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New Jersey

Task Force

The New Jersey Olmstead Stakeholders' Task Force, convened by the Governor's Office of Policy and Planning, is meeting with the goal of issuing an Olmstead plan in 2003. The draft plan has been submitted to the Office of the Governor for review. The task force anticipates the draft plan will be available for public comment in January 2003. The task force includes people who have themselves made the transition from institutions to the community and state agency, provider and advocacy representatives.

The Plan

The plan will set forth proposals to guide the state's action during the next five years. It will include regulatory recommendations, legislative recommendations, and new initiatives, many of which build on existing activities. Implementation of the plan will be subject to appropriations decisions to be made by the Legislature.

Many of the plan's recommendations are likely to build on actions already under way in New Jersey, including assessments of individuals in psychiatric and developmental facilities, bridge funding to support people as they move from institutions to the community, and community living programs developed through the Nursing Home Transition Grant.

Among key issues facing the group are 1) identifying ways to move beyond the group home model that is dominant in developmental disabilities services, and 2) setting forth strategies to prepare individuals and their families for community placement.

Implementation

No legislation was enacted during the 2002 legislative session related to Olmstead.

There are no current lawsuits related to Olmstead. Two complaints recently filed with the Office of Civil Rights are now being resolved.

The state of New Jersey received a $2 million Real Systems Change Grant in 2002. The grant will support the exploration of innovative housing ideas and an interactive housing Web site. Funds will also be used to develop a personal care assistant registry and rapid-response back-up system. Case managers will receive additional training on consumer-directed care, and quality measures will be developed.

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