• Which services are currently being received or the amount of the budget granted to purchase services
• What a person’s status is on a waiting list and how many individuals with developmental disabilities are expected to be served within the next twelve months
• How to easily update personal information with caseworkers
• Where information about services for persons with developmental disabilities and their families can be found
In addition, DHS must annually publish a report, to be available on its website, containing aggregate data about eligible persons with developmental disabilities, including:
• The number of eligible persons by disability or diagnosis by county
• The number of persons residing in developmental centers who have expressed a desire to reside in the community but are still awaiting placement
• An explanation of how DHS determines to place an eligible person on a waiting list maintained by DHS, what criteria determine a person’s priority level and ranking within that priority level on the list and how a person is selected from the list to receive services
• The number of people who are waiting for residential services; employment or day support services; family support services and behavioral support services
• The year in which persons requested placement on any DHS-maintained waiting list
DHS will report to the Governor and Legislature two years after the effective date of the bill, as to the progress of the data collection and reporting. The bill takes effect thirteen months after its enactment, in February, 2013. Autism New Jersey believes that public knowledge of this information is vital to both the executive and legislative branches of state government to make informed decisions on funding and overall policy for individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.
Autism New Jersey applauds DHS and Commissioner Jen Velez for their enlightened response to this bill as it was developed and the Arc of New Jersey for its genesis of the legislation.
Butterfly This was Autism New Jersey at work. How did we successfully advocate for this bill? Substantive analysis was offered to the legislature at key points in the process. We considered the impact on our constituents at all times while serving as their "voice," and provided the push necessary to bring this bill to the point where the Senate would pass it in time for enactment during this legislative session.
Reprinted from Autism New Jersey E-News -- January 2012.
