Center Staff Present at Annual AUCD Conference
Several Boggs Center staff presented at the annual Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference held in Washington, DC from November 3rd to November 6th, 2024. The AUCD Conference brings together more than 1,100 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, professionals, advocates, community leaders, and students.
Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC, Presents at 41st Annual NADD Conference
Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC, Senior Training & Consultation Specialist at The Boggs Center, presented a workshop, “Enhancing Health Outcomes for Individuals with IDD” at the 41st NADD Annual Conference on October 9, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona.
Publications
Reverse Job Fair Planning Toolkit
Reverse job fairs provide an opportunity for job seekers with developmental disabilities to showcase their skills, experiences, and personalities in unique ways, and lead to more authentic conversations with employers about what they could bring to the job. This resource provides employment specialists with tools to organize a successful reverse job fair, including: a reverse job fair planning tool, marketing checklist, day of event materials checklist, day of event staffing list, and a reverse job fair participant checklist.
Deciding to Self-Direct: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered
The Boggs Center developed Deciding to Self-Direct, the latest guide in the Making Choices, Becoming Empowered series for people with developmental disabilities. People receiving support through NJ’s Division of Developmental Disabilities can choose to self-direct some or all of their services. Available in English and Spanish, this guide helps readers to think about their lives and whether self-directed services are right for them.
Vaccinate to Keep Kids Healthy! Fact Sheet and Poster
Preventing disease is always better than treating it. Vaccines protect against diseases that once caused serious illness, disability, and death, including COVID-19. With funding from the federal Administration for Community Living, The Boggs Center developed new resources for parents of young children to promote and explain the benefits of following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization recommendations to keep kids healthy. Vaccinate to Keep Kids Healthy! fact sheets in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Portuguese, and Tagalog, as well as an 11” x 17” English/Spanish poster, are now available on The Boggs Center’s website. Read More About Vaccinate to Keep Kids Healthy
Transition to Adulthood for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities: A Timeline for Parents
Transition to Adulthood for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities: A Timeline for Parents provides parents of young adults with developmental disabilities with a one-page overview of considerations in planning for the transition to adult life; national resources on transition topics; and New Jersey’s state agencies and the services they offer.
Selecting a Support Coordination Agency: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered
People receiving support through New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities are able to choose the agency they receive support coordination services from. Selecting a Support Coordination Agency: Making Choices, Becoming Empowered provides information and ideas that can help in the selection process. Available in English and Spanish.
