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2024

May 15, 2024 May Information Sessions on DDD Self-Directed Employee Models

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) offers two Self-Directed Employee (SDE) models that individuals interested in self-directing some or all of their services can choose: the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent Model administered by Public Partnerships, LLC, and the Agency with Choice Model administered by Easterseals NJ. We are happy to once again share the following virtual opportunities to learn about these two models. 

Public Partnerships Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Model Information Session

Easterseals NJ Agency with Choice (AwC) Model Information Session

To learn more about self-directed services and the two models available through DDD, visit our Self-Directed Services webpage.

April 29, 2024 NCI State of the Workforce Survey

The National Core Indicators® State of the Workforce Survey is open through June 30, 2024 and participation by as many eligible providers as possible is critical to ensure valid results. Email invitations were sent to eligible DDD providers – to the provider email address on file in iRecord – on March 5, with follow-up invitations sent on April 26.

If your agency has not received an invitation to participate, please contact DDD.NCI@dhs.nj.gov as soon as possible.

The data collected through this annual survey helps us examine and respond to challenges in New Jersey’s Direct Support Professional workforce serving adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. To learn more, visit National Core Indicators® or see our NCI State of the Workforce Overview.

April 29, 2024 New May 10 Webinar on NJ SNAP And DFD Programs

On Friday, May 10, 2024, the DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services is collaborating with the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development (DFD) to host a webinar about programs available through DFD, including NJ SNAP and WorkFirst NJ. While the information is geared toward individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families, all are welcome to attend.

April 23, 2024 Policy Manual Updates

The Division of Developmental Disabilities has updated the policy and procedure manuals for our Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, the Community Care Program and Supports Program. You will find a summary of changes on page two of each manual, and a detailed overview will be provided at the next DDD Update Webinar on April 25 (Register Now).

The April 2024 release includes a new policy section that may affect a small number of individuals ages 18 through 21. Please review and share DDD’s Information Bulletin on Limited Circumstances Where a Person Ages 18 through 21 May Receive Division Services.

April 3, 2024 DHS Public Notice of Rule Adoptions

A Notice of Readoption with Amendments of N.J.A.C. 10:46D, Contribution to Care and Maintenance Requirements, and an Administrative Change to N.J.A.C. 10:46D-3.2 were published on the New Jersey Department of Human Services Rule Adoptions page on April 1, 2024.

April 1, 2024 DHS OPIA Bulletin - Resume Normal Employee Onboarding

With an increased availability of fingerprinting appointments, the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Program Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) will be returning to normal onboarding requirements for direct support professionals and self-directed employees effective April 15, 2024. OPIA will continue the temporary clearance process until then.

Effective April 15, 2024, new hires must complete onboarding requirements prior to employment, and OPIA’s Employment Controls and Compliance Unit (ECCU) will no longer process emergency requests for hire. For employees who have already begun employment based on emergency approval prior to April 15, 2024, employers have until June 15, 2024 to complete criminal background checks via fingerprinting.

Please review the April 1 DHS Information Bulletin, Updated Employee Onboarding Requirements.

March 28, 2024 Family Networking Sessions Spring 2024 Schedule is Here!

The DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services hosts networking sessions for people and families who are, or are interested in, self-directing some or all their DDD-funded services.

The first spring session is in-person on Wednesday, April 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bergen Community College. Advance registration is required and location details are available when you register.

Register Now for April 3 Bergen County Family Networking Session

See the full schedule and register for upcoming sessions (April through June): Family Networking Sessions Spring 2024

March 18, 2024 Updated Division Circular on Medicaid Fruad, Waste, and Abuse

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is required by federal law to establish written policy about the prevention, detection, and reporting of Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse, which must include detailed information about the federal and state laws that govern it. An updated Division Circular 54 (DC54), Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Section 6032, Policy on Fraud, Waste and Abuse, replaces the previous DC54 issued in November 2008 and is available on the Division Circulars page of the DDD website.

The updates to DC54 reflect legal and other changes since November 2008, and are summarized below:

  • The addition of the New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, which became effective in 2021.
  • Updates to reflect the transition of the Medicaid Fraud Division to the Office of the State Comptroller.
  • Updates to criminal and administrative penalties within the various laws summarized in the circular.
  • Updates to websites for reporting suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.
  • Updates to reflect the transition from the Community Care Waiver to the Community Care Program, and the addition of the Supports Program.
  • Various edits for grammar and simplicity.
March 13, 2024 Join Us for the Next Peer-to-Peer Networking Session, Coming in April!

Hosted by the DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services, Peer-to-Peer Networking Sessions are an opportunity for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) who are self-directing some or all their DDD-funded services to meet their peers, share resources, and discuss their experiences with self-direction.

Adults with IDD who are self-directing or are interested in learning more about self-direction are welcome to attend. Be sure to register in advance!

Tuesday, April 16, 2024
6 – 7:30 p.m. on Zoom
Register for April 16 Peer-to-Peer Networking Session

Download/Share the Flyer

Feb. 28, 2024 UPDATE! START Services RFP

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has rescinded the Request for Proposals (RFP) originally released on January 31, 2024, titled START Services NJ: Development of Mobile Crisis Prevention and Response Program(s) to Serve People with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs Based on the National START Model.

A replacement RFP was released on February 28, 2024, titled START Services NJ: Development of a Mobile Crisis Prevention and Intervention Program to Serve People with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Co-occurring Mental Health Needs in Southern New Jersey Based on the National START Model.

The successful bidder will partner with the National Center for START Services™ to develop one mobile crisis prevention and intervention program, consisting of a clinical team and therapeutic coaching team, to serve adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs who live in the southern region of New Jersey (as defined in the RFP).

The Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals: START Services NJ are posted on the DHS Request for Proposals/Information webpage. The deadline to submit questions is March 13, 2024 and the deadline for proposal submissions is April 17, 2024.

Feb. 22, 2024 National Core Indicators (NCI) Surveys - We need your input!

Annual NCI State of the Workforce Survey
In March 2024, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will email an NCI State of the Workforce Survey invitation to eligible provider agencies who employ Direct Support Professionals. The invitation will be sent to the provider email address on file in iRecord and will include a link and instructions to complete the NCI State of the Workforce Survey for 2023.

The NCI State of the Workforce Survey will be open through June 30, 2024, and participation by as many eligible providers as possible is critical to ensure valid results. To learn more, visit National Core Indicators or see our NCI State of the Workforce Overview.

Annual NCI In-Person Survey
DDD is continuing to conduct the NCI In-Person Survey for individuals 21 and older who are receiving at least one DDD-funded service in addition to Support Coordination. The 2023-2024 In-Person Survey will be administered through June 30, 2024. To learn more, please see our NCI Survey Overview.

Questions about the NCI State of the Workforce Survey or In-Person Surveys? Email us at DDD.NCI@dhs.nj.gov.

Feb. 22, 2024 REMINDER! DDD Resource Team Offering Choking Prevention Awareness Activities Throughout March

March 28th is National Choking Awareness Day, making March a great time to put a spotlight on choking risks and prevention. The DDD Resource Team has dedicated March 2024 to raising awareness about the risk of choking for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and best practices for preventing choking.

In-person workshops are being held for provider agency staff and self-directed employees at various DDD Community Services office locations on March 6, 13, 20, and 27. And virtual trainings, open to anyone, are available throughout the month. To see a full schedule of events and to register, please visit our Health and Safety webpage.

Feb. 12, 2024 Family Networking Session Canceled, will be Rescheduled

Due to tomorrow’s weather forecast, the Family Networking Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 13 at the Burlington County Library has been canceled and tentatively rescheduled to Wednesday, February 28. Everyone registered for the Feb. 13 session will be automatically registered for the new date and receive an updated registration confirmation.

Revised information will be posted on the Office of Education on Self-Directed Services webpage, and questions may be sent to DDD.OESDS@DHS.NJ.GOV.

Feb. 12, 2024 DDD Resource Team Dedicates Month of March to Choking Awareness

March 28th is National Choking Awareness Day, making next month a great time to put a spotlight on choking risks and prevention. The DDD Resource Team has dedicated March 2024 to raising awareness about the risk of choking for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), regardless of diet texture or consistency. In-person trainings will be held for provider staff and self-directed employees at various DDD Community Services office locations on March 6, 13, 20, and 27. And virtual trainings, open to anyone, will be held throughout the month. Please visit our Health and Safety webpage or download the 2024 Choking Awareness Month Flyer for more information and to register (advance registration is required).

Feb. 12, 2024 February Information Sessions on DDD Self-Directed Employee Models

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) offers two Self-Directed Employee (SDE) models that individuals interested in self-directing some or all of their services can choose: the Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent Model administered by Public Partnerships, LLC, and the Agency with Choice Model administered by Easterseals NJ. We are happy to once again share the following virtual opportunities to learn more about these two models. 

Public Partnerships Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Model Information Session

Easterseals NJ Agency with Choice (AwC) Model Information Session

To learn more about self-directed services and the two models available through DDD, visit our Self-Directed Services webpage.

Feb. 7, 2024: DDD Issues RFP for the Development of Homes to Support People with IDD Transitioning From Nursing Facilities

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the release of a new Request for Proposal (RFP), To Support the Development of Homes for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Transitioning from Nursing Facilities and Other Qualified Institutions.

Successful bidders will develop new residential opportunities to support people to move from nursing facilities into community-based residential homes. Funds provided will be used to develop new sites or enhance existing sites to provide accessibility and other modifications that are needed to facilitate appropriate supports for a person who is moving from a nursing facility or other qualified institution.  

The Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposal are posted on the DHS Grants, RFPs, Public Notices webpage. The deadline to submit questions is February 22, 2024, and the deadline for proposal submissions is May 1, 2024.

Feb. 1, 2024: DD Issues RFP for Development of Two Regional START Model Mobile Crisis Prevention and Response Teams

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the release of a new Request for Proposals (RFP), START Services NJ: Development of Mobile Crisis Prevention and Response Programs to Serve People with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability and Co-occurring Mental Health Needs Based on the National START Model.

Successful bidders will partner with the National Center for START Services™ to develop up to two programs consisting of a clinical team and therapeutic coaching team – with one program serving the southern region and the other serving the northern region of New Jersey. 

The Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals: START Services NJ are posted on the DHS Grants, RFPs, Public Notices webpage. The deadline to submit questions is February 14, 2024, and the deadline for proposal submissions is March 20, 2024.

Jan. 30, 2024: Revised Behavior Management Committee (BMC) Referral Form and New BMC Helpdesk

The Division of Developmental Disabilities Office of Risk Management recently updated its Behavior Management Committee Referral Form and has developed an accompanying Behavior Management Committee FAQ. A dedicated Behavior Management Committee Helpdesk has also been established, where referral forms and other information can be submitted. Effective immediately, all BMC referrals as well as BMC related information and questions can be emailed to DDD.BMC@dhs.nj.gov.

The updated form is available in the Provider Toolkit section of the DDD Provider Information webpage. A webinar training about the BMC and use of the referral form is in development and expected to be available soon.

Jan. 26, 2024: Webinar on Addressing Enhanced Needs Form

This webinar overview of best practices for using and implementing the Addressing Enhanced Needs Form is a collaborative effort of DDD’s Support Coordination Unit and
Provider Performance and Monitoring Clinical Services Unit. The target audience is support coordination and provider agency staff, but anyone may register to attend.

Title: Support Coordination Agency and Provider Partnerships: Using the Addressing Enhanced Needs Form in Plan Development

Day: Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Register now for Jan. 29 Addressing Enhanced Needs Form Webinar

Jan. 26, 2024: Upcoming Networking Opportunities for Individuals and Families Self-Directing Their Services

The DDD Office of Education on Self-Directed Services (OESDS) is hosting the following networking events for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and families who are or are interested in self-directing some or all their DDD-funded services.

In-Person Self-Direction Family Networking Sessions
Advance registration is required, and online registration is now available!

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 12 to 2 pm at the NJ DDD Freehold Office: Register for March 12 Session