The Central Office in Trenton oversees all division operations. All services to the division’s consumers are coordinated through the Regional Assistant Director’s Offices and Community Services Offices, which are listed at the end of this overview.

What is a developmental disability?

State law defines a developmental disability as "a severe, chronic disability which :

 is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments; or combination of mental or physical impairments;

1. is manifest before age 22;
2. is likely to continue indefinitely;
3. results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity, that is, self care, receptive and expressive of economic self sufficiency; and
4. reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of life-long or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. Developmental disability includes but is not limited to severe disabilities attributable to mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida, and other neurological impairments where the above criteria are met.

To apply for services from DDD, an individual must contact the Community Services Office serving the county in which they live. The Intake Office guides applicants through the application process, makes eligibility and service recommendations, and provides information and referrals. Eligibility determinations are made through eight Community Services Offices.

The availability of services depends upon current resources and the types of available services vary in each county. A division case manager is assigned to each individual to assist in coordinating services and supports. In addition to case management, DDD provides guardianship services to protect an individual’s rights and to ensure that care and treatment are appropriate. DDD also assists parents in becoming legal guardians of their adult children.

Other services include: family support, residential services, day programs and supported employment services. Most of these services are provided through contracts with private organizations or individual contractors. Individuals who receive residential services may be required to contribute towards the cost from their disability benefits or other personal resources.

 
The case manager is assigned as soon as an individual is admitted to the Division’s service system. Clients are visited by their case managers on a regular basis both at home and in the training or work facility. In addition, case managers are available to clients and their families as needed to answer questions and lend assistance.

Clients or their families/guardians may contact their case managers for information or assistance regarding:

Caseload Statistics*

*data as of June, 2000

^not included in the count of consumers are 877 individuals on caseloads of par time case managers or on non traditional (e.g., persons assigned to behaviorists or nurses, in Purchase of Care, temporarily assigned to supervisors, etc.).

Primary Caseload - Individuals needing and benefiting from comprehensive case management services and who do not receive intensive services through a private provider agency.  Included in this group are consumers in Skill Development Homes and Foster Care.

Program Caseload - Individuals receiving intensive services through a private provider agency and Self-Determination.  The case manager's role is general oversight.

Resource Caseload - Individuals not needing or wanting comprehensive case management services.  This is primary an information and referral service for consumers and for this report includes caseloads for those only receiving employment or family support services.

Guardianship

Every adult client of the Division of Developmental Disabilities has the right to obtain a guardian through the Bureau of Guardianship Services. Guardians appointed through the Bureau are authorized to make personal decisions for individuals who are not capable of making these decisions independently.

A personal guardian is responsible for:

Do all developmentally disabled persons need guardianship?

No. Guardianship is necessary only for an individual who lacks the ability to make decisions. Although their judgment may be flawed, many clients are capable of making their own decisions with appropriate support and advice.

The Division is required by state law to evaluate all clients approaching age 18, or admitted for services at 18 or older, and decide whether guardianship is needed. If so, the Division will file an action in court after determining whether a family member or other person is willing and able to serve as guardian; If no one is located, the Division asks the court to appoint the Bureau of Guardianship Services.

If there is a large amount of money or property in the client’s name, a family member may wish to be appointed guardian of his/her estate. In this case, the family member may seek guardianship of the state through the courts at his/her own expense.

It is preferable that one individual be named guardian, to avoid disputes between guardians over decisions for which they are responsible.

The guardian should get as much information as possible before making a decision. In addition, the guardian should participate in all important conference regarding the client’s programs, particularly the annual meeting when his/her individual plan is developed.

Program related decisions are made by the Division’s professional staff rather than the guardian. However, the guardian has the right to be involved in developing and reviewing the client’s program plans and to withhold consent for major program changes. A guardian also may appeal a program decision and, if necessary, seek a hearing on the matter.

Person guardianship is arranged for Division clients at no cost to the appointed guardian, according to current law. A guardian’s only financial responsibility is that of signing applications for benefits or other entitlements for which the client may be eligible.

Yes. The Bureau maintains contact with families or other interested parties, keeps them informed and consults with them in decision making.

The court that initial appointed a guardian may be petitioned at any time to terminate or transfer guardianship. As of 1990, the Division will be required to review each client’s guardianship at least one every three years. A court-appointed guardian may name a replacement guardian in his/her will, subject to court approval after the guardian’s death.

There currently is a Community Services "Waiting List" for residential programs and a separate "day Program Waiting List" for adult day or supported employment programs. Individuals are served in the order in which their names were added to the lists.

DDD assists individuals in remaining at home as long as possible by providing support services to individuals and to their families, who are providing care. The division arranges for employment or skill training to support an individual in learning personal or job skills, obtaining a job or becoming involved in the local community. Through what is known as "person-centered planning," an Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP) is developed. The plan takes into consideration an individual’s needs, abilities and preferences. An individual’s case manager coordinates the plan.

To give developmentally disabled persons the support they need to live in community-based homes, the Division of Developmental Disabilities offers Home Assistance. This program offers services that enable the individual to remain in the community, including:

Respite care provides care for the developmentally disabled person in the absence of the parent. Its purpose is to give short-term relief to the parent, either on a routine basis or in emergencies. This service may be provided in the family’s home, at the home of a respite worker or in a specialized respite facility or community residence. It is available when parents want to attend to business, go to a social function or take a break and relax.

People with severe physical disabilities may require the help of one or more persons at a time for hygiene, grooming, eating and/or mobility. Personal care offers trained providers to assist parents in daily care. Providers are available to help with basic care as well as transporting the person to the program van or bus.

Families of physically disabled persons often need specialized or adaptive items to provide basic care to transport the individual to places in the community. Where standard equipment such as wheelchairs may be paid at least partially with insurance most policies cover only medical-related items. Other needed devices are available to qualified families through the Home Assistance Program.

Home Assistance is offered to New Jersey resident with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and spina bifida. However, it’s available only to individuals who:

Family Support Services

The Family Support program is designed to maintain and enhance the quality of life for an individual with a developmental disability who is living with a family member. Family Support offers in-home or out-of-home respite care to provide time off for caregivers. Other services include: tutoring, recreational programs, camps, specialized equipment or behavioral management training that may be necessary to enable home care of the family member. The Family Support Council, made up of family members of individuals served by the division, makes recommendations to DDD on the types of supports needed by families.

Day Programs are shifting from self-contained programs to programs that offer greater community participation. DDD is committed to creating a network of supports and activities to meet a variety of needs: