Jennifer Koelln is the Director of Mental Health Services at Community Access Unlimited, where she leads initiatives to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) facing co-occurring mental health challenges. With over a decade of experience in the field, Jennifer is passionate about breaking down stigma, improving access to mental health care, and advocating for inclusive, person-centered support. She holds an MSW from Rutgers University and has been instrumental in expanding mental health programs that empower individuals to live independently and thrive in their communities.
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Jennifer Koelln: Community Access was started in 1979 with, I believe, just a single grant to help people get out of institutions and into the community. But since then, we’ve expanded quite a bit. We have at least 60 houses where we house individuals with intellectual disabilities. I think we have over 500 members currently living in one of our residential programs.
We’re based in Union County, right out of Elizabeth. Our residential programs are in Union County, throughout different towns. But we also offer support coordination throughout the state.
OGC Solutions® LLP: So, the populations that Community Access works with primarily are individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities?
Jennifer Koelln: Yes, correct. Adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
OGC Solutions® LLP: And you provide housing, 24-hour support, right? Residential services, employment support, and case management through support coordination?
Jennifer Koelln: Yes, exactly. We also have ACE, which is the Academy for Continuing Education. So, for folks who want to go back to school, they can literally go back to school. We have day programs. The supports are very vast. We try to wrap around as much as possible.
OGC Solutions® LLP: And with the mission of really helping—well, I think the name of your organization says it all. But how would you define the mission?
Jennifer Koelln: Helping people access the community and becoming as independent as possible.
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