Embedded Files
DHS_NJ_Resource_Guide_English-2020-web.pdfFamily Guide to Transition Services_0 (1).pdfTransitionTimeline-2019-12-F.pdfPostsecondary-guide-fillable2018.pdfgraduates-timeline.pdfGuardianshipBrochure.pdfGuardianshipBrochureForPrinting.pdfDetofEligibiltyFS_1.2013.pdfscan_kreer_2022-02-07-08-27-58.pdfTRANSITION RESOURCES
TRANSITION RESOURCES
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home/index.html (Division of Developmental Disabilities-DDD)
https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/special-services/individuals-with-disabilities/ (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services-DVRS)
http://www.nj.gov/mvc/Licenses/NonDriverID.htm (Non-Driver Identification Card)
http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voting-information.html (Voter Registration)
http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=AccessLinkTo (Access Link - public transportation service for people with disabilities.)
http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/services/guardianship/ (New Jersey Department of Human Services— Bureau of Guardianship Services) 609-631-2213
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/programs/ssi/ (Supplemental Security Income -SSI)
http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/clients/medicaid/ (Medicaid)
https://nj.gov/labor/career-services/ (Department of Workforce and Development)
www.ncset.org (National Center of Secondary education and transition)
www.heath.gwu.edu/ (Information about post-secondary choices)
www.collegeboard.org/ (students-with-disabilities?affiliateId=rdr&bannerId=ssd College Board –SAT accommodations for students with disabilities)
NJ DOE Transition Resources http://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/transition/
The Arc of New Jersey http://planningforadultlife.org/welcome
DIAL- Center for Independent Living http://www.dial-cil.org/dial/
Family Support Center of New Jersey https://www.tricountyresourcenet.org/search/family-support-center-of-nj/
SCARC Guardianship Services, Inc. www.scarcguardianship.org
Family Resource Network https://www.familyresourcenetwork.org/
Plan|NJ Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey
PLAN|NJ’s mission is to help families answer the question, ‘Who will care for my loved one when I’m gone?’ We offer comprehensive support services including Special Needs Trust administration, life planning, guardianship, advocacy, home visit monitoring, social service coordination, and representative payee for Social Security benefits.
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey (PLAN|NJ) has created a new website to better assist with planning for the future of an individual with disabilities at www.plannj.org.
PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment has a great feature called Paving the Way: Parent Tips for Supporting Success in High School and Beyond. It is an accessible listing of helpful resources and tips on a few topics including communication, study habits, support, and preparation for the future. Check it out!
https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/ The Boggs Center is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and is part of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Pediatrics. Since its inception in 1983, The Center has emphasized a community based, lifespan approach to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
https://www.sonj.org/events/ Special Olympics New Jersey has many fun interactive virtual events happening- available to everyone. Events change weekly- check them out and register for what interests you.
Useful Webinars : https://planningforadultlife.org/we_offer/archived-webinars-20.html
Department of Human Services - Education & Training
Department of Human Services - Education & Training
College Accessibility Series
College Accessibility Series
Colleges and universities offer a wide range of services to ensure support to students with disabilities while providing certain basic disability access. However, the responsibility ultimately falls on the student to request the disability-related accommodations required. See the informative guides below developed by https://www.bestcolleges.com/ to assist you in planning your post-secondary education.
Overview of College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
How to Access College Disability Services and Accommodations
Please direct any questions regarding specific trainings/educational programs to the hosting agency.
College Guides for Students with Disabilities
Department of Human Services Education & Training Page https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/hottopics/education/
https://thinkcollege.net/ Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. Think College Search features 309 colleges and universities that offer post-secondary education programs for students with intellectual disability. Users of this searchable online database can filter by state, length of program, type of school, options for living on campus, and more.
College disability services- 7 things to know about college disability services
Resources from the Social Security Administration
Resources from the Social Security Administration
SSI Kids Toolkit.pdfBenifits for Children with Disabilities-6.pdfAn important update from DDD:
We are pleased to release the revised Supports Program Policies & Procedures Manual and Community Care Program Policies & Procedures Manual. Please note these March 2019 versions are in effect immediately and supersede all previous versions. A high-level summary of the changes to previous versions is found on page 2 of the manuals.
Support Coordination Agencies
Support Coordination Agencies
Support coordination agencies are independent, community-based entities that are Medicaid and DDD-approved to assist individuals in gaining access to needed program and State plan services, as well as needed medical, social, educational and other services. The Support Coordination Agency acts as a guide in the world of Division of Developmental Disabilities services. Support Coordinators work with you to plan for and find services that meet your needs and meet your goals.
SelectingaSupportCoordinationAgency-F.pdfEvaluatingYourFamilyMembersSupportCoordinationAgency-fillable.pdfChoosingSCAgency-Individuals-fillable.pdfAToolForEvaluatingSupportCoordinationServices-fillable.pdfEqual Opportunity Support Services- http://www.equalopportunitysupportservices.org/
Shift NJ/ Now called The Columbus Organization- https://www.columbusorg.com/the-columbus-organization-acquires-shift-new-jersey-to-become-new-jerseys-leading-support-coordination-company/ https://www.columbusorg.com/ Introductory Video (5 mins) A Complete Overview of the DDD System (27 mins)
The Role of the Support Coordinator and Potential Obstacles in the DDD System (8 Mins)
Disability Services and Advocacy- https://www.dsausa.net/
Skylands Family Support- https://skylandsfamilyservices.com/about-us/the-team/
Spectrum Care- http://www.spectrumcmc.com/
understanding-self-directed-services-and-role-of-supports-broker.pdfPersonal Preference Program- (PPP)
The New Jersey Personal Preference Program (PPP) offers an alternative way for NJ FamilyCare Plan A members who qualify for the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services benefit to remain in their home and active in their community, and does not require the use of a home health care agency.
PCA services are non-emergency, health related tasks through NJ FamilyCare. Tasks include help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and with household duties essential to the patient's health and comfort, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.
Through a monthly budget, you work with a financial consultant to develop a monthly budget, through which you will decide the services you need and the individuals and/or agencies you wish to hire to provide the identified services. If you are cognitively impaired or unable to make decisions on your own, you can choose an authorized representative to assist you.
The PPP also provides fiscal management services to assist you with the financial aspects of the program. PCG Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) is the fiscal intermediary (FI) for the PPP, and is responsible for handling payroll responsibilities, acting as a bookkeeping service, processing time sheets and issuing paychecks to your workers.
The PPP requires greater individual responsibility, but in return, offers you greater control, flexibility and choice over the services you receive.
WHY CHOOSE THE PERSONAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM?
PPP allows you:
Choose the home care services you want;
Hire workers, including people you know/trust such as friends, relatives and neighbors;
Schedule services to meet your individual needs;
Exercise greater independence and control over your life.
USING YOUR MONTHLY BUDGET
You may use your monthly budget for:
Employment of individuals, including family members, to provide personal assistance;
Cleaning services from private companies to clean your home’s personal areas including bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.;
Errand service to assist with banking, shopping, post office and other types of routine tasks; and,
Laundry service from a laundromat or other provider.
Services from a home health agency;
Equipment, small appliance, technology or other items that increase independence (e.g., microwave oven or washing machine); and,
Supplies and equipment that promote or enhance independence that are not covered by Medicaid.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be:
NJ FamilyCare Plan A eligible
Approved for Personal Care Assistant Services (PCA), and need PCA services for at least six months.
Able to self-direct services or choose a representative who can act on his/her behalf
TO APPLY
If you are enrolled in a NJ FamilyCare health plan, please contact your health plan to request a PCA assessment for enrollment into PPP.
Aetna Better Health of New Jersey
1-855-232-3596
AMERIGROUP New Jersey, Inc.
1-855-661-1996
Horizon NJ Health
1-855-465-4777
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
1-800-645-9409
WellCare
1-855-642-6185
STATE PROGRAM OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
P.O. Box 712
Trenton, NJ 08625
Telephone: 609-631-2481
Fax: 609-588-3806
Related Link: PPP Fact Sheet
Your one stop shop for news and events going on in the disability community in New Jersey!
Pre-register now for our upcoming Webinars that cover the transition process into the adult system and understanding the DDD Budget.
To pre-register, click the links below!
Transition Made Easy, A Three Part Webinar Series
Looking to better understand the options for your child that is aging out of the Children System of Care? We can help! Sign up for our 3 part webinar series by clicking here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/306062673654571534
Understanding the DDD Budget
Want to better understand how an individual's DDD budget is determined as well as an overview of the different services available? Join us to learn! Click here to register:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4202088668190521614
NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER THAN BULLYING
AntiBullying
https://njcdd.org/antibullying/
NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
Crisis Clean Up – Tropical Storm Ida, Response Resources
For New Jersey residents living in Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset Counties, you can apply with FEMA through the following ways:
The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/ or by downloading the FEMA App on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362
(TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
New Jersey residents who live outside the affected counties are encouraged to continue reporting damage (residential structures only, no vehicles) from Ida as damage assessments are ongoing. Information collected in this portal will help local, state, and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of damage impacts. The NJOEM Public Damage Reporting portal is located at https://damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com/
Also attached is information on the Home Clean Up Hotline which should be widely distributed to those in need of free muck out/gut/tarping services from NJVOAD partners.
Additional Fema Resources
Individual and Household Programs
Click Here for more information
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Human Services Continues Food Assistance Efforts Amid Pandemic and Tropical Storm Ida
NJ Human Services Delivering $140M for Summer Food Assistance Benefits for Eligible Children
P-EBT Food Assistance for Children
Human Services is delivering summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food assistance benefits to school-age children and children under 6 years of age.
P-EBT benefits were extended for the summer months following last school year during which there was a COVID-19 public health emergency.
For children in households already enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP), benefits are being loaded directly into their Families First EBT card. For children not enrolled in SNAP and who received P-EBT benefits during the school year, benefits are being loaded to the P-EBT card they received earlier this summer.
For newly eligible children for the free and reduced price school lunch program, cards are being mailed this week. These families should keep their new cards for possible future benefits.
The $375 per eligible child summer P-EBT benefit will be added to accounts of SNAP households with children under the age of six.
The Department has also continued to deliver P-EBT benefits for the 2020-2021 school year. Families already enrolled in SNAP and families who are not enrolled in SNAP are receiving benefits in their existing Families First EBT card or P-EBT cards.
Recipients can check their Families First account balance by visiting www.NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling the phone number on the back of their card.
“Food insecurity has been a concern for many during the pandemic, especially for families that rely on the nutritional support provided by the school lunch program. We’re glad we can provide additional food benefits to eligible families to ensure children have access to healthy foods as they start the new school year,” Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman said.
“This latest round of food assistance benefits continues the Department’s efforts to provide for eligible families that missed out on the free and reduced meals program due to the pandemic. We remain committed to bridging these gaps and providing the support that families need to ensure they have access to nutritious foods,” Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira said.
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Stop & Shop & Food Bazaar Join Growing List of Stores Offering SNAP Online Grocery Shopping
NJ SNAP recipients can use their EBT card for online grocery shopping.
Use your Families First EBT card to use NJSNAP to order groceries online from participating retailers, visit www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/benefits/
Stop & Shop and Food Bazaar are the latest retailers to offer online grocery shopping to New Jerseyans enrolled in SNAP.
“Online grocery shopping is convenient and in some cases necessary. We are glad that families enrolled in SNAP can take advantage of this at more grocery stores throughout the state,” Acting Commissioner Adelman said.
“SNAP families now have more options to grocery shop online. This is not only about convenience but facilitating greater access to healthy foods,” Deputy Commissioner Neira said.
“It’s great to see more grocery stores making online grocery shopping available to families enrolled in SNAP. We welcome these additions and the benefit they provide to the families we serve,” said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs the Division of Family Development which has responsibility for NJ SNAP.
In addition to Stop & Shop and Food Bazaar, NJ SNAP benefits can be used online at the following retailers: Amazon, participating Walmarts, ShopRites, The Fresh Grocers, ALDIs and Super Foodtown stores in Port Monmouth, Red Bank, Ocean, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Girt.
New Jersey Department of Human Services- Division of Developmental Disabilities
Human Services Awards Contract for New Community-Based Program for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Co-Occurring Behavioral Needs
Human Services has awarded a contract for the development of three four-bedroom behavioral health stabilization homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The $4 million contract has been awarded to YAI, Inc. to develop homes to serve individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are experiencing behavioral challenges that make it temporarily unsafe to live at home.
“These three homes – one each in northern, central and southern New Jersey – will offer a safe, nurturing environment where individuals can receive the care they need so they can get home safely and successfully,” Acting Commissioner Adelman said. “This is another step forward in our work to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and thrive in the community. With this additional support, our goal is to help individuals remain in the community and prevent hospitalization or the need for longer-term institutional care.”
The homes will be short-term placements in home-like environments staffed with professionals trained in supporting individuals with I/DD who are experiencing significant behaviors or behavior crises.
The program will not replace in-patient hospitalization when medically indicated, but will help prevent hospitalization for some individuals and will help provide a hospital discharge option to a safe and professional environment for others.
During the short-term stay, trained professionals will assess individuals and implement new behavior management techniques.
“This program will provide much-needed and highly individualized behavioral health stabilization services to the individuals served by the state and their families,” said Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Seifried, who directs the Division of Developmental Disabilities. “YAI has a solid track record of providing quality services to people with I/DD across multiple states, and DDD looks forward to partnering with them to move this project forward.”
Health & Wellness:
State of New Jersey
New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
Pfizer Boosters Available at Vaccination Locations
Booster shots are now available for all Pfizer vaccine recipients who completed their initial two-shot course at least six months ago and who are:
65 or older
A long-term care resident
An adult with underlying medical conditions
An adult at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure because of their job or living situation
If you are eligible for a Pfizer booster, you can find a vaccination site near you at covid19.nj.gov/finder.
The CDC is evaluating the available data to make additional recommendations for people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, as well as for other groups of people. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
For questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to you, call: 2-1-1.
For live text assistance, text: NJCOVID to 898-211.
NJ COVID-19 Updates
Do you have questions about when and where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, contact tracing, traveling to or from the State of New Jersey, or even finding a new job? The State of New Jersey offers up-to-date information, resources, and guidance at our COVID-19 Information Hub.
Mask Up in Risky Indoor Situations
Due to increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and new data suggesting that the COVID-19 Delta variant is more transmissible among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, New Jersey is now strongly recommending that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear face masks in indoor settings when:
The space is crowded
There is close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated
The vaccine status of other individuals is unknown
Individuals that are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease are present Mask Up
NJ Department of Health
In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The NJ Department of Health has begun accepting requests for in-home COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
If you are unable to leave home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or are the healthcare provider or family caregiver of someone who is homebound, you may request an in-home vaccination appointment by completing a form at: covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax
For assistance completing the survey by phone, please call the NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545.
After you submit the completed form, the Department of Health will share information with a home health agency, local health department, or other vaccination providers and you will be contacted to schedule an in-home vaccination appointment.
You can read more about the program at this website:
In order to receive protection as soon as possible, if you are able to safely attend a medical appointment outside the home, we encourage you to book an appointment at an open vaccination site if an opportunity occurs before an in-home appointment is made available to you.
Peri L. Nearon, MPA
Executive Director, Division of Disability Services
Contacts: NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-962-1253 or 1-800-222-1222. Email us at NJCDD@NJCDD.org with questions or requests for additional information.
Vaccines are available for FREE to everyone in New Jersey
Everyone 12 or older who lives, works, or studies in New Jersey can now get their COVID-19 vaccine. When we say everyone, we mean EVERYONE – even fans of the New England Patriots.
COVID-19 vaccines are FREE, and you can get vaccinated whether you have insurance or not and regardless of your documentation status.
Vaccine sites may request documentation, but you are not required to have it to receive the vaccine and you cannot be denied access to the vaccine for not having an ID.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine is easy.
P.S. If you've decided to get one and just need to choose where to do it:
Make an appointment or attend a pop-up or mobile vaccination event in your community. It's up to you!
Know someone who needs to get vaccinated? Share this message with your friends and family.
Legislative:
NJ Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS)
Public Comment Period Open for 1115 NJ FamilyCare Demonstration Renewal
The 1115 NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive Demonstration (formerly Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver), which governs the operations of significant components of the state Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is due to expire on June 30, 2022. The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) intends to submit its renewal application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Fall 2021.
In advance of that submission, DMAHS has published the Draft Renewal Proposal and is accepting public comment on the proposed changes. All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this process and provide comment. The areas that specifically relate to the Division of Developmental Disabilities begin on page 18 of the Draft Renewal Proposal.
DHS/DMAHS is holding a 1115 Renewal Public Hearing via webinar on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 9:30 am. You can register here for the 9/27 Renewal Public Hearing Webinar.
Comments on or inquiries about the Draft Renewal Proposal must be submitted in writing by October 11, 2021:
By Email:
DMAHS.CMWcomments@dhs.nj.gov
By Fax:
609-588-7343
By Mail:
Margaret Rose
Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
P.O. Box 712, Mail Code #26
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0712
Please note that comments will continue to be accepted after October 11, 2021, but DHS may not be able to consider those comments prior to the initial submission to CMS. For more information, visit the DMAHS 1115 NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive Demonstration Renewal Request resource page.
Additionally, the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities has developed a guide booklet, Sharing Your Vision in Advocacy: Providing Stakeholder Input, with information for individuals about providing input about how they would like supports and services to help them achieve the life they want.
Fun Things To Do:
Skyland Stadium Jack-O-Lantern Experience
Daily from Fri Oct 1, 2021 - Sun Nov 7, 2021
5:00pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: $19 - $24; Children under 36" tall enter for free
Skylands Stadium is transformed with more than 6,000 jack-o'-lanterns. The stadium and surrounding cornfields are set ablaze by this stunning display. See spectacular visuals and enjoy a thrilling fall festival on the grounds.
The fall festival features a Ferris wheel, carousel, pumpkin painting, live music, and more.
http://skylandsstadium.com/jackolantern/
Downtown Cranford 14th Annual Scarecrow Stroll
Fri Oct 15, 2021 - Sun Oct 31, 2021
Various times
Age: All
Price: Free
Location: Downtown Cranford
Cranford hosts its 14th Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.
https://downtowncranford.org/events
Access for All (AFA) Mahwah Halloween Bingo
Halloween Bingo 10/22 on Fri 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Location is Mahwah Senior Center
Free Bingo (including Braille boards) plus candy prizes
Hosted by DJ Scott Rubin
Wear your best Halloween costume!
Snacks/Water to be served!
Photo booth will be available!
RSVP by 10/18 to afamahwah@hotmail.com
An Important Message About Medicaid Renewals
Dear Guardians and Caregivers,
Now that the height of the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us, we wanted to reach out to remind caregivers of Medicaid Eligibility Renewals. Typically, this process occurs annually. However, for the last few years, this process has been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Beginning in April 2023, the process of renewing one's Medicaid eligibility will resume.
Renewal applications are sent via the US Postal Service and require immediate attention as your state government office will be requesting information and supporting documentation to complete the renewal process to maintain one's Medicaid eligibility.
Your support coordinator also receives a copy of these documents. If you need assistance or have questions regarding this process, please be sure to contact your adult child's support coordinator.
Best regards,
Kristina Olszewski
Traditional Day Programs Director- The Arc of Essex County
Our Contact Information
The Arc of Essex County
123 Naylon Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
973-535-1181
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