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About Us

Mission

The mission of ABCD, an association of non-profit organizations, is to affect the development and implementation of public policy and to support the member organizations whose specific purpose is to improve the lives of people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities so that they have the opportunity to attain the highest level of purpose and dignity.

ABCD activites to achieve this mission include:

• To advocate on issues critical to the interests of people with disabilities and their families;
• To provide technical assistance and support needed to preserve and enhance services;
• To provide information and educational support through a network of participating New Jersey organizations serving this population; and
• To conduct analysis/research activities that may directly or indirectly benefit people served by member agencies.
  

History

ABCD was founded in 1995 by a coalition of six provider agencies concerned about improving the lives of people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities. Since 1995, ABCD has experienced tremendous growth and has led many efforts as a strong advocate in several priority areas, including Early Intervention, special education, Medicaid, workforce development, and affordable and accessible housing. This year, ABCD continues its leadership in advocacy efforts including serving on the Steering Committee for the Cost of Providing Care Coalition , advancing legislation for a Medicaid buy-in program for children with disabilities, and offering recommendations for the Governor's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget. As we look towards our next milestone, ABCD will continue its efforts of advocacy, progress, and change to represent its agencies and those they serve in order to advance and protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey.

Staff Bios

Lowell Arye, Executive Director: Lowell@abcdnj.org

Lowell served for six years at the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on Aging. He also served as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Program Officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts and directed the operations of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Health Policy.
He is an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Masters in Science of Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Emily Kronenberger, Policy Analyst: emily@abcdnj.org

Prior to her appointment as Policy Analyst, Emily served as ABCD's Legislative Associate. Prior to joining ABCD, Emily worked in financial services as a Legal and Compliance Analyst and lived in New York City. While in New York, Emily also worked on issues of public health and youth empowerment through her advocacy work at various non-profit organizations, including the YWCA-NYC, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Brain Trauma Foundation. In 2007, she received her Master of Science in Urban Studies from Hunter College Graduate School after completing an independent study on urban youth at the National Sexuality Resource Center in San Francisco.

Abigail Odoi, Legislative Associate: abigail@abcdnj.org

Before joining ABCD, Abigail worked in Human Services as an Employment Specialist in Pennsylvania and Virginia. While working on her MA in Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in Brighton, UK, she served as a Resource Coordinator for Maternity Worldwide. Abigail also worked with World Vision International's Ghana office as an intern on education, poverty reduction, microfinance, and gender initiatives. In 2006, Abigail received her Master of Arts in Gender and Development.

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