1-25-2021  Announcement from DDD:

 The following is a helpful resource for our individuals/families to use.  www.NJHelps.org is a website that offers straightforward, plain language resource information. What I think is awesome is that it has a screening tool—a 9-step questionnaire—that, depending on the info you plug in, will suggest different programs you may be eligible for:

(TRENTON) –  New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will receive at least a 15 percent increase in benefits in January to help address food needs related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

A 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits was included in the recently signed federal relief legislation and will be in effect through June.

FROM DHS:

Below is a helpful link to mental health services available throughout the state.  

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Dir_COMPLETE.pdf

Beginning in mid-December and continuing into early 2021, vaccine access will be given to New Jersey’s Phase 1A Group: health care workers, who are paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.  Phase 1A also includes long-term care residents and staff.

The Phase 1A definition of health care workers includes Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the State’s Developmental Centers and IDD group homes, day programs, and Self-Directed Employees in private homes. 

• FY2021 Wage Increase for Direct Support Professionals and Supervisors
• Temporary Residential Provider Funding
• Register for DDD COVID-19 Update Webinars for January 2021 

Use links below  for Webinar viewing and downloading of Slides for webinar and EVV Overview

• COVID-19
• December Webinars 
• Guidance Updates 
• Closure of Congregate Day Services 
• Field Work Adjustments 
• Visitation in Licensed Residential Settings 
• SDE Pre-Employment Screenings 
• Fight the Flu! 

This COVID-19 DDD update webinar was presented by Dep't of Human Services Assistant Commissioner, Jonathan Seifried and reviewed a number of important changes to DDD's COVID-19 policy including:

• State and DDD-Specific COVTD-19 Statistics
• November Webinars
• Fight the Flu!
• FFS Transition/Agency with Choice Update
• SDE Pre-Employment Screenings
• Holiday Season 2020
• Day Services Update
• Office of Program Integrity and Accountability
• January 1, 2021 DSP Wage Increase
• EW Information
• Resources