The Office of Prevention (OOP) helps protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in community-based homes licensed by the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS). It was formed in 2023 by combining two previous teams: the Field Safety and Services Unit (FSSU) and the Research and Prevention Unit.

OOP aims to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation before it happens—by identifying risks, making required unannounced site visits per the Stephen Komninos’ Law, and working with provider agencies to improve safety and quality of care.

FSSU staff conduct unannounced visits to every DHS-licensed home at least twice each year. These visits are not inspections for licensing, but rather proactive reviews of how individuals are doing and whether any safety concerns exist.

Visits focus on:

• Any indication of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
• Cleanliness and safety of the home
• Staff interactions and support
• Medication and medical equipment use
• Medical care and follow-up
• Adherence to Service Plan
• Food supply and diets
• Overall well-being of individuals

FSSU carefully reviews information before arriving:

• Program Review: Looks at past critical incidents, licensing reports, and past FSSU findings.
• Individual Review: Looks at the Individual Service Plan (ISP), health records, support coordinator notes, and behavior plans to understand the person's unique needs.

FSSU staff walk through the home, observe conditions, and speak with residents and staff. They assess how each person is being supported and look at specific areas such as:

• Health and medical monitoring
• Diet and nutrition
• Behavior support and staff responses
• Access to personal belongings and financial supports
• Emotional and physical well-being
• Supervision and safety

Concerns are rated on a scale from 1 (No Concern) to 3 (Serious Concern). Providers are notified if anything needs attention.

• Providers receive a written summary of the findings.
• If concerns are serious, follow-up may happen right away via phone or email.
• When warranted, an Incident Report is submitted to ensure proper follow-up is conducted.
• Providers must respond within one week if follow-up is required.
• Repeat issues may be shared with the Office of Licensing for further action.

The Office of Prevention leverages data from the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), other divisions within the Department of Human Services (DHS), and reputable external research sources to inform recommendations that support systemic improvements. When possible, the office proactively identifies and promotes strategies to prevent or mitigate abuse, neglect, and other adverse events.

Through comprehensive reviews, the Research and Prevention team identifies emerging concerns and patterns. Based on these findings, they provide targeted recommendations to relevant entities to support enhanced quality of care.

The office also develops educational newsletters that offer practical resources focused on reducing risk and promoting safety. Topics include best practices for recruiting and interviewing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), preventing exploitation and more.

You can view the most recent newsletters here.