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The Department of Human Services is determining funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2017 and that means now is the time to weigh in with Commissioner Connolly about the issues impacting individuals with I/DD.
Please take a few moments and help us advocate for additional money to address the Community Waiting List and the need for housing vouchers. In addition, we are hearing more and more from families and community providers that it is getting noticeably harder to find and retain direct support staff. Direct support staffers are critically-important to a successful life in the community for people with I/DD. With this in mind, if you or your loved one is experiencing the impacts of this support staff workforce shortage, please be sure to include that in your letter.
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Taking Action:
Below you will find talking points that you can refer to when writing to the Commissioner. These talking points are meant as a guide and we strongly encourage you to personalize your correspondence. The unique details about you and your loved one with I/DD is what makes your message strong.
Thank you for participating in our advocacy efforts. Your voices are crucial to our success.
- Approximately 3,200 individuals are recognized by the State as Priorities on the Community Waiting List and regrettably, becoming an emergency is the most common path for a person to be removed from the Waiting List and enrolled onto the Waiver. Our grassroots advocacy last year resulted in increased funds to address this issue. With this momentum, we must now continue the progress by moving 330 people in FY17. This effort is part two of a three-year initiative to move 1,000 people off the Waiting List.
- Vouchers are what allow a person with I/DD, who may be employed or who is capable of living independently but with supports, to live an integrated life among friends and neighbors. The expense of housing in New Jersey is high and this is especially true for people with I/DD who are typically living on low-incomes and low salaries. With this in mind, we are requesting that the State fund 300 additional housing vouchers, specifically for individuals with I/DD, in FY17.
- Community providers are facing an urgent and daunting workforce shortage. The struggle to hire and retain direct support staff has intensified and this provides significant challenges to both provider agencies and families looking to purchase services with the budget dollars they are allotted. We urge the Department of Human Services to recognize this growing concern and to take action before this shortage gets worse and turns into a crisis situation.
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Steps for Providing Input:
Comments are due by close of business on Friday, November 20, 2015.
Send via email to:
-or-
Send by traditional mail to:
NJ Department of Human Services
PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ 08625-0700,
Attention: Commissioner's Office
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