1. Walking through the Division of Developmental Disabilities Application
The New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities
Walking through the Division of Developmental Disabilities Application
James Schiralli
Director, Intake & Intensive Case Management
Nkechi Ugoji, MSW, LSW
Senior Coordinator, Training, Policy, & Transition

2. DDD Overview Division of the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS)
Mission:
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) assures the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to:
receive quality services and supports
participate meaningfully in their communities
exercise their rights to make choices

3. Preparing to Enter Adulthood (including the DDD System)

4. Vision for Support Across the Life Course
Early Intervention
(Birth – Age 3)
Children’s Services
(through age 21)
Transition
Ages 16 – 21
Adult Services
(eligibility at 18)
(services at 21)
Aging Adults
Department of Health (DOH)
School System
Department of Education (DOE)
Department of Children and Families
(DCF)
DDD-Funded
Planning for Adult Life (PFAL) Project
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Generic Supports
DHS/DDD
Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)
When Do Individuals Come to DDD?

5. Age 18+ Support Coordination Selection Form
Supplemental Security Income
DDD Application
New Jersey Comprehensive Assessment Tool
(NJCAT)
Last Year of Educational Entitlement
21+
Support Coordination Selection Form
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Eligibility – Medicaid
DDD Intake/Eligibility Determination
Contact DDD Community Services Office or download application from the DDD website
Complete NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool (NJ CAT) – arranged through Intake Unit
Continue to receive services from the school system, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

6. Entering DDD Services Medicaid Eligibility
Apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) at age 18
SSI Approval = Automatic Medicaid Eligibility
If SSI-ineligible, apply for New Jersey Medicaid
DDD Intake Application process
Age 18 or older (DDD services not accessed until age 21)
Download DDD Intake Application from DDD website and/or contact Intake Unit of Community Services Office serving individual’s county of residence
DDD Eligibility
Documented lifelong disability that manifests prior to age 22
Functional criteria: substantially limited in 3 out 7 areas
Two Waiver System (Supports Program & CCW)
Maximize federal reimbursement
Serve more people
Expanded services
Individual must maintain Medicaid eligibility
Services tied to the individual & disability
Medicaid eligibility
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
NJ Care – Special Medicaid
NJ Workability
Federal reimbursement = $0.50 match from federal Medicaid for every $0.50 spent by the State
Positive reasons for moving to this system noted on the slide – goal is to serve more people and expand service options (with services such as therapies, career planning, prevoc, behavior supports)
Redeterminations - – important for families to comply with any Medicaid requests/notifications; Support Coordinator also monitors and can assist individuals/families with Medicaid eligibility issues; maintaining Medicaid eligibility is jointly the responsibility of the individual/family and the Support Coordinator/Case Manager
Medicaid/SSI eligibility and eligibility for DDD are two different things – can be eligible for one and not necessarily the other as we look at functional criteria and level of support needed, not finances
DDD can fund disability-specific services only – this can be a big transition for individuals/families who may have been used to the “one stop shop” model in the school system versus the eligibility model in the adult DD service system
Workability – higher income from employment and can still maintain Medicaid through buy-in program; NJ has one of the best programs in this regard and it is under-utilized; only need to work 1 hour or more per week in competitive employment (this is an option for those who are worried about losing Medicaid supports if increase salary)
Please note that Medicaid eligibility does not = DDD eligibility

7. NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool
NJ CAT Assessment
Mandatory assessment tool that evaluates support needs in three main areas: (1) self-care, (2) behavioral, (3) medical
Completed online or over the phone
Establishes an individual’s tier
Tier determines the individualized budget
Tier determines reimbursement rate for some services
Re-assessment done every five years, more often if needed

8. DDD Application Process

9. Community Service Office
Flanders: (973)
Paterson: (973)
Newark: (973)
Plainfield: (908)
Freehold: (732)
Trenton: (609)
Mays Landing: (609) 476–5200
Voorhees: (856)
DDD Community Services Office – ask for Intake Unit
Everyone has to come back through Intake at DDD now (even if had DDD services as child/young adult)
Emphasize staying in school until 21 and have exhausted educational entitlement to assure no service gaps between school-funded services and DDD-funded services
Walkin calls mail in
Check our system

10. Intake Process Family Submit Application Intake Case Manger
Contact Family
Discuss Application
Service Needs
Review Application
Review Documentation
Review Included Evaluations/Assessments
NJCAT
Assessment Tool Distribution
Link/Phone call
Determination
Eligible for DDD
Additional Follow-up Needed
Ineligible for DDD

11. Review of DDD Application

12. Application Breakdown
Community Service Office Contact Information

13. Application Breakdown
Eligibility Documentation Checklist

14. Application Breakdown
Include As Many of The Available Documents That Relate to Your Developmental Disability

15. Application Breakdown
Application for Eligibility
Pg 1-2 -
Pg 3 – Medicaid Eligbility

16. Application Breakdown
ICD-10 Coding Sheet

17. Application Breakdown
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.

18. Application Breakdown
Additional Documentation

19. Frequently Asked Questions

20. Frequently Asked Question
Should I complete the DDD application even though I am still waiting to hear if I am Medicaid eligible?

21. Frequently Asked Question
If I am coming from another state what records are acceptable to be submitted with the DDD application?

22. Frequently Asked Question
If I applied for DDD when my child was 17 or younger do I have to apply again? If so, what does the process look like?

23. Additional Questions?