Government Agencies

The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, implements New Jersey’s statewide system of services for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Department of Health (DOH) is appointed by the Governor as the state lead agency for the Early Intervention System. The mission of the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) is to enhance the capacity of families to meet the developmental and health-related needs of children birth to age 3 who have delays or disabilities by providing quality services and support to families and their children.

Key Staff: Josephine Shenouda, DrPH, MS, Executive Director

Learn more about Early Intervention

50 East State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
Tel: 609.777.7734 (MAIN); 888.653.4463 (Referral Line)
Website: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml

In 2007, the New Jersey State Legislature and Governor Corzine enacted a law that requires the Department of Health to maintain a registry of individuals diagnosed with autism. New Jersey is one of a few states in the country that has a statewide registry of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The registry was created to better understand autism or ASD in New Jersey and to link families to available services and supports.

Licensed health care professionals should register any child whom they have diagnosed with autism, or follow (previously diagnosed with autism).  To register a child, complete the SCH-0 and SCH-1 forms.

If you are a family seeking more information, visit Autism Registry: Facts and Myths.

PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625
Tel:  1.800.367.6543 (toll free) or (609) 292-7837
Website: https://nj.gov/health/fhs/autism/public/registry/

DCF’s Children’s System of Care (CSOC) serves youth and their families utilizing integrated health services provided through a collaborative of primary care/behavioral health care management models and a delivery system of integrated care for co-occurring emotional/substance use/intellectual and developmental disabilities. This spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports is organized into a coordinated network and comprised of meaningful partnerships with families and youth so that children and youth can thrive at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.

Additionally, CSOC is responsible for determining eligibility for developmental disability services for all youth under age 18, and for providing the services for all youth under age 21. Eligibility determinations and requests for services are made through PerformCare. Watch this brief video for more information on DD eligibility.

Key Staff:  Mollie Greene, Assistant Commissioner

Phone: 609.888.7200
Email: csoc.director@dcf.nj.gov
Website:  https://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/csc/

PerformCare New Jersey is the Contracted System Administrator (CSA) for the State of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families, Children’s System of Care (CSOC). PerformCare is the single point of access to a wide array of behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disability services, as well as substance use treatment for youth and families throughout New Jersey.

As the CSA, PerformCare provides youths and their families with the services, resources, tools, and support they need to optimally participate in treatment within their homes, schools, and community settings. PerformCare provides the avenue for families to request clinically appropriate, needs-based services with a single phone call any time of the day or night.

PerformCare is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

300 Horizon Drive Suite 306
Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1919
Phone:  877.652.7624
Website:  https://performcarenj.org/

OSEP, within the Division of Student Services, has oversight responsibilities for the provision of education and related support services to students aged 3 to 21 with disabilities. The New Jersey special education offices are responsible for supervising and monitoring the implementation of the federal requirements of the individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) in local education agencies (LEAs) that include all school districts. The state special education offices provide leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and to establish standards that promote improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Learn more about your Educational Rights.

Key Staff: Kim Murray, Director

PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Policy and Procedure: phone: 609.376.9060
Professional Development: phone: 609.376.9084
Website: https://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/

The Division of Developmental Disabilities provides public funding for services and supports that assist New Jersey adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities age 21 and older to live as independently as possible. Services and supports are available in the community from independent providers, and in five state-run developmental centers.

DDD arranges and coordinates needed services to eligible New Jersey residents age 21 and up who have developmental disabilities. The Division also determines eligibility for Children’s System of Care (CSOC) family support services for individuals ages 18-21. DDD’s mission is to assist people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. DDD serves individuals who live at home with their families, as well as individuals who are in living arrangements funded and licensed by DDD. These arrangements are operated by either private agencies or individuals under contract with DDD. DDD also operates developmental centers statewide.

Among the services DDD provides are case management, guardianship, guidance to parents in becoming legal guardians of their adult children, family support, residential services, day programs, and supported employment services. Most of these services are provided through contracts with private organizations or individual contractors. DDD provides services to Medicaid-eligible individuals through the Supports Program and administers the Community Care Waiver (CCW) within Medicaid for the State of New Jersey. Click here to learn more about the supports and services DDD provides.

Key Staff:  Jonathan Seifried, Assistant Commissioner

222 S. Warren St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
Tel: 800.832.9173
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd

There are nine Community Service Offices serving the 21 counties throughout NJ.  Click here to find the location that serves your county.

Within the Department of Human Services, the Division of Disability Services (DDS) provides a single point of entry for those seeking disability-related information in New Jersey.

DDS works to streamline access to services and information that promote and enhance independent living for individuals with all disabilities by facilitating coordination and cooperation among local, county, and state government agencies.

DDS promotes maximum independence and the full participation of people with disabilities within all aspects of community life. DDS publishes New Jersey Resources, the most comprehensive guide of services available throughout New Jersey for people with disabilities. This directory is updated annually. Additionally, DDS Information and Referral specialists regularly attend public events throughout the state to disseminate information and answer questions.

The Division of Disability Services (DDS) focuses on serving people who have become disabled as adults, whether through illness or injury. Through its toll-free hotline — 1-888-285-3036 — DDS responds to as many as 15,000 requests each year for Information and Referral Assistance on issues affecting people with any type of disability in the State of New Jersey.  And, as one of its primary services, DDS publishes New Jersey Resources 2012, a comprehensive guide about services across New Jersey for people with disabilities. This directory is updated annually.

Key Staff: Peri Nearon, MPA, Executive Director

PO Box 705
Trenton, NJ 08625
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds

Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS)

The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) administers Medicaid’s state- and federally funded NJ FamilyCare programs for certain groups of low- to moderate-income adults and children. Through these programs, DMAHS serves approximately 1.7 million, or nearly 20 percent, of New Jersey’s residents. Its staff of over 500 works both in Trenton and in Medical Assistance Customer Centers (MACCs) throughout the state. The MACCs assist Medicaid clients in obtaining needed services and in answering questions regarding their benefit packages.

Health Insurance Programs administered by DMAHS
Medicaid provides health insurance to parents/caretakers and dependent children, pregnant women, and people who are aged, blind or disabled. These programs pay for hospital services, doctor visits, prescriptions, nursing home care and other healthcare needs, depending on what program a person is eligible for.

NJ FamilyCare is a health insurance program for uninsured children whose family income is too high for them to qualify for “traditional” New Jersey Medicaid but not high enough to be able to afford private health insurance. Some low-income uninsured parents/caretakers may also be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.

Most NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid clients are enrolled in managed care. With managed care, clients are enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization – HMO – that manages their healthcare.

Some New Jersey Medicaid clients, including those who reside in institutions and those who receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, continue to receive traditional “fee-for-service” Medicaid, where providers bill New Jersey Medicaid for their services.

Key Staff:  Gregory Woods, Assistant Commissioner

NJ Department of Human Services
Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
PO Box 712
Trenton, NJ 08625-0712
Tel: 800.356.1561
Website:  https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/home/

DVRS is responsible for training and placement of persons of employable age with disabilities. The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is here to help individuals with disabilities that are having trouble finding or holding a job because of their disability. If you have a disability that is preventing you from working, or that is endangering your present employment, you may wish to submit a referral for services.

Any individual with a physical, mental, cognitive, or other form of disability that has a substantial impediment to employment may qualify for the following services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), i.e. Career Counseling, Supported Employment Evaluations and Restorations, Financial Assessments and Planning, job accommodations/equipment and vehicle modifications, training opportunities, interpretation services, and small business funding.

Key Staff:  David Free, Acting Director

P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ  08625-0110
Tel: 609.292.5987
Fax: 609.292.8347
dvradmin@dol.state.nj.us

Website

Medicare is a health insurance program, administered by CMS, for people 65 years of age or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

800.MEDICARE (633.4227)

www.medicare.gov

Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance – helps pay for care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care.

Medicare Part B Medical Insurance – helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care, and certain other services not covered under Part A.

Prescription Drug Coverage – Most people will pay a monthly premium for this coverage. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is provided through private insurance companies. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium.

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Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the agency that governs both Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level.

Medicaid is a federal program that provides medical and health care to the aged, blind, and disabled. In addition, Medicaid pays for long-term care for many people, including adults with disabilities who receive residential services from the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). The NJ Medicaid program is administered by the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services and covers services for individuals who meet eligibility standards.

NJ Department of Human Services

Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
PO Box 712
Trenton, NJ 08625-0712
800.356.1561

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Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the agency that governs both Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level.

Social Security Administration

Services are delivered through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services.

General Assistance 800.772.1213

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes) and is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income and provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Unless income levels of families meet eligibility requirements, most individuals with autism living at home will not meet requirements for benefits until age 18, when family income is no longer considered for eligibility.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, funded by the federal government and the state of New Jersey, is mandated to be a leading change agent in the state, responsible for a vision of what the lives of people with developmental disabilities should be.

Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)
DRNJ is New Jersey’s designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. Protection and advocacy systems are enabled under federal law and are designated in each state and territory of the United States. More information on P&A systems is available at the website of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

The Elizabeth M. Boggs on Developmental Disabilities
The Boggs Center is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). The Boggs Center is part of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Pediatrics.