State: New Jersey

New Jersey Task Force on Improving Special Education for Public School Students Report (2015)

The Task Force identified numerous topics relevant to the charges mandated by the legislation and requested and examined extensive data from the New Jersey Department of Education (Department), including federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant awards, special education student counts by eligibility category and placement, post-school outcomes, proficiency rates for students with disabilities, sample monitoring reports, dispute resolution activities, and private schools for students with disabilities. In addition, the Task Force invited speakers who presented on various topics including the following: funding, monitoring, approved private schools for students with disabilities, and the dispute resolution process. The Task Force also reviewed the reports of the previous task forces that have examined these issues. In October, the Task Force formed the following three subgroups, in order to expedite deliberations: Classifying, Educating, and Best Practice; Funding, Accountability, and Reducing Costs; and Standards and Oversight. Each subgroup designated a chair and a secretary to record minutes. The subgroups convened in addition to the Task Force meetings to discuss the assigned topics in more detail and develop recommendations for the Task Force’s consideration.

The Task Force is presenting 27 recommendations for consideration.

Links:

New Jersey Task force releases report on special education in schools
New Jersey Task Force on Improving Special Education for Public School Students Report

New Jersey DHS Division of DD Olmstead Plan (2007)

Action Step 8: Expansion of Community Supports (RFP to expand agencies qualified to provide housing, residential, employment/day medical, and behavioral supports) with outcome of 63 agencies qualified to provide employment/day supports, and

Action Step 9: Identification of Independent Support Coordination Agencies with a goal of awarding support coordination contracts to six additional agencies qualified for employment/day supports.

Links:

New Jersey DHS Division of DD Olmstead Plan

New Jersey Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Research Assistance to States (MIG-RATS) Center launched a website to provide resources and support to states implementing MIGs. The website is designed to help staff find research reports and resources, learn about MIG-RATS activities and initiatives, and connect with MIG researchers. The website includes info on topics such as Medicaid Buy-In programs, outreach and marketing, and youth in transition and also provides links to tools and a calendar of events. 

Links:

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Website

New Jersey DiscoverAbility Strategic Plan for Creating a Comprehensive Employment System for People with Disabilities (2008)

During the final year of the DiscoverAbility NJ project, New Jersey became an Employment First state and joined the national State Employment Leadership Network (SELN). Nonprofit community service providers assist people with disabilities with a wide range of needs, including finding employment, and comprise a large part of the workforce in New Jersey that assists people with disabilities in finding employment.

Links:

New Jersey DiscoverAbility Strategic Plan for Creating a Comprehensive Employment... (2008,PDF)

New Jersey Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Research Assistance to States (MIG-RATS) Center launched a website to provide resources and support to states implementing MIGs. The website is designed to help staff find research reports and resources, learn about MIG-RATS activities and initiatives, and connect with MIG researchers. The website includes info on topics such as Medicaid Buy-In programs, outreach and marketing, and youth in transition and also provides links to tools and a calendar of events.

Links:

New Jersey Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

Memorandum of Understanding between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Division of Developmental Disabilities for Supported Employment Services

"The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to assist the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to operate in an efficient and successful manner to ensure quality service provision. This, in turn, will help guide efforts toward improving employment outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities who are entering the workforce."

Links:

Memorandum of Understanding between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Commission for the Blind and Visuall

ODEP Disability Employment Initiative 2010

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development will build their DEI project upon earlier Work Incentive Grant and Disability Program Navigator grant activities. The approach utilizes Rehabilitation Services Administration Technical Assistance and Continuing Education training for One-Stop Career Center staff and the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to conduct outreach to employers and expand the availability of Technical Assistance Centers, as well as market discoverAbility events. Other strategic approaches include year round career exploration, career education and planning, self assessment, and work readiness skills training and apprenticeship opportunities through the Youth Transitions to Work program. Another key strategy will be focused on the development of self-employment opportunities, including working with the Business Leadership Network’s Disability Supplier Diversity Program to certify companies as disability owned and operated companies.
 

Links:

ODEP Disability Employment Initiative 2010

New Jersey SAMHSA Employment Development Initiative (EDI) – 2011

In 2011 New Jersey was awarded an EDI grant to continue working on the peer wellness coach idea, but from an employment standpoint.
 
In light of the health challenges facing individuals with SMI in a variety of positions (i.e., service participant, peer provider), the proposed project intended to: 1) have each Supported Employment (SE) program develop the capacity to deliver wellness coaching services in order to help remove the employment barrier of poor health management; 2) help each IMR provider organization develop the capacity to deliver wellness coaching services also with the goal of removing the barrier of health concerns in the pursuit of educational and employment goals; and 3) provide wellness coaching specifically to peer providers with health and wellness concerns
 

Links:

New Jersey Employment Development Initiative FY 2011-12 Overview

New Jersey DHS Employment First Statement

“People with disabilities are a multi-skilled workforce resource for employers. An inclusive workplace promotes diversity, expands the tax base and creates an expanded pool of qualified candidates for available jobs. ‘Employment First’ is about creating an environment for individuals with disabilities that empowers them with choices for their future, reduces poverty, shrinks enrollment in entitlement programs, eases demand on state and community based social service agencies and provides workers with a sense of achievement.”

Links:

New Jersey DHS Employment First Statement
PreviousNext
MTWTFSS
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031