” Prosecutor’s Office Partners With Atlantic County Special Needs Registry Schools Outreach Programs.”

November 4, 2022, 7:10 A.M. ET By Yesica Ramirez-Alzate: EnglebrooK Independent News,

MAYS LANDING, NJ.- The Atlantic Prosecutor’s Office has partnered with three local school districts and the districts local Police Departments to increase awareness and provide learning resources for Law Enforcement on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, (I/DD) in The Atlantic County Area. There will be two sessions of this program which began last month and will continue in March, 2023.

     The districts will be Brigantine, Northfield, and Egg Harbor City. Each week an Officer from each of The Police Departments will partner with a Special Education Class to help teach young students that have an intellectual disability.

     The School Districts have provided curriculum that focuses positive interactions within the school and community, positive communication skills, anti-bullying, mindfulness, and self-regulation abilities.

     The Goals of this program are; To inform Law Enforcement about school aged children with intellectual disabilities; To provide resources and tools that increase knowledge and skills in interactions with The I/DD Community; To foster positive and open lines of communication and healthy relationships between I/DD Students and Law Enforcement Communities; Reduce bias and increase awareness about The Special Needs Community.

     The program will consist of one 45 minute session for 6 weeks for students in grades 5 through 8, with a capacity of 10 to 15 students per class. Upon completion a Certificate will be provided to each student and a trip to the local Police Department to have lunch with the Chief of Police and a tour of The Police Department.