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FUNDING SOURCES
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) DMHAS provides public mental health services to individuals with serious mental illness and addictions through provider agencies statewide. As part of a settlement agreement with Disability Rights New Jersey, this Division has been developing more supportive housing arrangements generally with a combination of housing vouchers and access to supportive services. Individuals with greater needs may be discharged from state psychiatric hospitals into supervised apartments and group homes referred to as “legacy homes.” Services will be funded through the Community Support Services Rehabilitation Program delivered by community provider agencies statewide. Rental assistance vouchers will be administered and managed by the Supported Housing Connection for eligible individuals. Many other social service organizations recognize that having the security of a safe place to live is crucial to a person recovering from a mental illness. Individuals with mental health conditions need a full array of supports in order to seek recovery. In addition to locating affordable housing and supportive services, people need employment, education, health and wellness, transportation and medication supervision. Periodically, individuals experiencing de-compensation may need additional supports such as food preparation, medication administration, and housekeeping. The intensity of a person’s needs dictates the level of supports that they require at any given time. DMHAS serves people with serious mental illness and addictions; however, there are programs and services addressing co-occurring diagnosis for persons with both developmental disabilities and mental illness. Self-help and family support groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness supply information, education and advocacy WWWNAMINJO rg .
FAPE
WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN? All children, including children with a disability, are entitled by law to a Free Appropriate Public Education that is designed to meet their individual needs. In some instances when a child’s educational needs cannot be met within a local school setting, the local educational agency funds a placement within a residential school to meet the child’s educational needs. Educational entitlement ends after the school year following the person’s 21st birthday.
For the New Jersey Department of Education’s Parental Rights in Special Education booklet go to WWWSTATENJUSEDUCATIONSPECIALEDFORMPRISE PRISEPDF . At the age of 18, an individual or guardian can apply to DDD to be determined eligible for DDD services as an adult. The Department of Children and Families is responsible to provide all direct services (residential, in-home, behavioral, family support, etc.) until age 21 and has their own requirements for eligibility and service delivery.
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