Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Your Safety Matters: Understanding Incident Oversight at DHS
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of individuals receiving services. Our Office of Performance Management (OPM) works to ensure that any serious incident involving someone in care is properly reported, reviewed, and followed up through the Critical Incident Management Unit (CIMU) and the Incident Verification Unit (IVU).
The Critical Incident Management Unit provides oversight in all matters related to incident reporting and the tracking, response and follow up to reported incidents. CIMU provides oversight of and technical assistance to providers to ensure adherence to incident reporting requirements.
The Incident Verification Unit performs in-person verifications of reported incidents and allegations.
If an individual receiving DHS services is hurt, neglected, or otherwise placed at risk, that situation must be reported. This includes physical injuries, emotional abuse, or serious events that could affect safety. Once reported, the incident is reviewed by trained staff, and appropriate actions are taken to protect everyone involved.
How can I report suspected abuse or neglect?
If you suspect that your loved one has been abused, neglected, or exploited, you can report it 24/7:
- Adults with developmental disabilities:
Call the DDD Abuse Hotline at 1-800-832-9173 (press 1) - Children under 18:
Call 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873) or 911 if there is immediate danger.
Submit DMHAS incidents to:
- dmhas.incidentrept@dhs.nj.gov
- (609) 341-2324
- Substance Use Complaints: 1-877-712-1868
- Mental Health Complaints: 1-800-382-6717
You don’t need proof to make a report, and you may remain anonymous.
Please share as much detail as possible:
- What happened and when
- Where it occurred
- Who was involved (if known)
- Any other relevant details
- For certain injuries or allegations, a state staff member from the Incident Verification Unit (IVU) will visit in person within 48 hours to ensure the individual is safe and the incident is accurately reported. This is required by the Stephen Komninos’ Law and is not scheduled through the family or guardian. Your family member will not be interviewed or questioned about the incident.
- Incidents assigned to the CIMU are investigated by the provider agency and reviewed thoroughly by CIMU. A detailed list of allegations and events is outlined on the Incident Reporting Levels and Categories Grid.
- The investigation typically takes up to 30 business days to complete. After the investigation is completed, the provider agency then sends its report to DHS for review.
Improving safety requires continuous, collaborative efforts which must be led primarily by the providers. Incident reporting includes identifying errors, admitting mistakes, correcting unsafe conditions, and demonstrating improvements. This continuous process drives better outcomes and higher safety standards. Incident reporting establishes a learning environment where errors are seen as opportunities for growth, especially for lower-level incidents that do not cause harm. Providers are expected to conduct their own investigations/reviews of incidents so they can better understand risks, prevent future incidents, and cultivate a culture that continuously strives for excellence.
Yes. Providers are required to take immediate action to ensure the safety of individuals served. This may include:
- Temporarily removing staff involved in the incident
- Separating individuals involved in the incident
- Adding supervision
- Ensuring medical care is provided
If you witnessed the incident or have direct knowledge, you may be asked for a statement. Interviews focus on gathering accurate facts, not opinions.
Family members can request a copy of the investigation report directly from the agency.
Once DHS completes its review the provider agency must notify you of the outcome in writing. This includes whether the incident was substantiated, and what actions were taken to prevent it from happening again.
You can call DHS directly if you have questions or concerns about an incident or investigation by contacting the Critical Incident Management Unit (CIMU): Contact Us
Depending on the type of incident or allegation, a number of follow-up actions may be taken. Follow up actions are required for every incident whether the allegation is substantiated or not. Some examples of follow up actions are:
- Immediate actions: medical attention, temporary removal of staff, enhanced supervision
- Corrective actions: staff training, counseling, schedule changes
- Preventative actions: revised policies, increased oversight, team planning to reduce risks
