Division of Developmental Disabilities Offers Day Services to New Graduates and People on the Waiting List
For Immediate Release:
August 6, 2008
For Information, Contact:
Pam Ronan, (609) 292-3703
TRENTON New Jersey Department of Human Services' (DHS) Commissioner Jennifer Velez announced today that the 2008 high school graduates, who are eligible for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) services, have received notification that funding has been made available in the Fiscal Year 2009 state budget to provide day services.Since 2004, each year approximately 200 young adults request DDD day services following graduation. The cost to provide these 200 graduates with day services is anticipated to be between $4 - $6 million annually, depending on the costs associated with meeting each person's needs for the year. These day services will be funded through the DDD operational budget.
“Offering day services to graduates is a priority in serving people with developmental disabilities,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez . “It is essential that young adults, who have been active during their school years, continue to have the opportunity to remain involved and engaged in employment or other activities during the day.”
DDD will also provide funds through its 2009 budget for people who are on the waiting list and also are in need of a day services. DHS Assistant Commissioner Kenneth Ritchey , who oversees DDD operations, called for a statewide review of people who graduated prior to the division's practice of offering graduates day services, which began in 2004. This review identified 135 people on the waiting list who also were in need of day services. There are 79 people who are now being matched with recent vacancies in day programs and 56 people for whom DDD is providing new day services. These new services will cost approximately $1.5 million during the 2009 fiscal year.
