Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT W. SINGER
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Diegnan
SYNOPSIS
Establishes one-year pilot program for certain persons with disabilities; appropriates up to $85,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on June 15, 2023, with amendments.
An Act establishing a one-year pilot program for certain persons with disabilities and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this act:
“Direct support professional” means an individual who provides direct, non-medical supportive assistance, on a daily basis, to a person who has an intellectual or a developmental disability, with the aim of helping the person to: (1) become better integrated into the community or the least restrictive environment; (2) more effectively understand, communicate, and advocate for, the person’s individual needs and desires; (3) identify and participate in positive employment, job coaching, and training opportunities; (4) make informed choices, and better understand the options and possible consequences of choices relating to physical health, safety, and emotional well-being; (5) address challenging behaviors through a person-centered approach; (6) successfully engage in the basic activities of daily living; (7) identify and participate in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle; and (8) otherwise lead a self-directed and autonomous life.
b. There is established a one-year pilot program for persons with disabilities in the Department of Human Services to address social and community inclusion needs for such individuals through recreational, social, vocational, and other community-based activities. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to:
(1) create a vocational program for individuals with disabilities;
(2) provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to learn recreational, social, and vocational skills;
(3) provide individuals with disabilities the ability to engage in recreational, social, and vocational activities in order to develop relationships within the community; and
(4) provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to explore their interests and build confidence in their abilities.
c. The pilot program shall:
(1) select one or more direct support professionals, who possess training tailored to the specific needs of 1program1 participants 1[in the program]1 , to assist these individuals with social, vocational, and recreational activities and skills;
(2) select 1at least1 three 1[or more] program1 participants 1[in the program]1 who are currently receiving services funded by the Department of Human Services and who:
(a) are diagnosed with an
intellectual or developmental disability and 1are1 between
the ages 21 and 30;
(b) do not exhibit aggressive or self-injurious behavior;
(c) are not diagnosed with both a mental illness and an intellectual or a developmental disability; and
(d) express interest in achieving personal, recreational, social, and vocational development;
(3) provide 1program1 participants a minimum of six hours of weekly recreational, social, and vocational development 1activities1 that shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(a) educational-based courses that expand 1program1 participants’ vocational skills;
(b) soft skill development in the form of workshops that teach communication, teamwork, problem solving, and ethics;
(c) pairing 1program1 participants with mentors who offer support and guidance to 1program1 participants throughout the pilot program;
(d) various recreational and social activities for 1program1 participants; and
(e) opportunities for 1program1 participants to volunteer in the community;
(4) collect data on a regular basis regarding 1[the] program participants’1 development 1[of the participants]1 ; and
(5) provide quarterly progress reports, and a final, year-end report to 1[participants’] the1 parents or guardians 1of program participants, if the parent is the program participant’s legal guardian or the program participant otherwise consents to release such information to the parent1 .
d. (1) The Commissioner of Human Services shall select an independent entity with expertise in evaluating vocational programs to evaluate the pilot program at the conclusion of the program. The evaluation shall assess the progress and satisfaction of the 1program1 participants and analyze the budget of the pilot program. The evaluation shall be submitted to the Governor and Legislature in conjunction with the report prepared by the Commissioner of Human Services as required pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) 1[The] No later than three months following the completion of the pilot program, the1 Commissioner of Human Services shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor, and 1[the Legislature]1 , pursuant to section 2 of 2 P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), 1to the Legislature,1 which 1report1 shall contain information necessary to assess the success and budgetary needs of the pilot program 1[no later than three months following the completion of the pilot program] Any information included in the report concerning program participants shall be de-identified1 .
2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act, but not to exceed $85,000, as shall be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services 1and subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury1 .
3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the submission of the Commissioner of Human Services’s report as required pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection d. of section 1 of this act.