New Jersey DHS DDD Interim Policy Guide to Support Coordination (2014)
“The purpose of the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (Division) Interim Policy Guide to Support Coordination is to provide clarity on practices governing the delivery of Support Coordination services during the transition period to full implementation of the Supports Program and a fee-for service system. These policies apply to all Support Coordination Agencies (and its personnel) currently working with “new presenters” and using the Individualized Service Plan (ISP). Some of these policies will change as ongoing Division-wide reform efforts are implemented in the coming months. The current standards will remain in place in the interim as established in this guide. Updates and revisions will be made as needed.”
New Jersey DHS DDD: Upcoming Changes to Policy on Funding of Sheltered Workshops (2013)
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has begun to phase-out funding for services provided in sheltered workshop settings (also referred to as “extended employment” or “sheltered employment”). As part of the first phase of this reform, the Supports Program, a new program in development at DDD that is expected to begin in FY2014, will not provide funding for services in these settings. Additionally, funding for these services will be phased-out of DDD’s Community Care Waiver (CCW) over the next twelve to eighteen months.
“The Division of Developmental Disabilities funds services for eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. The Division’s mission is to assure the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive quality services and supports, participate meaningfully in their communities, and exercise their right to make choices. This mission and the Division’s goals are founded within these core principles: …2. To promote and expand community-based supports and services to avoid institutional, segregated, and out-of-state services;…5. To support provider agencies in achieving core principles;…9. To promote collaboration and partnerships with individuals, families, providers, and all other stakeholders…”
Supportive Housing Assoc. of New Jersey (SHA) Community Housing with Support:
~~“The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA) is a statewide, nonprofit organization , founded in 1998, whose mission is to promote and maintain a strong supportive housing industry in New Jersey serving people with special needs. We do this by:
Providing resources and services to our membership of over 100 organizations which include nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, service providers, allied statewide advocacy organizations, corporate vendors and professional organizations, all dedicated to the supportive housing industry
Strengthening the capacity of member organizations to provide supportive housing services through information, training, and collaboration
Advocating for innovation and systems-change to provide more flexible funding and increased mainstream housing opportunities to allow people with disabilities to live as independently as possible
Educating policy makers, elected officials, people living with disabilities/families and the public on the use and benefits of the supportive housing model”
New Jersey was awarded $108.5 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to support the expansion of home and community-based services for New Jersey seniors and people with disabilities. The funds were received for the Balancing Incentive Payment Program (BIP), which is administered through the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The grant program is funded through September 30, 2015.
The BIP is an opportunity for states to receive increased Medicaid reimbursement for their provision of home and community based services to seniors and people with disabilities. In its Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver, New Jersey outlined plans to move long term services and supports to a managed care model. It is within the framework of the Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver that the Department will leverage the BIP funds to build the community-based infrastructure for Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS), and increase access to non-institutional services and supports.
The federal award reflects a two percent increase in reimbursement on the more than $5.5 billion the state is projected to spend on senior and disability services in the community during the grant award period.”
“Innovations in the Balancing Incentive Program: New Jersey”
~~“In an effort to learn more about how states are transforming their LTSS systems under the Balancing Incentive Program, CMS and its technical assistance provider, Mission Analytics, selected five Program states that implemented structural changes successfully and used Program funds innovatively to expand access to community LTSS. In the spring of 2016, Mission Analytics conducted site visits to these states, interviewing key state staff and stakeholders, and developed case studies based on findings.
This case study focuses on the launch of New Jersey’s MLTSS program, which was supported by the Balancing Incentive Program. New Jersey spent 70% of the enhanced FMAP earned through the Program on the expanded services offered under MLTSS. These funds were directed to new individuals receiving services, additional services provided to new and existing community LTSS users, and enhanced care management offered through Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Since the launch of MLTSS in July 2014, almost 6,000 more people have accessed community LTSS. In addition, MCOs offer expanded care management to their enrollees, connecting individuals to providers and coordinating acute and long-term care. The Balancing Incentive Program provided New Jersey with a crucial source of revenue, helping the state fund these expansions during MLTSS’ first two years.”
New Jersey DOL Acting Commissioner Delivers Senate Budget Testimony (2017)
“Employer Engagement
Second, for the past seven years, our department has worked closely with employers across the state to ensure that investments in education and training programs are aligned with the needs of the business community.
In 2011, we created Talent Networks around the seven key industry clusters that employ more than two-thirds of the workers in New Jersey and pay more than two-thirds of the annual wages. Talent Networks engage industry employers to pinpoint the relevant skills that jobseekers need to get jobs in those major industry clusters and link employers with the state’s educational institutions, employee training providers, state officials and jobseekers.
In October, we released our first-ever Industry-Valued Credentials List to help students and job seekers identify the skills and credentials most in-demand in New Jersey. Our labor market analysts worked closely with employers, educators and workforce development professionals to compile the list of 198 credentials and degrees. We have committed to using this list to direct occupational training dollars toward the most effective workforce and education programs. The list also serves as a consumer protection tool for individuals in search of high-quality occupational training, ensuring that the credential they are seeking is valid and recommended by knowledgeable employers, educators and workforce professionals.”
“Name of Grant Program: Career Pathways Initiative
Fiscal Year of Grant Program: 2017
Start Date and End Date of Grant Program: September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018
Purpose for Which Funds will be Used:
The purpose of the grant is to establish model demonstrations to expand or improve programs serving persons with the most significant disabilities who are currently in extended employment. Funding for this competitive grant is under the auspices of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), which will serve as administrator and fiscal agent for the funds awarded. In particular, the DVRS is interested in proposals that develop, implement, and build upon career pathway initiatives that will lead to community based competitive integrated employment opportunities within the seven Talent Networks. The term “career pathway programs” means a clear sequence of education coursework and training credentials and should lead to the attainment of an industry-recognized degree or credential, which may include stackable credentials of value in the labor market and that articulate progressively to higher-level credentials or degrees.
Entities that Can Apply for Funding Under This NGO:
Eligible applicants for this 12-month, competitively awarded grant must be agencies that provide Extended Employment Programs authorized and approved by the LWD. The organization must currently be using a center-based employment model and be interested in transitioning participants into competitive integrated employment.”
“Name of Grant Program: Pre-Employment Transition Services
Fiscal Year of Grant Program: 2017
Start Date and End Date of Grant Program: January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018
Purpose for Which Funds will be Used:
Entities that Can Apply for Funding Under This NGO:
Eligible applicants for this 12-month, competitively-awarded grant must be organizations with the capacity to serve people with disabilities. Applicants can be private or public non-profit or for profit organizations including faith-based organizations (FBO), such as non-profit organizations with a religious or faith-based association, community-based organizations (CBO), such as non-profit local, neighborhood or grass-roots entities, or Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRP), such as for profit or non-profit programs providing employment-related services to people with disabilities. Such organizations are generally familiar with community needs, appropriate service delivery and are often viewed by clients as comfortable venues for access to services.”
