I’m so pleased about Senate Resolution 77, recognizing the accomplishments of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders Inc., passed by the state Senate on Feb. 23.
The work of NJCTS ties directly to the major agenda items outlined in recent speeches by the current administrations in Trenton and Washington. Simply put, we all want the same thing: to care for our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
One in 200 children show signs of TS … that’s more than 28,000 kids in New Jersey alone! And for those children, families, doctors and teachers who rely on the services NJCTS provides, we must hold to the promises we’ve all made to offer help and care.
NJCTS offers proven and effective results in the areas of education, advocacy, family support and research … efficiently, and without a drain on the state’s economy. The need is great and our model solution is surprisingly cost-effective. In 2008, we met a 42 percent increase in demand for our services without any increase in budget. Despite the tough fiscal realities New Jersey is facing, it is of critical importance that we continue those programs that are, indeed: fiscally responsible and a solution for the thousands of kids and families who need and deserve our help.
My heartfelt “thank you” to all of those who have helped us build NJCTS into what it is today, for the support of those whose skills are critical to serving our most vulnerable, and for the commitment to our kids’ right to “get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities,” as Barack Obama said in April of last year. PAUL M. DA‚COSTA Board member, Metuchen