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
In this episode, Lindsay Shea, DrPH, MS, Director of the Policy and Analytics Center at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and Associate Professor, discusses data-driven approaches to autism policy. Listeners will learn how data science can be used to reveal critical needs, shape policy initiatives, and inform population-level strategies that better support people with autism across the lifespan. Read more about Episode 35 of BoggsCast
Registration is Open for the Spring 2025 Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series Webinars
The Boggs Center’s Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series is a community and continuing education program provided for professionals, policymakers, individuals with disabilities, and family members to enhance their knowledge and skills in innovative approaches and state of the art practices for people with developmental disabilities. The webinars are free of charge. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Open to people who live or work in New Jersey.
Now Accepting Applications for NJLEND!
The Boggs Center is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 NJLEND Interdisciplinary Leadership Cohort. Part of a national network of Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities programs, NJLEND prepares graduate-level health and allied health fellows, advocates with disabilities, and family members to address and support the complex needs of children with autism, related disabilities, and other maternal and child health populations.
In this episode, Susanna Miller-Raines, MSW, Program Manager with Think College at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, discusses post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. Listeners will learn about higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, efforts to expand college access nationwide, and strategies to empower students and support families in pursuing inclusive post-secondary education experiences. Read more about Episode 34 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
Publications
Sharing Your Story: A Guide to Medicaid Advocacy
Medicaid provides funding for services that help millions of people with disabilities and their families across the country. “Sharing Your Story: A Guide to Medicaid Advocacy” has information to help you share your lived experience with policymakers so they understand the importance of Medicaid and the services it provides to people with disabilities. Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Gujarati, Japanese, Portuguese, and Tagalog, this guide explains how Medicaid works and commonly proposed threats, and offers tips for sharing your story along with a worksheet to help you plan your advocacy message. Read More About Sharing Your Story: A Guide to Medicaid Advocacy
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.
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.
