CONTENTS
Your rights as an immigrant parent &/or family member of an immigrant child in New Jersey
Presentations and documents from the Spring 2024 Parent Expo
Presentations and documents from the Spring 2023 Parent Expo
Presentations and documents from the Spring 2022 Parent Expo
Presentations and documents from the 2021 Parent Expo
NJ Department of Children and Families – Links and Publications
How to read this page in different languages
How to read closed caption in different languages on YouTube
Your rights as an immigrant parent &/or family member of an immigrant child in New Jersey
Here is the playlist of all available languages, or click on the link below for the video in your language.
Presentations and documents from the January 2024 Parent Expo
The Seal of Biliteracy, Success Stories
These Seal of Biliteracy graduates will relate how it has impacted their lives since high school graduation.
Estos graduados del Sello de Bilingüe relataron cómo ha impactado sus vidas desde que se graduaron de la escuela secundaria. Moderator: Ms. Jackie Léon
Participants: Yaneira Camarillo Galindo and Serghio Hinostroza live, Jazmin Lopez, Fiorella
Armebianchi, and Eloisa Cea Mora on video.
● Secrets to Early Language Success: Tips for Giving Young Children the Best Start for Learning
Secretos para el éxito temprano del lenguaje: consejos para brindarles a los niños pequeños el mejor comienzo para aprender
Presenter: Karen N. Nemeth, Language Castle LLC – Video in English – Slides: English / Spanish
● Derechos, Recursos Y responsabilidades de Padres y Patrocinadores de Niños y Adolescentes Inmigrantes sin Acompañantes / Rights, Resources, and Responsibilities of Parents and Sponsors of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children and Adolescents
Presenter: Lina Maria Caswell CWS Jersey City Children and Youth Services – Video in Spanish & English – Slides English and Spanish
● La Magia de Ser Multilingüe: El Rol de La Familia / The Magic of Being Multilingual: The Family’s Role
Presenter: Dr. Nurka L. Nieves, NJTESOL/NJBE Family/Community Action Representative
Video in Spanish & English – Slides
● How Can My Child Access School- Based Services When We Do Not Have a Permanent Home?
¿Cómo puedo ayudar a la educación de mis hijos cuando no tenemos un hogar permanente?
Presenters: Diahann De Ruggiero, McKinney-Vento Region I Director
Bernadette Noll, McKinney-Navigator Region I
Massiel Sanabria-Lemos, McKinney-Vento Bilingual Parent Liaison
Video in Spanish & English – Slides: English / Spanish
● Familias Inclusivas: Mental Health Support for LGBTQ+ Youth
Familias Inclusivas: Apoyo a la Salud Mental de Jóvenes LGBTQ+
Presenter: Wendy G. Bateman, Literacy Specialist and LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate, San José Public Library
Video in English & Spanish – Slides
● ELL Students Rights’ in New Jersey’s state funded preschools – Video in English
Derechos de los estudiantes ELL en el programa preescolar financiado porel estado de NJ – Vídeo en español
Presenter: Jason Pedraza, Education Law Center
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this video helps explain the laws affecting the rights of New Jersey preschoolers who are Multilingual Learners but should not be construed as legal advice. This video is provided for educational and informational purposes only and contains general information that may not reflect current or complete legal developments. Viewers are encouraged to seek appropriate legal advice from a licensed attorney on the particular facts and circumstances of their case.
UPDATES AS OF JANUARY 2024: English Language Learners (ELL) are now referred to as Multilingual Learners (ML). Instead of 150 NJ communities providing free, full-day preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds, there are now approximately 230 communities who do so.
Jason Pedraza’s fellowship at ELC ended in August 2021 and he no longer works as an attorney there. The extension for ELC’s intake line has changed; the correct number is now (973) 624-1815, ext. 300.
Presentations and documents from the January 2023 Parent Expo
The Value of Dual Language Immersion in the elementary setting and why parents should care about the power of language for all speakers. – Video – PDF
El valor de la inmersión en dos idiomas en la escuela primaria y por qué los padres deben preocuparse por el poder del idioma para todos los hablantes.
Presenter: Dineen Gruchacz, Principal, Community Park School, Princeton, New Jersey
Mental Health & ELL; Connecting with your School Team Video – PDF
Salud mental y ELL; Conectando con tu Equipo Escolar Video – PDF
Presenter: Nancy Martinez, School Counselor, New Roberto Clemente, Paterson Public Schools
Important Legal Information for NJ Immigrant Families and Students – Video PDF
Información legal importante para familias y estudiantes inmigrantes de NJ – Video PDF
Presenter: Erin Sweeney, Attorney at KIND, Kids in Need of Defense
- Know Your Rights
- ¡Conozca Sus Derechos!
- What to do during an encounter with immigration
- Que hacer en caso de un encountro con inmigracion
- Online Detainee Locator System
- Sistema Localizador de Detenidos en Línea
- Power of Attorney – Bilingual
Kean University Supera Spanish Speaking Program: Providing Access and Support to Spanish Speaking ELLs in Higher Education – Spanish & English Video – PDF
Programa de habla hispana Supera de la Universidad de Kean: brindando acceso y apoyo a los ELL de habla hispana en la educación superior – Spanish & English Video – PDF
Presenter: Rosa Paulino, Director, Supera Spanish Speaking Program
Helping ELL Students Find Their Way, Mental Health Services in New Jersey, What parents need to know
Ayudando a los estudiantes ELL a encontrar su camino, Servicios de salud mental en Nueva Jersey, Lo que los padres deben saber
Presenter: Yessenia Guglielmi, Licensed Professional Counselor
Other Resources from NJDOE
- Bilingual Programs in N.J. & Parents’ Rights Policy (Part 1 of 4 Series)
- Bilingual Programs in N.J. & Parents’ Rights District Strategies (Part 2 of 4 Series)
- Bilingual Programs in N.J. & Parents’ Rights Is my child an English language learner? (Part 3 of 4 Series)
- Bilingual Programs & Parents’ Rights A Roundtable Discussion: Is my child an English language learner? (Part 4 of 4 Series)
Presentations and documents from the January 2022 Parent Expo
Welcome and The Seal of Biliteracy, Success Stories, Jackie Léon, Moderator
- Hunterdon Central Regional High School: Yeimy Hernandez and Abdias Hernandez
- Fair Lawn High School: Soul Gada and mother, Pazit Gada
- 2020 Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship: Alessia Cacais Soria
- Video submission from West New York: Melissa Alvarez
An Introduction to county vocational-technical schools: Presenter – Jackie Burke – Language: English
Creating Equity and Opportunity: Option 2 for Newcomers /
Creando equidad y oportunidades: Opción 2 para recién llegados
Presenter: Andrea Fonteñez, Languages: Spanish & English, PowerPoint in Spanish and English
English as a Second Language (ESL) at County College of Morris/
Inglés como Segundo Idioma (ESL) en County College of Morris
Presenters: James Hart, Alexandra Hoffmann, Lissette Ragno, Languages: Spanish & English
Parent and School Counselor Partnership to Foster ELL Student Success/
Asociación de padres y consejeros escolares para fomentar el éxito de los estudiantes ELL
Presenters: Ivana Martinez, Nancy Reyes Languages: Spanish & English
English PowerPoint Spanish PowerPoint
What Shall I Be? Career exploration for parents and students
Presenter: Margaret Churchill, Language: English
English PowerPoint Spanish PowerPoint
Undocumented Students and Higher Education
Presenter: Maria Zamora, Language: English, Spanish PowerPoint
Presentations and documents from the 2021 Parent Expo
We are Home by Wind of the Spirit – Estamos en Casa por el Viento del Espíritu (Video)
Información sobre inmigración para familias/ Information about immigration for families
from Wind of the Spirit, Gloria Blanco y Hellen Zamora – Bustos
The rights of NJ English Learner students and Limited English Proficient parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flyer in these languages:
Estrategias para abordar los problemas escolares: Panel de padres (Video)
Strategies for Addressing School Problems: Parent Panel
Yolanda Hernandez, Isabel Basurto, & Nancy Burgos with Moderator Jackie León
Mi Historia de Éxito, la experiencia de un estudiante (Video)
Mr. Ulises Prudencio El Sr. Prudencio habla de su experiencia de niño al emigrar a los Estados Unidos y al ir a la escuela. Abandonó la escuela secundaria pero regresó para completar su GED e ir a la universidad. Ahora está trabajando para convertirse en maestro. Su historia es inspiradora y describe un camino hacia el éxito.
(Mr. Prudencio talks about his experience as a child emigrating to the United States and going to school. His story is inspiring and describes a path to success.)
ELL Students Rights’ in New Jersey’s state funded preschools – English (Video)
Derechos de los estudiantes ELL en el programa preescolar financiado por el estado de NJ – Español (Video)
Jason Pedraza, Education Law Center
Strategies to Support Families & Family Engagement through the Use of Technology (Video)
(Estrategias para apoyar a las familias y la participación familiar mediante el uso de tecnología)
An invitation to learn family engagement strategy and find ways to prepare families to continue to support their children at home
by Maritza Villanueva, New Village Educational Consulting, newvillageconsulting@gmail.com Twitter: mvillanuevalad
How can Spanish-speaking parents help their children for school success? – Handout from the sponsor, Lectura Books
Parent Support for High School Students – Hana Prashker, Patricia George, and Elizabeth Franks (handout)
First-generation College Students, Strategies, and Resources for Students and Families (Video)
Dr. Nancy Chae, Assistant Professor from Montclair State University, Alina Sanchez, and Emily Young
Flyer with information
Aprenda cómo puede preparar a su estudiante de primer, segundo y tercer año de secundaria para su último año/para el proceso universitario. (Learn how to prepare your high school student for the college process including free college access training.) Video from Make the Road NJ
New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy – (Video) Elizabeth Franks
Licencias de conducir para todos (Driver’s Licenses for All – video)
from Make the Road New Jersey, Nedia Morsy, Director of Organizing
Licencias de Conducir – (Information)
State of NJ Department of Children and Families
NJ DCF Homepage
NJDOE Portal Bilingue Para Padres
Covid-19 and other Helping Resources for Families
Family Success Centers
Children’s Mental Health Services
Domestic Violence Services – DV Hotlines
Other website links:
Find a child care center
2NDFLOOR.ORG – helpline for youth and young adults
NJ DCF Social Media links: Facebook Instagram Twitter
Publications and Reports
The following publications in English and Spanish, and many more, can be downloaded or ordered FREE and in any amount.
Open the links on the right and use the “DOWNLOAD THE PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM” link that is found on each page. Orders can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.
Las siguientes publicaciones, que se enumeradan en inglés y español y muchas más, se pueden descargar o solicitar GRATIS y por cualquier monto.
Abra los enlaces en a la derecha y utilice el enlace “DESCARGAR FORMULARIO DE PEDIDO DE PUBLICACIONES” que se encuentra en cada página. Los pedidos se pueden enviar por correo electrónico, fax o correo.
Family Success Centers – English / Spanish / Korean
Mental Health Services: Quick Facts – Korean / Spanish / English
Safe Haven: Flyer – English / Spanish Video – Spanish / English
Hotlines/Helplines
Informational Resources
ASVAB Career Exploration Program Information
ASVAB Overview PDF
ASVAB Using My Portfolio PDF
ASVAB Factsheet PDF
March2Success is a free interactive online study program.
March2Success Information Flyer
U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic Battalion – Academic and Career Resources
Giovanna Cristiano Hansen, M.Ed., GS
Education Services Specialist U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion
NAES Lakehurst, Route 547, Bldg 688 Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Giovanna.c.hansen.civ@army.mil
Why is Family Engagement Important?
Parent involvement in children’s education has an impact on student success, not just in school but throughout life!
When families are involved, students:
- Earn higher grades
- Attend school more regularly
- Enjoy school more and behave better
- Are more likely to go on to postsecondary education or having successful careers
Watch Dr. Karen Mapp, an expert in family engagement, discuss Prerequisites of Effective Family and Community.
SPAN provides information, individual assistance, training, and support to families, youth, and professionals. SPAN does not provide legal advice or representation.
SPAN is committed to engaging parents and professionals as partners in improving outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth in NJ. We offer programs that address parent involvement, child care, general and special education, dropout and bullying prevention, child welfare, health care, mental health, youth leadership, transition to adult life, incarcerated youth, military family support, violence prevention, and more!
Empowered Parents: Educated, Engaged, Effective!
New Labor is an organization that educates, organizes, and fights for better work conditions and social justice in the workplace. New Labor organizes to empower our members and amplify our voices in the community, workplace, and political realm.
¿Qué es el Nuevo Trabajo? What is New Labor?
Sponsor of the 2021 Parent Expo
Colleges
Brookdale offers two ESL programs. The Academic ESL program is for students who are interested in getting their English skills to a college level. Many of the students continue on to take courses at Brookdale and obtain a degree. At the end of the Academic ESL Program, students receive a certificate that shows that they have completed an ESL program. You can find more information about this program here. You may also email ESL@Brookdalecc.edu or call 732-224-2656 for more information.
The Free Grant Funded ABE/ESL program is for students who are interested in getting a GED, obtaining English skills for a job, or who need more English skills before attending Brookdale’s Academic ESL Program. Anyone who is interested in learning or improving their English reading, writing, and speaking skills is welcome. You can find more information about this program here. or call 732-224-2180 for more information.
The mission of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program is to give students the academic English skills and cultural knowledge they need to complete a degree at a U.S. college where English is the principal language. The ESL program at County College of Morris
(CCM) consists of Reading, Writing and Conversation courses organized into three levels. Students are placed into the appropriate level according to a placement test. The ESL program is not for beginners. Students must have a basic understanding of English grammar and vocabulary. The ESL program is currently not a certificate or degree program.
Welcome to Campus for Perspective ESL Students (English) video
CCM’s ESL Programs Introduced by Prof. Hart (English) video
Los programas de ESL de CCM presentados por el Prof. Hart (español) video
Programas de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) County College of Morris PDF
English as a Second Language Programs County College of Morris PDF
Raritan Valley Community College Is the English as a Second Language program at RVCC right for you? Watch this informational video to learn more. Explore our comprehensive English as a Second Language program. RVCC offers all levels of English as a Second Language instruction from basic English to advanced grammar and accent reduction. You can take ESL courses separately or sequentially. Workforce ESL & Academic ESL.
ESL Classes Video Raritan Valley Website
Atlantic Cape offers beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of English classes for non-native, English speaking students. Classes include interactive learning activities, audio language lab practice, computer and Internet lab practice, as well as textbook reading and writing assignments. All courses focus on increasing the listening, speaking, reading, grammar and writing skills of the students.
Atlantic Cape Community College ESL Program Video
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The mission of the ESL / ALP – American Language Program is to provide English as a Second Language (ESL) students, from beginner to advanced levels, with the knowledge and English language skills needed to reach their academic, professional, and personal goals.
ESL/ALP has four levels (Beginner, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced), and each level consists of courses in Grammar, Reading, Writing, and Speaking/Listening. Students’ starting levels are determined by results of a language placement test.
Students who test into the advanced level may be eligible to enroll in a learning community, which is a paired ESL and college-level course while completing ESL requirements.
English for College/University | Bergen Community College