Resolution of the SCARC Board of Trustees

January 25, 2021

At its January 25, 2021 meeting, the SCARC Board of Trustees unanimously voted to send the following RESOLUTION to the Board of Trustees of the Arc of New Jersey in acknowledgement of its appreciation of the advocacy of the Arc of New Jersey and its Executive Director Tom Baffuto and his advocacy team during these perilous times of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

WHEREAS, the Arc of New Jersey and its Executive Director Tom Baffuto and his advocacy team have successfully advocated with various entities in New Jersey, including the state Legislature and state government to advance the value and life status of persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families throughout the State of New Jersey; and,

WHEREAS, the Arc of New Jersey and its Executive Director Tom Baffuto and his advocacy team have achieved the status of a recognized expert, go to resource, and quintessential advocate for the needs and life status of such persons and their families; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Tom Baffuto and his advocacy team have acted productively, efficiently, and successfully to obtain valuable resources, and have established and coordinated relationships with resource centers in New Jersey, such as Special Olympics of New Jersey, and the United Way of Bergen County, for the benefit of children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families during this time of the pandemic; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Tom Baffuto and his excellent Arc of New Jersey team have advocated with state government officials in the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and other departments and divisions, as well as the Governor’s Office to advantageously benefit Direct Support Professionals throughout the state with wage increases and benefits becoming of the status of our valued and cherished employees; and,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the SCARC Board of Trustees, on behalf of the administration, staff, families, and individuals served by SCARC services, hereby commends, applauds, and recognizes the high performance and achievement of Tom Baffuto and the Arc of New Jersey advocacy team in their success of elevating the status of persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families in New Jersey; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the SCARC Board of Trustees extends our deep appreciation to Tom Baffuto and the Arc of New Jersey advocacy team, and our well-deserving praise and best regards in the Arc’s future activities on behalf of all New Jersey citizens within the greater Arc of New Jersey family.

Phil Motyka                                                                                                Richard C. Lecher, Ph.D.

Chairman of the Board                                                           President and Chief Executive Officer