State FY25 Budget Includes Investments in Autism and I/DD Community

On June 28th, 2024, Governor Murphy signed the $56.7 billion Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget into law. This year’s budget shows a continued dedication to the autism and I/DD community. Some of the highlights include:

Children’s System of Care

• $22 million to be used for a percentage basis rate increase for Medicaid-based fee-for-service and cost reimbursement contracts which include residential treatment, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and partial care treatment, in-community care and intensive in-home behavioral assistance, mobile response, and care management
• $7.3 million allocated for an increase to funding for respite care hours which align with legislation (S2491/A3412) the Governor signed that increases the number of respite care service hours funded from 60 to 90
• $1.25 million increase to Family Support Services, specifically aimed at reimbursement rates for day and overnight camp for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Department of Human Services

• $20.9 million to sustain Direct Support Professional rate increases that were implemented in FY24 through the remainder of the calendar year
• $7.5 million for the increase of the Division of Developmental Disabilities fee-for service rates (insert link to PDF for the underlined text)
• $5.25 million dedicated to the new mandatory training requirements for Direct Support Professionals
• Additional state and federal funds for Community Care Programs which will allow 400 people to move off the waitlist

Workforce Development

•  $2 million increase from $5 million to $7 million for the Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program which was previously requested from Autism New Jersey