Livingston For All

Logo for "Livingston For All", an Inclusive Healthy Communities Initiative

Livingston For All is an initiative to promote inclusive practices that support the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities in our community. 

Livingston For All was formed to promote local-level community change through policy, systems, and environmental changes. 

A community survey has recently been concluded, its goal being to collect information that will help advance inclusiveness for people with disabilities in our community. 

The results of the survey will be made available here.

This initiative was funded by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant from the NJ DDS.

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Mission | What We're Doing | Where We're Headed | About the Grant | What is an Inclusive | Healthy Community? | About the Community Survey | More Information

Mission

Creating an inclusive, connected, and caring community by advocating for and implementing intentional policy, system, and environmental changes that support people of all ages and abilities in their potential to thrive throughout all stages of life.

Inclusive Healthy Communities ModelWhat We’re Doing

As a first step to becoming a more inclusive community, we have conducting a community needs assessment to identify existing barriers to thriving and inform efforts to enhance unhindered participation by people with disabilities in all facets of community life, including in leadership roles. 

A community-wide survey is part of the needs assessment, and public input is critical to that — particularly for those with a disability and those who are guardians for individuals with disabilities.

For more information visit InclusiveLivingston.com.

Where We’re Headed

The needs assessment will inform the development of an action plan that will be used to guide an Inclusive Healthy Community initiative. This work is being facilitated by New Jersey Future with a grant from the NJ Division of Disability Services.

Based on ongoing evaluation of policies, systems, and environments in Livingston, and inclusive community engagement, Livingston for All will coordinate a municipal program that works with partner organizations to create a livable community where residents of all abilities are active participants in shaping community features affecting them and available to them. The program is coordinated by the Senior, Youth, & Leisure Services Department (SYLS).

About the Grant

The Livingston For All Initiative is funded (or funded in part) by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services. 

The Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) is a grant program established in 2020 by the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services.

The program funds New Jersey communities and organizations engaged in projects that promote the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities in the communities where they live.

Eligible projects must meet the following three objectives:

  1. Adopt policies that are inclusive of people with disabilities as part of efforts to plan and create healthy communities;
  2. Plan and implement sustainable strategies that deliver the benefits of healthy communities to people with disabilities;
  3. Advance sustainable policies, systems, and environmental change that address the pre-existing physical, environmental, social, and economic challenges that prevent people with disabilities from having full access to the opportunities that support health and well-being.

Specifically, the Livingston Inclusive Healthy Community initiative will create and implement a community-wide needs assessment to gauge current gaps in facilities, infrastructure, transportation, programs, and services as they relate to inclusiveness and accessibility.

It will also create and carry out a strategic action plan to be incorporated into the Township’s master plan to ensure inclusive healthy communities remain a targeted focus for our future.

For more information about Inclusive Healthy Communities Grants, visit inclusivehealthycommunities.org.

What is an Inclusive, Healthy Community?

An inclusive, healthy community is one where:

  • The social and physical environments are welcoming and free of barriers.
  • Efforts are advanced to change policies, systems, and environments to be more inclusive.
  • People with disabilities are active participants in decisions affecting all aspects of the community.
  • Health and wellness of all community members is prioritized.

About the Community Survey

The Livingston For All Inclusive Healthy Communities survey was conducted during the summer of 2023. 

Information about and links to the survey were distributed widely through the Township website and social media accounts, emails, text messaging, and the local newspaper. Paper surveys and collection boxes were also available at Town Hall, the Public Library, and the Senior/Community Center. All members of the community were encouraged to participate. 

More Information

Residents with any questions about Livingston For All may contact Jennifer Walker, CPRE, CPM at jwalker@livingstonnj.org or 973-535-7925 ext. 259. 

Visit InclusiveLivingston.com.

View the LFAA Needs Assessment & Action Plan (PDF).

View the Appendices to the LFAA Needs Assessment & Action Plan (PDF).

Visit our blog here!

View the IHC Flyer for Survey (PDF).