Ombudsman’s Sixth Annual Report Captures Opportunities for Systemic Change
September 01, 2024
In July, the New Jersey Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families issued his 2023 Annual Report, summarizing the office’s activities, services, and key issues faced by the autism community.
The 2023 Annual Report highlighted the significant challenges confronting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New Jersey. It called for urgent action to address these challenges, reflecting the critical situations often faced by those seeking assistance.
Consistent with Autism New Jersey’s priorities, the Ombudsman cited inadequate capacity to serve individuals with severe challenging behavior and endorsed the adoption of Autism New Jersey’s policy recommendations. Combining these with his own, the Ombudsman’s key recommendations include:
- Universal Autism Screening: Implementing policies to promote universal autism screening to ensure broader and more effective early intervention
- Best Practices for Crisis Response: Developing and implementing best practices for responding to severe crisis situations
- Healthcare Access and Network Adequacy: Enhancing access to healthcare services and ensuring network adequacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Behavioral Program Models: Creating program models that better address the behavioral needs of this population
- Autism-Friendly Law Enforcement Practices: Encouraging law enforcement agencies to adopt practices that are more accommodating to individuals with autism.
Additional recommendations include:
- Strengthening safeguards against abuse and neglect in residential facilities
- Addressing the needs of individuals with complex medical conditions
- Improving access to suitable housing options
- Increasing oversight of transportation services
- Bridging the gap for youth transitioning to adulthood
The Ombudsman acknowledged the progress made within the system and – still seeing so many individuals and families in physical and emotional pain – urged a more systemic approach to addressing the identified challenges. To advance these efforts, Autism New Jersey remains committed to collaborating with the Ombudsman’s office to advocate for and support New Jerseyans with developmental disabilities and their families.