Champion Award
James (Jim) Thebery, M.A., CSW, began his career with the Division on Disability
Services since 1994 and was named Director of the Bergen County Division on Disability Services in September 1999 and retired in December of 2019. He was responsible for overall supervision and evaluation of (9) full time office staff, (9) field evaluators, (4) program facilitators, and manages an annual fiscal budget in excess of 1.5 million dollars. This Division was established in 1978 by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders as the first office in the state to address and serve the needs of persons with Disability. Division programs include, Post Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Groups, Personal Assistance Services (PASP) for Bergen and Hudson, Statewide Respite Care, Meals on Wheels, In-Home Caregiver Education, Information & Assistance, Speakers/ Advocacy Bureau. Jim has been involved in self-advocacy for many years and continues in his pursuit of equality and opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. Some of these campaigns include, the statewide Access for All committees focused on addressing concerning residents with disabilities, and the Come & See, All Are Welcome campaign to ensure accessibility in houses of worship, through education and examples.
