State Agencies
The chart below lists some of the State Government Agencies providing services for children and adults with autism. Additional information about navigating these goverment entities to access services can be found in our Age Related Concerns section or by calling 800.4.AUTISM.
DEPARTMENT |
HEALTH (DOH) | CHILDREN AND FAMILY (DCF) | EDUCATION (DOE) | HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) | LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (DLWD) |
DIVISION |
(Division of Family Health Services) | Division of Child Integrated System of Care Services (CSOC) | (Division of Student Services) |
Division of Developmental Disabilities Division of Disability Services (DDS) |
Division of Vocational Rehab Services (DVRS) |
OFFICE |
Early Intervention System (EIS) | Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) | |||
PRIMARY AGES SERVED |
Birth to 3 | School Aged (3 to 21) | School Aged (3 to 21) | Transition (16-21) & Adult (21+) | Transition (16-21) & Adult (21+) |
Department of Health (DOH)
The Department of Health’s mission is to foster accessible and high-quality health services to help all people in New Jersye achieve optimal health, dignity and independence; to prevent disease, promote and protect well-being at all life stages and encourage informed choices that enrich quality of life for individuals and communities.
Key Staff: Mary E. O’Dowd, M.P.H., Commissioner
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625
Tel: 800-367-6543 (toll free) or 609-292-7837
Website: www.state.nj.us/health
Early Intervention System (EIS)
The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, implements New Jersey’s statewide system of services for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Department of Health (DOH) is appointed by the Governor as the state lead agency for the Early Intervention System. For more information about eligibility and services, visit our Age Related Concerns section.
50 East State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
Tel: 609-777-7734 (MAIN); 888-653-4463 (Referral Line)
Website: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml
Learn more about Early Intervention in our Resources section.
Autism Registry
In 2007, the New Jersey State Legislature and Governor Corzine enacted a law that requires the Department of Health to maintain a registry of individuals diagnosed with autism.
Licensed health care professionals should register any child whom they have diagnosed with autism, or follow (previously diagnosed with autism). To register a child, complete the SCH-0 and SCH-1 forms found on the Department website.
If you are a family seeking more information, download The New Jersey Autism Registry Information for Families Brochure.
PO Box 364
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
Tel: 609.292.5676
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/sch/index.shtml
Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families is the state’s comprehensive agency dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being and success of children, youth, families and communities. Beginning July 1, 2012 and fully effective as of January 1, 2013, families of children under the age of 21 previously receiving services from DDD will be transferred to DCF. On January 1, DCF assumes responsibility for the Family Support Program and all new children entering the system will enter through DCF. The newly created Division of Child Integrated System of Care Services will create a single point of entry for children & families into the system and better provide a continuum of care. To learn more about these services and eligibility, click here.
Key Staff: Dr. Allison Blake, Commissioner
P.O. Box 729
Trenton, NJ 08625-0729
Phone: 1-855-INFO-DCF (1-855-463-6323)
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/
Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC)
DCF’s Division of Children’s System of Care, CSOC, (formerly the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services) serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health care challenges and their families; and children with developmental disabilities. CSOC is committed to providing these services based on the needs of the child and family in a family-centered, community-based environment.
Key Staff: Elizabeth Manley, Director
50 East State Street, 4th floor
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
Phone: 609-888-7200
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/csc/
Email: [email protected]
PerformCare
PerformCare is the Contracted System Administrator (CSA) for the CSOC, and the single point of entry for children and youth up to age 21.
300 Horizon Drive Suite 306
Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1919
Phone: 877-652-7624
Website: http://performcarenj.org/families/disability/index.aspx
Department of Education (DOE)
DOE is responsible for overseeing more than 600 school districts and administering education programs to more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children.
Key Staff: Chris Cerf, Commissioner
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Tel: 609-292-4450
Fax: 609-777-4099
Website: www.state.nj.us/education
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
OSEP, within the Division of Student Services, has oversight responsibilities for the provision of education and related support services to students aged 3 to 21 with disabilities. The Office implements state and federal laws and regulations governing special education to ensure that pupils with disabilities in New Jersey receive full educational opportunities. To learn more about your education rights, click here.
Key Staff: Dr. Peggy McDonald, Director
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Tel: 609-292-0147
Fax: 609-984-8422
Website: www.nj.gov/njded/specialed
Department of Human Services (DHS)
The largest department in New Jersey state government, DHS serves 1.5 million New Jerseyans, or about one of every six state residents. DHS provides support services for people with disabilities and their families, as well as programs for mental health consumers, protective services for children, the New Jersey Medicaid program, food stamps, child care, financial assistance, and adoption.
Key Staff: Jennifer Velez, Esq., Commissioner
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 609-292-3717
Fax: 609-292-3824
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
DDD arranges and coordinates needed services to eligible New Jersey residents who have developmental disabilities. DDD’s mission is to assist people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. DDD serves individuals who live at home with their families, as well as individuals who are in living arrangements funded and licensed by DDD. These arrangements are operated by either private agencies or individuals under contract with DDD. DDD also operates developmental centers statewide.
Among the services DDD provides are case management, guardianship, assistance to parents in becoming legal guardians of their adult children, family support, residential services, day programs, and supported employment services. Most of these services are provided through contracts with private organizations or individual contractors. DDD administers the Community Care Waiver (CCW) within Medicaid for the State of New Jersey. Click here to learn more about the supports and services DDD provides.
Key Staff: Dawn Apgar, DDD Interim Division Director and DHS Deputy Commissioner
PO Box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625-0726
Tel: 800-832-9173 (toll free) or 609-987-0800
Fax: 609-987-2070
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd
There are 9 Community Service Offices serving the 21 counties throughout NJ. Click here to find the location that serves your county.
Learn more about DDD services in our Resources section.
Division of Disability Services (DDS)
The Division of Disability Services (DDS) focuses on serving people who have become disabled as adults, whether through illness or injury. Through its toll free hotline — 1-888-285-3036 — DDS responds to as many as 15,000 requests each year for Information and Referral Assistance on issues affecting people with any type of disability in the State of New Jersey. And, as one of its primary services, DDS publishes New Jersey Resources 2012, a comprehensive guide about services across New Jersey for people with disabilities. This directory is updated annually.
Key Staff: Joseph Amoroso, Director
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 888-285-3036 (toll free) or 609-292-7800
Fax: 609-292-1233
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
DLWD promotes economic activity, monitors labor standards, and administers federally funded programs, such as workers compensation, disability insurance, and unemployment compensation.
Key Staff: Harold J. Wirths, Commissioner
PO Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Tel: 609-292-2323
Fax: 609-633-9271
Website: www.state.nj.us/labor
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
DVRS is responsible for training and placement of persons of employable age with disabilities. The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is here to help individuals with disabilities that are having trouble finding or holding a job because of their disability. If you have a disability that is preventing you from working, or which is endangering your present employment, you may wish to submit a referral for services.
Key Staff: Alice Hunnicutt, Director
PO Box 398
Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
Tel: 609-292-5987
Fax: 609-292-8347
Website: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/DVRIndex.html
Click here for contact information for a DVRS Field Office that serves your county.
Learn more about DVRS in our Resources section.