As communities across the country recognize April as Autism Awareness Month, there is no better time to spotlight Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC), an organization working tirelessly to support individuals and families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Serving all of Ocean County, OPC stands at the forefront of quietly and consistently transforming lives for youth and families, through an individualized, collaborative, holistic approach to services and treatment. Services rendered are offered at no cost to families when youth are in need, with neither insurance coverage nor income posing barriers to assistance.

On average, OPC serves more than 1,100 youth daily across all of Ocean County: assisting youth facing mental health, substance use, legal involvement, and/or behavioral health needs. Within that population, approximately 20% are youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the majority of whom have an autism diagnosis.

Behind these numbers are real children, teens, young adults, and families navigating complex systems, complicated insurances and services, seeking understanding, and working toward stability and success. OPC’s role is not just to provide services. but to ensure no one is left to face these challenges alone.

Central to this work are dedicated Care Management teams focused specifically on supporting young people with I/DD needs, managed by Director Alyssa Christman and I/DD Supervisors Melinda Santiago-Owens, Sean Giarratana, and Jessica Perez. These specialized teams are comprised of professionals who bring not only compassion, but deep expertise in the disability field.

Staff members are certified in Developmental Disabilities through Rutgers University, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the unique and evolving needs of this population. This level of training ensures that families receive informed guidance, individualized care planning, and advocacy rooted in best practices.

What truly sets OPC apart is its ability to listen: to families, to youth, and to the community. Consistently seeking feedback, OPC responds with innovative, meaningful solutions. Over the years, OPC has identified persistent gaps in services and access, particularly for individuals with developmental disabilities. Rather than accepting these gaps as unavoidable, the organization has taken action to bring necessary solutions to the county.

In 2020, OPC created a groundbreaking I/DD Specialist position to address one of the most significant barriers individuals with I/DD needs and their families face: navigating the state’s eligibility systems. Applying for and securing Developmental Disabilities (DD) Eligibility for youth under 21 or Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) eligibility for individuals over 21, can be a lengthy, confusing, and often overwhelming process.

The paperwork is extensive, the requirements are strict, and delays can leave families without critical services. Often, mandatory evaluations and testing can be difficult to acquire, with insurance coverage barriers, high deductibles and costs, and long waitlists.

The I/DD Specialist was designed to change that experience. Serving as both a guide and an advocate, this role supports individuals and families throughout the entire application process; from gathering documentation, completing submissions, following up with state agencies or just providing guidance on how to access the online portal. In calendar year 2025, the I/DD Specialist served 483 individuals, each at a different stage of the eligibility journey.

When asked about the benefits of this position, Santiago-Owens, who also supervises this position, stated, “The benefit is having someone sit with you, listen, and help navigate a world that is not made to understand. She [Corie Hometchko, I/DD Specialist] helps explain “the why” that a lot of people never take the time to discuss.”

As impactful as this role has been, OPC’s commitment to innovation did not stop there.

In 2021, as communities emerged from a period of unprecedented isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, OPC recognized another urgent need. Many youth with special needs had experienced heightened isolation, disrupted routines, and increased anxiety. Opportunities for socialization had become limited or nonexistent.

Two OPC staff members, Liz Menges and Jess Pepe developed a social, emotional and physical wellness curriculum in response to the Ocean County Department of Human Services’ county-wide request for proposals to formulate a hybrid program for youth with disabilities.

OPC launched Connections, a program specifically designed to support individuals with special needs who were struggling with isolation and social barriers. What began as a targeted initiative quickly grew into a vital community resource.

Connections provides a safe, inclusive space where youth can build relationships, develop social skills, and engage in meaningful activities. Through structured group sessions, recreational opportunities, and peer interaction, participants are encouraged to step out of seclusion and into connection, in a way that feels comfortable and empowering.

Over time, the program has evolved to meet the changing needs of its participants. The year-long program meets twice a month and focuses each session on one or more of four pillars: emotional wellness, social wellness, physical health and caregiver/family connection.

Now entering its fourth year as a grant-funded program, Connections continues to expand its reach and impact, with Pepe and Kelly Joseph as Lead Facilitators. Sessions throughout the year include community partnership days (i.e. A visit from Insectropolis, financial literacy with OceanFirst Bank, or lessons from a local dental hygienist), family nights (i.e. BBQ at Ocean County Youth Center or Family Night at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws), and a pen pal program to focus on conversational skills and empathy.

The year cumulates with a special Connections Gala to celebrate the youth and their families in the program. Joseph states, “I love getting to see the growth being made without the youth even realizing it. And the fact that the group really lives up to its name in allowing the youth to make Connections in a safe, fun environment that’s just for them is so important.”

Families report not only improved social engagement among participants, but also increased confidence, independence, and overall well-being.

A parent reported during a recent anonymous survey, “It’s a great opportunity for [my son] to get out of the house and socialize with individuals in similar situations. I feel this is a very generous group. My wife and I are very satisfied – thank you to the folks that put all the effort in to keep the program running.”

A youth attending group reported, “”I like coming to Connections and riding here in the car,” while another wrote, “I feel good about [coming to group] and the pizza. I like to help other friends.”

The success of Connections and the I/DD Specialist are testaments to OPC’s ability to adapt and grow alongside the community it serves. It reflects a broader philosophy that defines the organization’s work: services should not be static, they should evolve in response to real needs, real challenges, and real lives.

While some parents and caregivers may be daydreaming of their golden years in retirement someday, parents and caregivers of those with special needs are planning for life-long services, supportive and assisted housing options, and navigating complexities that are trusts, applications, guardianship, and other winding roadways in a complex legal landscape.

For the families they serve, OPC is more than a service provider. OPC is a partner, an advocate, and a source of hope. And, for the community at large, it is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when compassion meets action.

During Autism Awareness Month, and year-round, it’s essential to move beyond awareness alone and toward true understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. Organizations like Ocean Partnership for Children exemplify this by pairing compassion with action, innovation, and commitment.

As we recognize this month, we celebrate both the individuals and families impacted by autism and the dedicated work happening every day in Ocean County to support them.

To learn more about Ocean Partnership for Children, how to access services, or how to be a supporter of the mission, visit their website www.oceanpartnership.org and follow on social media @OceanPartnership.