The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) serves individuals 21 years of age and older. Please read the important information below sent out by DDD on August 16, 2017

The below email addresses the following two items:
  1. Staff Change at the Division
  2. Changes to Contribution to Care in Residential Settings
Posted by DDD on 8.16.17

 
Dear Division Constituents and Community Partners,
 
Please see the important announcements below about changes here at the Division.
 
Thank you,

Elizabeth M. Shea
Assistant Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities

Please be advised that Assistant Division Director Christine James is leaving state service for work in the private sector, effective  August 18, 2017 . Chris's longstanding roots in and passion for the developmental disabilities field made her an ideal candidate to come on board in 2013 to oversee the Division's quality improvement and system reform efforts. Her commitment to person-centered service delivery has helped re-shape Division operations from the ground up, and her knowledge, skill and expertise have been integral to moving us toward a fully implemented fee-for-service system.
 
We extend our deepest gratitude to Christine for the exemplary service she has provided to this Division and to the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve.
 
The following staff changes will go into effect beginning August 18, 2017:
 
  • All Case Management functions, as well as the Family Support Unit, will report to Mariana Pietrunti.
  • The Support Coordination Unit and the Provider Performance and Monitoring Unit will report to Jennifer Joyce.
  • All Quality Improvement and Risk Management functions will report to Heather Ciociola.

 
Changes to Contribution to Care in Residential Settings
In the current contract-based service model, an individual living in a Division-funded residential setting such as a group home or supervised apartment (or his/her representative payee) is required to pay the State of New Jersey a  Contribution to Care amount equal to 75% of the individual's monthly income (supplemental security income, employment wages, etc.).

While individuals will continue to be required to contribute toward their housing-related costs in the fee-for-service system, the amount and process of remitting this contribution will change.

In the fee-for-service system, an individual living in a Division-funded residential setting will be required to pay  30% of his/her monthly income  to the 
residential service provider toward the cost of rent. That amount will be supplemented by a Division-funded housing voucher administered through the Supportive Housing Connection (SHC), which will cover the remaining cost of rent.

As individuals living in a Division-funded residential setting are identified to shift into fee-for-service, they/their guardian will receive a letter in the mail indicating the date their rental payment to the residential service provider will begin.  At the time an individual begins paying the residential provider directly toward the cost of rent, he/she may cease making the current Contribution to Care payments.  Please note that any past due payments that have accrued will still be expected to be paid to the State.

It's important to note that  residential service providers also may assess an additional monthly fee or percentage of an individual's monthly income  to be paid toward other related, non-covered living expenses, such as food, utilities, etc. This extra fee/contribution will vary by provider. Any questions related to this charge should be directed toward the individual's residential service provider.

For additional resources regarding housing-related changes in the fee-for-service system, please visit the Division's Community Living Options web page.