Gov. Chris Christie has long spoken of the state’s moral obligation to
recognize the individuality and unique needs of every New Jerseyan with a
developmental disability. This year’s budget reaffirms the Administration’s
commitment to a fundamental rethinking of how people with developmental
disabilities receive support and services.
New Jersey has a system of care in place for children and adults with
autism and other developmental disabilities, but it can be confusing, difficult
to navigate and frustrating for families just learning of a diagnosis. These
critical services — including early intervention, special education, behavioral
health support, disability services, employment assistance and housing options —
span six different cabinet-level agencies of state
government.
While independently and collaboratively, the departments strive to meet
the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families, there is
an opportunity to make state government more responsive and accessible to New
Jerseyans who need these services. Gov. Christie and his administration are
seizing this opportunity.
To
ensure there is an integrated continuum of services responsive to the whole
child and the whole family, Gov. Christie announced a common sense restructuring
during his fiscal year 2013 budget address that moves all services for children
with developmental disabilities from the Department of Human Services to the
Department of Children and Families, beginning in July.
This move and creation of the Division of Child Integrated System of
Care Services within DCF is one that stakeholders have applauded and one that,
we agree, will benefit families seeking a single point of
entry.
DCF is family centered and has the expertise and infrastructure in place
to serve children with developmental disabilities. This restructuring ends the
historic fragmentation that now exists – particularly for families whose
children need services and supports from both departments. With its wide-ranging
network of community services, DCF is positioned to provide a holistic approach
to serving children with autism and other developmental disabilities. DCF and
DHS will ensure a seamless transition to provide needed services and supports as
part of a transition plan for older youth moving into the adult
system
Since fiscal year 2011, aging out services have been fully funded. This
means that young adults with developmental disabilities who are no longer
eligible for the special education entitlement and who are not involved in a
work activity participate in day programs.
Also, there is an array of in-home services and supports that allow
families to care for an adult child with autism or other developmental
disability, reducing the need for institutionalization or out-of-home
placement.
Further, DHS continues to advance efforts to move individuals residing
in the state’s developmental centers to the community. The governor’s FY’13
budget provides nearly $40 million to ensure community living
opportunities.
In
addition, we are working with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services on New Jersey’s Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver application. Our goal is
to increase community-based services for children and adults with developmental
disabilities. Integral to this is the Supports Program, which will promote
in-home, self-directed services for adults with autism and other developmental
disabilities; a program to provide intensive in-home assistance for children
with the dual diagnosis of mental illness and autism or other developmental
disabilities, and; evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis therapies for
Medicaid-covered children up to age 12, who are diagnosed with a pervasive
developmental disorder, which includes autism.
The CDC’s recent report on the prevalence of autism makes even more
important Gov. Christie’s commitment to the vital work under way in New Jersey
to reshape and enhance our service system.
The
ideas, assistance and support that we have received from families, advocates and
professionals across our state have played an essential role in creating a
continuum of care that will continue to evolve and be responsive to the complex
needs of children and adults with autism and other developmental
disabilities
