in Adult Services and Residential Placements for Individuals with Disabilities
The attorneys of Javerbaum Wurgaft’s Disabilities Law Group have extensive experience advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families for appropriate services from state agencies including the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) as well as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). After a disabled individual’s education entitlement has ended, DDD as well as DVR, are the agencies that may provide services for disabled adults. However, advocacy is often necessary to ensure appropriate adult services without disruption. In addition, in certain circumstances, disabled adults and children may be eligible to obtain residential services through DDD and other state agencies.
NJ DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DDD) ELIGIBILITY
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides funding for services and supports which assist people with developmental disabilities such as Autism. DDD services can include case management, residential services, adult day programs, vocational supports, family supports and professional support services.
New Jersey State Law (N.J.A.C. 10:46-1.3) defines a “developmental disability” as a severe, chronic disability which:
- Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments;
- Manifests before age 22;
- Is likely to continue indefinitely;
- Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity, that is;
- Self care,
- Receptive and expressive language;
- Learning;
- Mobility;
- Self-direction; and/or
- Capacity for independent living or economic self sufficiency; and
- Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of life-long or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; and
- Developmental disability includes but is not limited to severe disabilities attributable to mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida, and other neurological impairments where the above criteria are met.
DDD determines who is eligible to receive services through an application process. In order to be found eligible for services by DDD an individual must manifest substantial functional limitations in at least three of the life activities outlined above in section “4” by the age of twenty-two. If DDD finds a person ineligible there is an appeal process to challenge the determination. The individual can also re-apply, at any time thereafter, if he/she has new information for DDD to consider.
DDD Office Contact Information:
Flanders Office
Counties Served: Morris - Sussex - Warren
1-B Laurel Drive
Flanders, NJ 07836
Phone: (973) 927-2600
Paterson Office
Counties Served: Bergen - Hudson - Passaic
100 Hamilton Plaza, 7th Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 977-4004
Newark Office
County Served: Essex
153 Halsey St., 2nd Flr
P.O. Box 47013
Newark, NJ 07101
Phone: (973) 693-5080
Plainfield Office
Counties Served: Union - Somerset, Intake Cases ONLY
110 East 5th Street
Plainfield, New Jersey 07060
Phone: (908) 226-7800
Somerset Office
County Served: Somerset, Case Management ONLY
275 Greenbrook Road, 2nd Floor
Green Brook, NJ 08812
Phone: (732) 424-3301
Freehold Office
Counties Served: Ocean - Monmouth
Juniper Plaza, Suite 1 - 11
3499 Route 9 North
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 863-4500
Trenton Office
Counties Served: Hunterdon - Mercer - Middlesex
11 A Quakerbridge Plaza
Hamilton, NJ 08619
Phone: (609) 588-2727
Mays Landing Office
Counties Served: Atlantic - Cape May - Cumberland - Salem
5218 Atlantic Avenue
Suite 205
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Phone: (609) 476-5200
Voorhees Office
Counties Served: Burlington - Camden - Gloucester
2 Echelon Plaza
221 Laurel Rd, Suite 210
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Phone: (856) 770-5900
Other Resources:
DVRS CENTRAL OFFICE
LWD Building, 10th Floor
John Fitch Plaza
P.O. BOX 398
Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
BRIAN FITZGIBBONS, Director
609-292-5987
609-292-2919 (TTY)
dvradmin@dol.state.nj.us
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