DiscoverAbility NJ is a living document that was built upon the state's longstanding efforts to improve the labor market participation of people with disabilities. At the same time it included contemporary thinking about what is needed to increase their work opportunities (for instance, better transportation services) and improve employment and economic outcomes.”
It's All About Work is a program developed by the New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living in conjunction with the NJ Division on Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) to help prepare transition students and adults for the world of work and inclusive community living.
This comprehensive program, is designed to meet the challenges faced by persons with disabilities whose goal is to obtain employment. ACI works with school districts in Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties to bring It's All About Work curriculum to its transition students (age 14 to 21).
Supported Employment Training and Technical Assistance
~~“The Boggs Center Employment Team provides Supported Employment Training and Technical Assistance throughout the state of New Jersey. Training courses are intended to provide both new and veteran employment specialists with the most up to date and proven best practices in supported employment. Furthermore, trainings can be modified or developed to meet the specific needs of agencies or general professional development. Technical Assistance is provided via consultation to support capacity building and systemic growth.”
"The Arc of New Jersey’s Project HIRE is a supported employment program designed to connect people with disabilities to integrated employment opportunities in their community. The program assists adults with disabilities in finding and maintaining competitive employment. The program also assists Middle and High School students in their preparation and transition to adult life with its School-to-Work program.
Project HIRE is funded by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVRS), the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), and Public School districts for its School-to-Work transition program."
New Jersey SB 4211: Establishment of county college-based adult centers for transition for individuals with developmental disabilities (2020)
Enacted. Version date: 01/18/2022
Establishes county college-based adult centers for transition for individuals with developmental disabilities
“2. a. The board of trustees of a county college shall establish a county college-based adult center for transition for individuals with developmental disabilities up to the age of 24 to experience a more successful transition from secondary school to postsecondary education, adult employment, and independent living opportunities and skills, as appropriate. The board shall appoint a person qualified by training and experience to direct and administer the adult center for transition.
It shall be the purpose of a county college-based adult center to:
(1) coordinate and integrate existing county- and State-based services, programs, and resources; and
(2) ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities up to the age of 24 have opportunities to receive mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and any other appropriate wrap-around services to help them make a successful transition into employment and independent living, as appropriate.”
New Jersey SB 525: Pre-apprenticeship programs (2022)
Enacted, version date 8/5/22
“Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.1993, c.268 (C.34:15E-6) is amended to read as follows:
C.34:15E-6 School-to-apprenticeship linkage program, establishment.
6. a. Each consortium which is awarded a grant from the partnership shall establish a pre-apprenticeship, or school-to-apprenticeship linkage program, for high school students, which shall include the development of the curriculum which will best prepare students to qualify for apprenticeships established under the grant, thus encouraging high school completion and increasing graduation rates…
(2) The workplace experience component of the student learner shall be regarded as a cooperative vocational experience subject to all applicable standards promulgated by the State Department of Education and the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development for cooperative vocational experiences, including requirements that work is under the direct supervision of a qualified person, and that the student learner be provided an individualized training plan outlining the tasks to be performed and the progression of learning experiences, and the safety instruction and occupational competencies to be learned; and
b. Each pre-apprenticeship, or school-to-apprenticeship, linkage program shall include counseling, recruitment, training in life skills, including communication, working in teams, and meeting employer expectations, training in needed basic math and literacy skills, including one-to-one tutoring, and supportive services, including child care for student learners who are parents and transportation assistance, and other services as are needed to maximize program participation by women, minority-group members, and individuals with disabilities, who are economically disadvantaged individuals, have barriers to employment, or both. The objectives of these services shall include increasing the success of women in nontraditional employment and encouraging greater academic achievement among at-risk and other students.”
New Jersey Section 1115 demonstration: NJ FamilyCare Projects
“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved innovative NJ FamilyCare projects designed to address priorities such as housing, integrating behavioral and physical health services, and new and creative approaches to providing care.
CMS signed off on the projects by approving NJ FamilyCare’s Comprehensive 1115 Demonstration renewal. The 1115 demonstration provides the state with federal authority to operate large parts of the NJ FamilyCare program. The approval is in effect from April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.”
“The Statewide Transition Plan outlines to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) how New Jersey will meet compliance with federal Home and Community Based Settings regulations by 2023. The Statewide Transition Plan sets forth the determination of New Jersey’s compliance with the regulation requirements for home and community-based settings and person-centered planning at 42 CFR §441.301, 42 CFR §441.710 and 42 CFR §441.530.”