Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell
Divisions & Offices

Developmental Disability Family Support services are intended to help support uncompensated caregivers for individuals who are eligible for developmental disability services and living in their own homes. Under the direction of the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council, Regional Family Support Planning Councils assist the Children’s System of Care (CSOC) in the allocation of funding for these services by making recommendations based on input they receive from families.

CSOC 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 CSOC resources. Family Support is not an entitlement and cannot be guaranteed.  Budget allocations dictate the availability of services.  Families must exhaust any other services to which they are entitled before they can receive assistance through Family Support.  

The following services generally are offered in throughout New Jersey.  Individual regions may have different options. More information related to Family Support may be found by referencing the Family Support Act of 1993.

Respite

Respite provides family caregivers with a short period of rest or relief by arranging alternate caregiving for the family member with a developmental disability. Respite also can be provided when the family caregiver is temporarily absent or disabled for any reason, such as for a short period of hospitalization. Respite usually is provided by an agency that contracts with CSOC to provide this service, such as a home health agency. 

Respite includes:

  • After-school activities
  • Weekend recreational activities
  • A short-term placement in a licensed setting
  • In-home respite
  • Self-directed respite

Camp

Some assistance with camps may be available through Family Support.

Before requesting funding for camp, a family should always ask the Department of Education for an extended school year for their child.

Applications for camp assistance can be found at the PerformCare website. Applications are accepted between March 15th and April 30th each year.

Assistive Technology Devices

These are used to increase, maintain or improve an individual’s functional capabilities. They include materials and services meant to improve quality of life by:

  • Making the environment more accessible
  • Allowing the individual to compete in the workplace(excluding items covered by vocational rehabilitation services)
  • Enhancing independence

Unless an Assistive Technology Device is available from only one vendor, families seeking them must obtain three competitive bids. In addition; 

  • The device must be prescribed by a physician or therapist
  • Individuals may receive no more than $15,000 for Assistive Technology Devices over a three-year period 

  • Simplified Technology - Linda Burkhart’s website on technology integration for various ages and needs.
  • Abledata - Web site with a searchable database of 19,000 assistive technology products.
  • Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers - Funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, this project supports a technical assistance system for the purpose of developing, assisting and coordinating Parent Training and Information Projects and Community Parent Resource Centers under the Individuals with Disabilities Edcuation Act.
  • The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) - Provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms. The site includes information on AT basics, tutorials of applications, decision-making, and other resources.
  • Family Guide to Assistive Technology - Prepared by Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK), in cooperation with The Federation for Children with Special Needs 1997 (a few years old but it has good descriptive information on AT with a glossary of AT terms).

  • Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) - US Department of Education Office dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
  • Council for Exceptional Children - Links with updated information on IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

  • LD Online - A leading Web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals.

  • Autism Resource - Information and links regarding the developmental disabilities autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Autism Society of America - A nationwide online directory of ASA Chapters, professionals, government resources, diagnostic centers, and service providers serving families affected by autism.

  • Early Connections - Provides resources and information on the appropriate and effective use of technology in early childhood education.

Onion Mountain Technology - Source for low-tech materials and information about low-tech assistive technology.

  • Applied Language - Free text and website translation
  • Foreign Word - Free text translation and online dictionary
  • Free Language - Free resources for foreign languages
  • Google Language Tools -  Translates an entire website to any of the following languages: German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean.
  • Prompt Online - Free text and website translation

Home and Vehicle Modifications

These are removable, structural modifications such as ramps, grab-bars, etc.

Individuals may receive no more than $15,000 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.

Related Links

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