Thank You to Our Dear Friend and Colleague, Ann Martinelli

After fifteen years, our dear friend and colleague Ann Martinelli is stepping down from her role at CLEP in December 2025.  

Ann has long been recognized as a pillar in the community of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. She has been a family member since 1985, when her son Joe was born. She worked for 16 years in Early Intervention as an in-home developmental specialist, and as a family mentor for a statewide support coordination agency mentoring individuals and families in self-directed supports and services. Ann also worked as a co-director of an employment program, creating a Project Search in Monmouth County, generating work opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.   

An Impressive Background

Ann received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Georgian Court University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Disability Studies from the City University of New York’s School of Professional Studies. For nearly forty years, Ann has been a staunch advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, on both state and national levels. She co-created Advocates for Alternatives, a grass roots advocacy organization that fought for enhanced self-directed services and supports across the state of NJ and beyond. Her advocacy includes the expansion of person-centered thinking, planning and processes across the system in NJ for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Ann has always been happy to share her lived experience in creating a person-centered life for her son, both the successes and the challenges, and she truly ‘walks the talk’.  She and her family embody the tenets of self-direction, by supporting her son to create a life of freedom, choice, control, contribution and confirmation for him. Ann is also always happy to share her and professional expertise to families across the state.

For over twenty years, Ann has served on multiple local and state committees for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, working for the ongoing development of quality supports and services and improved systems. For almost 10 years, Ann has been an active, passionate member and leader on the Regional Family Support Planning Council (RFSPC) #6, one of 10 councils in the state, which are coordinated by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities. The goal of the councils is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through education and advocacy.

Coming to CLEP

Ann volunteered for two years as a member of the Rutgers Community Living Education Project (CLEP) Family-to-Family Advisory group where she would share her lived experience in self-directed services as well as community living options. She was later hired by CLEP as a Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers Community Living Education Project, where she has worked for the last 15 years.

As a family member, Ann was an appointed by then Department of Human Services Commissioner to serve as a member of the Olmstead Implementation and Advisory Council for ten years, from 2007 to 2017.  This council was formed as oversight to the NJ DDD’s ‘Path to Progress’ plan, as they worked to move people out of developmental centers and into community living environments. In addition, Ann supported individuals and families during the closure of North Jersey and Woodbridge Developmental Centers. Further, each month, Ann – along with retired CLEP team member Sheilah, and varied self-advocates – would deliver special programming to those living at the remaining developmental centers, including New Lisbon and Woodbine. 

Ann shared her vast knowledge and lived experience with others through numerous channels, including NJ DDD’s Waiting List Family Networking sessions, and through the many CLEP presentations and trainings, all focused on the importance of a person-center life, regardless of where a person lives. 

As a proficient writer, Ann has been the creator of CLEP’s monthly Sharing Possibilities in the Community newsletter, and the My Life Now online magazine. Her vast knowledge was essential when developing the ‘new and improved’ CLEP Website. She singlehandedly drafted most of the educational resource articles on the website because she cares so deeply about sharing what she has learned along the way.

With her knowledge and lived experience, Ann has contributed to countless lives throughout NJ and beyond. She will be greatly missed. The CLEP team wants to thank her for being such an invaluable part of our organization and for everything she has done.