NJ Return Home Program Nears End

TRENTON — The Christie Administration’s practice of requiring developmentally disabled people getting subsidized care out-of-state to return to New Jersey would end under a bill approved unanimously by the State Assembly on Thursday.

The bill to end the state’s “Return Home New Jersey” program was passed by a vote of 79-0 with one seat vacant. Having already drawn Senate approval, it is expected to be signed by Governor Christie, because it is the product of negotiation between the Democratic majority and the administration, said a spokeswoman for the Democratic majority.

The state Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities, noting the ongoing growth of supportive housing for the disabled, states the goal of “Return Home New Jersey” has been to return individuals “to a comparable or better setting in New Jersey … and to better manage the state resources that serve the community of nearly 29,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New Jersey.”

NJ Assembly Considers Halting Transfers

Two unexplained deaths, push to return residents from out-of-state centers, disturb families and advocates.

Dawn Apgar

They also want to stop the state from forcing the return of developmentally disabled residents who have been living in out-of-state facilities.Alarmed by reports of two deaths after the state transferred patients out of developmental centers into group homes, legislators are calling for a moratorium on any more transfers pending further investigations.

N.J. Saves Sheltered Workshops

defendingThe state’s sheltered workshop program will continue after participants and their families rallied the Legislature to keep it in place as an option for adults with disabilities to do meaningful paid jobs in safe and supportive workplaces despite their challenges.
Earlier this year, the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities announced plans to begin phasing out and defunding sheltered workshops, including a program at the nonprofit Burlington County Occupational Training Center in Burlington Township, in favor of reformed and expanded supportive work programs that would focus on moving the population into competitive employment in the community.

Workers at the Occupational Training
Center in Burlington Township.

The reform was in keeping with New Jersey’s commitment as an “Employment First” state that recognizes that “competitive employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred post-education outcome for people with any type of disability.” While providers, including the OTC, applaud the shift in focus and would still deliver the services, they argued that the state shouldn’t eliminate all other options.

N.J. Prepares for More Group Homes

Kelly is the very embodiment of one of the biggest issues confronting New Jersey as it revolutionizes the way it cares for the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Christiana Sarfo of Arc of Morris County
 lifting resident Kelly from her bed
 at a Parsippany group home

But she doesn’t know anything about that. Like her five housemates at a group home run by the Arc of Morris County, she suffers from a range of severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

Your first impression when you walk into her room is that the occupant is a small child.

N.J. Bill to Increase Awareness of Programs Availalable for People with Disabilities

TRENTON, N.J. -- The quality of life for New Jerseyans with developmental disabilities is not improving, and in fact is diminishing due to the economic crisis. However, a ray of hope exists with a recent attempt by members of the State Legislature to begin with a compilation of data about these individuals.
New Jersey State Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Upendra Chivukula and Ruben J. Ramos Jr. have introduced a bill in the lower house that is designed to arouse public awareness of New Jerseyans with Developmental Disabilities, and to increase enrollment of these individuals with special needs in public programs that were created to serve them.