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THE JOURNEY TO COMMUNITY HOUSING WITH SUPPORTS
4HE .EW *ERSEY $EPARTMENT OF (UMAN 3ERVICES NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) WHAT IS THE NJ DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DDD)?
Parents often ask, “What happens when I can no longer care for my adult child?”
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), within the NJ Department of Human Services, is a leading governmental agency supplying of community services for individuals with I/DD. DDD funds all residential services and supports for adults with I/DD within New Jersey through Medicaid funded services. The majority of those served by DDD live at home with their families, may receive supports in their own homes or in unli- censed settings, and may receive supportive services including day habilitation or employment. A smaller number of individu- als receive funding to live within licensed community residenc- es, independent and supportive living apartments. There are limited resources for community-based residential supports for eligible individuals in emergent need of housing or incapable of living with family. The law requires that DDD services be designed to maximize developmental potential and shall be provided in a manner which is least restrictive of each PERSONS PERSONAL LIBERTY .*3! $ $$$ CAN ASSIGN people to waiting lists for the waiver when services are not immediately available. For Medicaid and DDD eligible recipients who have been assessed to be in need, DDD has regulations to serve a person more quickly in an emergency. Service options depend upon the available resources. It is important that individuals have an understanding of DDD’s most current regulations particularly those related to an emergency. For more information, go to WWWNJGOVHUMANSERVICESDDDNEWSPUBLICATIONSDIVI SIONCIRCULARSHTML Circumstances may change where individuals urgently need residential services before reaching the top of the Community Care Waiver waiting list. If an emergency exists, it is up to the family to bring the situation to the attention of DDD. This state agency will determine, if an individual’s circumstances meet their criteria of an emergency. If it does, the person will be moved to the top of the list to receive services. If there is disagreement about whether an emergency exists, whether services offered meets the emergency standard, or whether the long-term supports are adequate, the consumer can appeal DDD’s determination.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR DDD SERVICES?
s Diagnosis of a physical or mental impairment including but not limited to autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida or neurological impairment; s A severe and chronic disability must manifest before the person reached age 22 and is expected to be lifelong; and Adults age 21 and older can be eligible to receive services under DDD when they meet the functional criteria of developmental disabilities, are legal residents of the US and NJ, and are eligible for Medicaid. The definition of I/DD is as follows:
s Difficulties in at least three areas of life activities including
self-care, learning, mobility, decision-making, and communication including receptive and expressive language, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) SSI is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to eligible children and adults in need. In New Jersey, individuals who are determined eligible for SSI are also eligible for Medicaid.
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