Official Site of The State of New Jersey

A developmental disability is a chronic physical and/or intellectual disability that:

• Manifests before the age of 21;
• Is permanent
• Substantially limits an individual’s ability to complete activities in at least three of the following life activities:
  • Self-care
  • Learning
  • Mobility
  • Communication
  • Self-direction
  • Economic self-sufficiency
  • The ability to live independently, and
• Reflects the need for special care, treatment, or other lifelong or extended services.

Developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. This page provides information for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families about helpful resources, supports, and services. Services for individuals with IDD are primarily provided by:

• The NJ Children’s System of Care, which provides services for children with IDD through the age of 21, and 
• The Division of Developmental Disabilities, which provides services for individuals with IDD over the age of 21. 

Information about both divisions and the services they offer can be found below.

 

Get Help Now 

• For more information about supports and services for individuals with I/DD from birth to age 21, please contact the Children’s System of Care at 1-877-652-7624, or visit the PerformCare website. 
• For more information about supports and services for individuals with I/DD age 21 and older, please contact the Division of Developmental Disabilities at 1-609-633-1482, or visit the Division of Developmental Disabilities website. 

• Individuals with disabilities can open a savings account to pay for many daily, disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid. For more information, visit: NJ ABLE.

 

Services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from birth through age 21 are administered through the NJ Children’s System of Care (CSOC), through PerformCare.

Children under age 18 years or their guardians can submit applications directly to PerformCare online or by calling 1-877-652-7624.

Individuals ages 18 through 21 years can submit applications through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Services will be provided through PerformCare until age 21, at which time the eligible individual will transition to DDD.

 

Services Through PerformCare

The service system for children with I/DD is designed to help families meet the needs of children with I/DDs that are not being met through school-related services, medical services covered by health insurance, or by other existing supports or services. Services through this program are administered based upon level of care and the availability of funds.

• Family Support Services (FSS): Family Support Services provide caregiver relief through respite services, assistive technology, home and vehicle modifications, and assistance with summer camp during summer breaks from school.
• Connection with local Care Management Organizations (CMOs): CMOs are agencies that provide a full range of treatment and support services to children with the most complex needs. They work with child-family teams to develop individualized service plans. The CMO’s goals are to keep children in their homes, schools and
• Out of Home (OOH) services and supports: OOH provide out-of-home treatment for youth who are not able to safely be cared for at home. If a youth or young adult (under age 21 years) requires OOH Treatment, PerformCare will work with the family’s Care Management Organization (CMO) to identify the least restrictive type of treatment setting to best meet a child’s identified needs.

 

The Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

The Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families was established to help make sure that individuals and their families get the services and supports they need and deserve. This Office can:

• Assist individuals and families to navigate New Jersey’s system of care to get the services and supports they need and deserve,
• Work with individuals and families to identify opportunities for improving the system; and
• Help to ensure that the voice of individuals and families is heard in a meaningful way in decisions that directly affect them as well as in larger policy discussions.

Contact the Office of the Ombudsman here.

 

Services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 21 years and older are administered through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). DDD will screen individuals for eligibility for services, and help determine what services are needed from the available options.

The Application for Eligibility is also available on the DDD website,

 

Services Through DDD include:

• Assistive Technology
• Behavioral Supports
• Career Planning
• Cognitive Rehabilitation
• Community Based Supports
• Community Inclusion Services
• Community Transition Services
• Day Habilitation
• Environmental Modifications
• Goods & Services
• Individual Supports
• Interpreter Services
• Natural Supports Training
• Occupational Therapy
• Personal Emergency Response System
• Physical Therapy
• Prevocational Training
• Respite
• Speech, Language, and Hearing Therapy
• Support Coordination
• Supported Employment
• Supports Brokerage
• Transportation
• Vehicle Modification

 

Finding DDD Providers:

The Division of Developmental Disabilities hosts a Provider Search tool that allows people to search for different providers registered with NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey’s Medicaid program.

You may filter your search results by name, service, location, language, and setting or use a combination of searches and filters to browse provider options. Services you can search for include community based supports, respite care, transportation, and day habilitation, among many others.

Providers are responsible for updating DDD with their current information. We encourage you to contact providers directly for more details about whether they currently provide services in your area and if they are a suitable match for you or your family member.

 

The Boggs Center is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and New Jersey's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NJLEND) program.  The Center is part of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and emphasizes a community-based, lifespan approach to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.  The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development educates people and families through training and leadership development programs, disseminates information and educational materials, and conducts a wide array of community training and technical assistance activities.