The New Jersey Department of Human Services works in partnership with families, consumers, advocacy groups, service providers and state and municipal officials throughout the state to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are protected and that they and their families have access to quality programs and services that meet their needs. Services include, but are not limited to, the provision of health care for people with special needs, community living, employment-related and day programs, community-based mental health and in-patient care for both children and adults with emotional and behavioral problems, and assistive technological devices for people who are blind or deaf. Services for people with disabilities are accessed through the following divisions, offices and programs:

The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund provides eligible families with financial assistance to help them cover medical expenses that were previously incurred because their child became catastrophically ill or injured. Covered expenses include, but are not limited to, special ambulatory care, acute or specialized in- or out-patient hospital care, medical equipment, medically-related home modifications, home health care and medical transportation.

The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired coordinates and provides preventive, rehabilitative and assistive services to people who are blind or visually impaired or at risk of becoming so. Services include, but are not limited to, eye health screenings and assessments for adults and children, educational and vocational rehabilitation, annual sleep-away camping for children who are blind or visually impaired, and referrals to other services, as required.

The Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the State’s central information and referral service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This division helps people obtain devices and services required to help them better communicate and participate in daily life, such as text telephones (TTYs) and sign language interpreters.

The Division of Developmental Disabilities coordinates and provides services for people with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and traumatic brain injuries. Services include counseling, respite care for family members, and referral services to other community-based resources needed. This Division also operates seven developmental centers, where people with developmental disabilities receive round-the-clock care and it licenses privately operated group homes, supervised apartments, supported living programs and skill development and family care homes in communities throughout the State.

The Division of Disability Services provides information and referral services to people with disabilities and their families, who are seeking help locating appropriate resources in their communities. The Division also is responsible for overseeing various Medicaid home-and community-based waiver programs that are designed to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible.

Health Care for People with Disabilities is provided by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, through its New Jersey Care 2000+ program. The program helps to enroll Medicaid-eligible aged, blind or disabled residents in Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) through which their medical care can be coordinated and managed. Referral and information also can be obtained by calling the Division of Disability Services at 1-888-285-3036.

The Division of Mental Health Services coordinates and provides community-based supports, like counseling, emergency screening, case management and residential and day program services and, if necessary, in-patient care for people with mental illness. Regarding the latter, this division operates six psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey.

Good Neighbors, Community Living for People with Disabilities, is the Department’s public education program to increase public awareness about people with disabilities and the kinds of community living arrangements in which they reside. As part of this effort, DHS representatives reach out to municipal officials, private organizations and New Jersey residents to provide information and to answer their questions, in hopes to achieve broader public acceptance and accommodations for people with disabilities.

The Office of Education serves children who have entered the social services system, due to abuse or neglect and those with educational disabilities, pregnant and parenting teens, and others who require intensive, special educational or social skills training. This division operates 18 regional schools and oversees the New Jersey Youth Corps Program, which helps troubled youth acquire and develop social skills by getting them involved in community and volunteer programs.