Family Support services are intended to help support families caring for individuals who are eligible for DDD-funded services. Families must exhaust any other services to which they are entitled before they can receive assistance through Family Support.
DDD evaluates requests for Family Support based on an individual’s need, the services and supports already available and/or being used, and the availability of DDD resources. Family Support is not an entitlement and cannot be guaranteed. Demand tends to outstrip resources.
Under the direction of the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, Regional Family Support Planning Councils, assist DDD in the allocation of funding for these services by making recommendations based on input they receive from families.
In order to receive Family Support, individuals must be eligible to receive DDD-funded services and either living with uncompensated caregivers or living independently.
The following services are generally offered in all regions of the state. Individual regions may have different options. More information related to Family Support may be found by referencing the Family Support Act of 1993.
Respite
This is care that individuals receive when their parent, guardian or other immediate caregiver is temporarily absent or disabled. Family Support can provide both in-home and out-of-home respite.
In-home respite
generally limited to a maximum of 20 hours per month
- In most cases, DDD determines which contracted agency will provide service to the family; some options are:
- home care agencies (HHA/LPN/RN)
- DDD-trained private providers
- contracted provider agencies; i.e., the ARC’s
- In some cases, known as “cash option respites,” a family may hire its own respite worker with funding available from DDD
Out-of-home Respite includes:
- after-school activities for children
- after-program activities for adults
- evening activities
- weekend activities
- hotel stays for the individual
- a short-term group home placement
- a short-term stay in a community care residence, sometimes referred to as a “sponsor home”
Cash Subsidy
This is Family Support funding made available to families for use in purchasing necessary goods and/or services that are not available from any other source. Sometimes referred to as a “voucher,” “stipend” or “grant,” cash subsidies cannot be used to purchase food, clothing or shelter.
- The availability of cash subsidies is dependant on funding availability. In any event, families may receive a cash subsidy only once every 24 months.
Camp
This funding is available through Family Support, though the type and amount may vary by region of the state. It is important for families to understand, however, that before making a request for camp funding, they should ask the Department of Education for an extended school year for their child.
- Family support funds can be used for either day or overnight camp, although it cannot be used to pay camp registration fees. Requests should be made in April, May or June, prior to camp season.
Assistive Technology Devices
These are used to increase, maintain or improve an individual’s functional capabilities. They include, but are not limited to materials, services and strategies meant to improve quality of life by:
- Assisting with learning
- Making the environment more accessible
- Allowing the individual to compete in the workplace
- Enhancing independence
Unless an Assistive Technology Device is available from only one vendor, families seeking them must receive three competitive bids. In addition;
- The device must be prescribed by a physician or therapist
- The individual must have received a denial from his or her insurance carrier, including Medicaid
- Individuals may receive no more than $11,000 for Assistive Technology Devices over a three-year period
Home & Vehicle Modifications
These are removable, structural modifications such as ramps, grab-bars, etc.
- Individuals may receive no more than $11,000 for home and vehicle modifications over a three-year period
- They must be removable, such as ramps, grab-bars, etc., although an exception may be granted in cases where a modification affects an individual’s mobility, such as a roll-in shower or a garage conversion
- Families must receive three competitive bids
Tutoring
This is instruction or training in areas such as budgeting or transportation that is designed to help make an individual more independent.
Family-facilitated Networking
This assists families by providing for meeting time in support-group-type settings so they can brainstorm, discuss issues and create social networks.
