Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Office of Prevention (OOP) was created in 2023 by merging the Field Safety and Services Unit (FSSU) with the Research and Prevention Unit. The office proactively identifies and addresses risks related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals served through DHS-licensed residential settings.
OOP complements—but does not replace—licensing inspections and other monitoring activities. Its work focuses on prevention and early identification of safety concerns.
FSSU Required Unannounced Visits
FSSU conducts at least two unannounced visits per year to every DHS-licensed residential site. The purpose is to:
- Identify risks or vulnerabilities
- Observe service delivery and interactions
- Provide feedback to agencies before issues escalate
These visits are conducted separately from the Office of Licensing and are focused on real-time, person-centered observations and environmental safety.
Pre-Visit Assessments
Each visit is informed by a thorough pre-visit review, which includes:
1. Program-Level Review:
- All critical incidents involving site residents in the past year
- Licensing inspection reports
- Past FSSU visit findings
2. Individual-Level Review:
- ISPs, PCPTs, support coordinator notes, medical/behavioral records
- Risk indicators across multiple domains: health, supervision, behavior, communication, sensory/motor needs, finances, and adaptive equipment
Key Takeaways for Providers
- Unannounced visits are legally required and focus on early prevention.
- Feedback is intended to help providers improve — not penalize.
- The SAFE-T system (a web-based application where data from the unannounced visits is stored) ensures standardized assessments across all sites.
- Follow-up is expected and tracked for accountability.
FSSU analysts complete:
- Program-Wide Assessments (e.g., cleanliness, food supply, staff training, equipment)
- Individual Assessments (e.g., health care, supervision, emotional presentation)
Two domains are reviewed at the program level, including:
- Physical plant
- Staff
Nine domains are reviewed at the individual level, including:
- Access to approved or restricted items
- Behavior and staff response alignment with behavior plans
- Dietary/Nutrition: alignment of meals with dietary needs
- Documentation: accuracy and consistency with plans
- Equipment/Devices: availability and condition of prescribed assistive and adaptive equipment
- Financial: access to funds, shopping, personal items
- Health/Medical Monitoring: timely follow-up and adherence to regimens
- Individual Presentation: physical/emotional wellness and sensory supports
- Supervision: match of staffing with support needs and schedules
FSSU uses a standardized three-level rating system:
- Level 1 – No Concern: No issues identified
- Level 2 – Moderate Concern: Requires monitoring; no formal response required, but provider is notified
- Level 3 – Serious Concern: Immediate follow-up required; may involve incident reporting or escalation to Licensing
- All visit summaries are emailed to providers.
- Providers must respond to follow-up requests within one week.
- Serious concerns are addressed immediately by phone or email.
- Lack of response may result in escalation to the Office of Licensing.
- Repeat concerns are monitored during future visits.
Office of Research and Prevention
The Office of Research and Prevention uses data and research to identify opportunities to improve systems and support high-quality, person-centered care across the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Data-Driven Insights
Our work is informed by data from:
- The Office of Program Integrity and Accountability (OPIA)
- Other DHS divisions
- Reputable external research sources
By analyzing this information, the Office proactively identifies and promotes strategies to prevent or mitigate abuse, neglect, and other adverse events.
Systemic Reviews and Recommendations
The Research and Prevention team conducts comprehensive reviews to uncover emerging issues and patterns within the service delivery system. These reviews result in targeted recommendations provided to relevant agencies and partners to help improve the quality of care.
The office also develops educational newsletters that offer practical resources focused on reducing risk and promoting safety. Current topics include best practices for recruiting and interviewing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), preventing exploitation, conducting investigations and maintaining fire safety.
You can view the most recent newsletters here.
