How EPIC Helps

Participants engage in hands-on workshops, receive personalized guidance, and access a network of support systems. By empowering families to advocate for themselves, EPIC helps remove barriers and ensures that Black New Jerseyans with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives. This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing support gaps and building an informed community.

Grant Project in Action

three black children with various disabilities at school

The NJ Black Disability Initiative created a school-based program designed specifically to support Black New Jersey students with a range of disabilities and their families in accessing important information about available services. This program focuses on students ages 14-25, helping them and their families understand and overcome the challenges they may face when finding resources.

How It Began

EPIC: Building a Village of Support was first piloted in four NJ school districts from 2022-2024. At the program's start, students and families participated in interviews to discuss their experiences and identify barriers that made finding help difficult. By sharing these insights, families helped the program staff understand their unique needs and create better ways for students to advocate for themselves and seek needed services.

Program staff also worked with teachers, school staff, IEP team members, and community organizations to come up with effective ways to provide families with clear, valuable information. This included bringing together 10-15 students and their families in each school to learn about available resources and develop their self-advocacy skills.

Throughout the program, families took part in online and in-person information sessions where they received guidance from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities and information about other key organizations, such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities. Each family information session provided resources on essential topics such as employment, housing, education, transportation, and mental health, helping families better understand the systems in place.

To help students prepare for the future, activities like Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) were offered. Information was delivered in ways that were culturally relevant and respectful, focusing on each student’s goals as they transitioned from school to adult life.

Through EPIC, New Jersey Black students with disabilities and their families are gaining the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to navigate their futures confidently.

Get Involved

Contact us if you would like to bring the EPIC program to your communities/districts.