Toms River Mayor's Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities

05/11/2016

People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent. - Bob Dylan

Lets change the way we think and start believing in change.

04/27/2016

03/02/2016

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/why-hire-disabled-workers_b_9292912.html

The disability community, from grassroots advocates to powerful cross-disability organizations, devotes a lot of time and energy to proving the value of ...

12/24/2015

Jackson Twp School District SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) is excited to announce they will be hosting; Jennifer Joyce; Dir of Support Program & Employment Services; Div. of Developmental Disabilities Rosemary Browne: Assistant Division Director; Children’s System of Care, Joe Guarracino; Rehab Counselor; Div. of Vocational Rehabilitation Values into Action, NJ; support coordination agency at their next scheduled meeting on Monday, January 11, 2016

The event will run from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, with a Q & A period at the end. While there is a good amount of seating, pls plan to arrive early.

See attachment. Please share with your groups.

This event is free!!

Hope to see you there!!

11/03/2015

The committee would like to thank DCF assistant commissioner Elizabeth Manley for sharing so much important and helpful information last Wednesday!

10/08/2015

Update from The NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 2:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Division Update

Hello Division Constituents and Community Partners,

Please see the following important Division-related news, including a stakeholder announcement forwarded on behalf of Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly.

I encourage you to forward this update to anyone who may have an interest in the information. If you received this e-news bulletin as a forward and would like to receive Division news directly, please send an email to [email protected] with Division Update Subscribe in the subject line.

Thank you,

Liz Shea

Elizabeth M. Shea
Assistant Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities

Communication from New Jersey Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly

Dear Stakeholder,

There are several projects on which the department’s various divisions will be working closely in a joint or collaborative manner and I have been looking for someone to coordinate and manage these initiatives. Last week, I asked Deputy Commissioner Dawn Apgar to take on this critical role and she has accepted the challenge. Dawn’s research background will be key as we pursue and advance national best practices within our programs and services across the department. As such, Deputy Commissioner Apgar no longer will be overseeing the Divisions of Developmental Disabilities or Mental Health and Addiction Services. Those division directors will report to me, directly. I’m excited about this new function and the value it brings to the department and to all of you. Please join me in congratulating Dawn on this strategic assignment.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Connolly
Acting Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services


New NJ CAT Web Resource

As you know, all individuals who are currently receiving or eligible to receive Division-funded services are being reassessed through the most current version of the NJ CAT (NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool). This assessment survey will ensure that, as the transition to a Medicaid-based, fee-for-service system is implemented over the next 12-18 months, the Division has the most up-to-date information regarding the support needs of the individuals we serve.

In response to some confusion/concern about the NJ CAT, and to specific requests from individuals, families and providers, we have added a NJ CAT web resource page to the Division’s website.

Please note that the actual “live” assessment is conducted through the Rutgers Developmental Disabilities Planning Institute (DDPI), either over the phone with a DDPI representative or via a password-protected link that is emailed directly to the survey informant from DDPI. A “non-live” PDF version of the NJ CAT survey is available for review only on the NJ CAT resource page.

Reminder – CCW Webinar in October

DDD’s Community Care Waiver (CCW): An Informational Overview for Stakeholders

This webinar will give an overview of DDD’s Community Care Waiver (CCW), including eligibility criteria, available services, and common misconceptions. The renewal of the CCW, which has been in existence since 1982, is currently awaiting final approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Once approval is received, the Division will submit proposed amendments to the CCW.

This webinar will also discuss where the Division is in the process of renewing the CCW as well as DDD’s proposed amendments to the CCW, and will provide direction regarding the opportunity for stakeholder input to the proposed amendments. The webinar – which is presented by Elizabeth M. Shea, Assistant Commissioner and Kelli Rice, Director, Community Care Waiver Unit, and will include a live Q&A period – is available on the following two dates:

Friday, October 23, 2015

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM -AND/OR-

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

REGISTER NOW for one or both of the Community Care Waiver Webinars

Questions? Visit the Division on the web at www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd.

08/20/2015

Please Spread The Word & Save the Date:
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Toms River Town Hall - 33 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Hirschblonde Room

Elizabeth Manley the Assistance Commissioner of the NJ Division of Children & Families (DCF) and Perform Care will present on topics that include Services, Eligibility and Enrollment and Future plans for the Children’s System of Care. Q&A will close the session!

Please Like and Share will friends and groups who may benefit.

Hosted by the Toms River Mayor's Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities

06/23/2015

Question of the week: “Will my child lose the CCW or supports program when I pass away? And will they have to move to a group home when that happens?”

Answer: When both parents or legal guardians pass away and there is not a living option set up prior, their child will become an emergency. If effective planning is started and set up prior to any life changing event, it gives the family antiquate time to prepare for the future. Outside of traditional group home options, individuals do have the option to live independently in their community with paid supports using their CCW or supports program budgets. Housing vouchers can be obtained through section 8 and other programs. Individuals and families should start planning with their support coordinator or case manager if they plan on living in the community. It is never too early to start planning!