Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

About Our Office

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The Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families was established by the State Legislature in December 2017 to serve individuals and their families – to help make sure that they get the services and supports they need and deserve.

Signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in January 2018, the Office was made operational when Governor Phil Murphy appointed the first Ombudsman a few months later.

The legislation creating the Office outlines specific responsibilities, which can be grouped into 3 categories:

Assisting individuals and families to navigate New Jersey’s system of care to get the services and supports they need and deserve;
Working with individuals and families to identify opportunities for improving the system; and
Helping 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.

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