Ask the State to Make the Revised Version of Its Transition Plan Public

Dear Families,

As you are now aware, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is required to create a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Transition Plan that will show how the State intends to comply with new federal guidelines. Families across New Jersey weighed in heavily with DHS about their concerns regarding the Plan and the State has requested an extension from the original deadline date, and is now revising their draft based on the comments they received. We are asking the State to make the revised version of the Plan public before the final submission is sent to the federal government. We believe the extension presents families, self-advocates and stakeholders with an additional opportunity to provide feedback. We encourage families to act quickly, as the 30-day extension requested by DHS is already underway.

Because of the importance of the Transition Plan, and the significant impact it will have on individuals and their loved ones, we are pleased to see the State spending additional time evaluating the feedback they received. However, for DHS to produce the best possible outline for the developmental disability system in New Jersey going forward, families and self-advocates must be involved. The Transition Plan will alter the developmental disability system in New Jersey for years to come and we feel that those most impacted should be a part of the process.

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Taking Action:

1. Contact Lowell Arye, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Human Services, and ask the State to share a copy of the Statewide Transition Plan with the public before submitting it to CMS.

2. Tell the Deputy Commissioner to engage stakeholders as the process of drafting the Transition Plan continues. Families and self-advocates should not only be allowed to see the plan before it's submitted, but also be given ample time to review the changes and make comments in response.

3. Explain to decision-makers that transparency matters and any change made to this plan will have a significant impact on your loved one.

4. To contact the Deputy Commissioner, email [email protected] or write to: Lowell Arye, Deputy Commissioner NJ Department of Human Services P.O. Box 700 Trenton, NJ 08625-0700.