Evesham council recently amended a chapter of the township code after determining that it should be updated to better serve veteran and disabled populations.
Chapter 36 – known as the Disability and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee – was created by council in 2019. It consists of mayoral appointees who research how programs and other opportunities can improve services to those populations.
Other committee members are residents who experience disabilities, are veterans or are caregivers to either of those two groups. The committee also includes those involved with service providers for the disabled and those who participate in advocacy groups, as well as elected officials.
The township also administers the Special Needs Adult Program (SNAP), informally created and not established under the township code. The advisory committee and SNAP serve the same residents, and have overlapping purposes and goals.
Since establishment of the advisory group, township council has adopted a measure that assigns responsibility for administering supportive services to the disabled populations, including seniors.
At its July meeting, council amended the township code to establish the activities of SNAP as part of the advisory committee, doing so in conjunction with the Department of Administration’s Division of External Affairs. As a result, there will now be an established SNAP subcommittee under the advisory group to further recreational, cultural and leisure opportunities for adult residents with disabilities.
Its membership will be determined by the advisory committee, but will include at all times a manager or designee and a member of the larger committee.
Christopher Nigro, chair of the advisory committee and liaison to the Human Rights Advisory Council, attended the recent council meeting and addressed the importance of supporting SNAP residents. He also expressed gratitude for the ordinance’s approval.
“The committee and I look forward to working alongside SNAP to continue expanding support, resources and opportunities for these residents,” he explained. “I also want to express my appreciation to town council and the township manager for the review of this ordinance.”
“The committee is very excited and open to this opportunity,” noted Councilman Joseph Fisicaro Jr., liaison to the advisory committee, at the council meeting. “It’s another avenue for us to expand what we’re able to do for people with disabilities in the SNAP program.”
