RELEASE :July 1, 2001

Previous Screen

TRENTON - The State Office of Disability Services (ODS) expanded significantly today as it became a full division and took on added responsibilities within the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

The new Division of Disability Services (DDS) will continue to be responsible for all ODS activities, including responding to as many as 5,000 inquiries and requests for information or assistance on disability-related issues each year. Many of these come in through the toll free information line (888-285-3036).

In addition, DDS will assume responsibility for seven programs that serve people living in the community with permanent or temporary disabilities and which previously have been administered through the state’s Medicaid program. As a result of this reorganization, the Division’s budget in fiscal ’02 will be $265 million, compared with the ODS budget in fiscal ’01 of $8 million.

"By locating these special programs and services within this new division, New Jersey is reaffirming its commitment to people with disabilities," said Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner James W. Smith, Jr. "It can be thought of as one-stop shopping for people with disabilities who are seeking information about a range of different services, including housing, jobs and transportation. DDS will also be doing work that underscores our philosophy of supporting opportunities for people with disabilities to live as independently as possible."

William Ditto, who headed ODS since its inception in 1997, has been named director of the new division.

"We feel this development is very exciting," said Ditto. "It will allow the state to do a much better job of serving people with disabilities who live in the community. It also proves how seriously we feel about the needs and concerns of people who have disabilities."

The main focus at DDD will be people who become disabled as adults, either through an accident or illness. However, its information and referral services are available to anyone with a question about any type of disability. When appropriate, callers might be referred to other divisions within DHS, including the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Division for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) or the Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS). Otherwise, DDS also provides information on other national, state, local, non-profit and private programs that serve people with disabilities and works closely with organizations and agencies such the state’s Independent Living Centers and the county offices of disability services.

DDS will also be responsible for a number of programs, including some that were administered by ODS and others that are being transferred from the state’s Medicaid program. Six of these are Medicaid home and community-based services waiver programs that assist people with disabilities, who otherwise might require institutionalization, to live independently in the community. The seventh is a Medicaid benefit available to any beneficiary who is temporarily disabled and needs assistance with daily activities.

Programs new to the division include:

The ABC Waiver. This program serves medically fragile children who are under the care and supervision of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). It provides full Medicaid benefits plus a number of special services, such as transportation and specialized medical equipment and supplies.

AIDS Community Care Alternatives Program (ACCAP). At any one time this program can serve a maximum of 1,000 people statewide, including those of any age with AIDS and children up to age 13 who are HIV positive. It provides full Medicaid benefits plus case management, private-duty nursing, medical day care, personal care assistant services, certain narcotic and drug abuse treatments at home and hospice care. Children receive additional benefits, including placement in a specialized group foster care home or reimbursement to their foster parents, through DYFS.

Model Waivers 1, 2 and 3. These three programs serve a maximum of 250 disabled Medicaid beneficiaries of all ages at any given time. They are designed to provide services in addition to full Medicaid benefits to people who otherwise would be unable to live in the community and would probably have to move into a nursing home or other institution. The 150 people covered under Model Waiver 3 also are eligible for private duty nursing.

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Waiver. This program serves people between 18 and 64 who have survived a traumatic brain injury. People in the program receive full Medicaid benefits plus additional services including case management, a structured day program, a personal care assistant, transportation, respite care and night supervision.

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Services. This is an optional benefit offered to New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries who are experiencing some functional impairment and need assistance with some aspects of daily living. Recipients must have a doctor’s order to receive this service, but they do not have to be permanently disabled. An estimated 15,000 people receive this service at any given time.

Programs that will continue to be administered by DDS:

Ticket to Work: This program, created last year through federal legislation, offers people with disabilities who are working, and whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid, the opportunity to pay a small premium and receive full NJ Medicaid coverage. This is crucial for many people with disabilities because Medicaid benefits are more comprehensive and better address the day-to-day needs of people with disabilities than benefits offered through most private health insurance plans. People with disabilities can qualify for the program with annual gross earned incomes as high as $42,950.

Personal Assistance Services Program. This program provides routine, non-medical assistance to people with disabilities who are employed, involved in community volunteer work or attending school. Personal assistants help with tasks such as light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, preparing meals, shopping, driving or using public transportation. The number of hours a person receives depends on individual need but can be as great as 40 hours per week.

Personal Preference. This research program, which is being done in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is studying the effects of allowing disabled Medicaid recipients who are eligible for Personal Care Assistant services the opportunity to direct their own care. The study will compare their experience to the traditional method of providing the same services through an agency. New Jersey is one of three states participating in this federally sponsored study. The results will help determine how personal care services are provided in the future.

Information and Referral. The Division will continue to main the toll-free information line, 888-285-3036, and answer questions on any issues affecting people with disabilities.

###