WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

New Jersey Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) under the Department of Human Services serves more than 35,000 people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. As part of its services provision, DDD offers case management, residential services, and various family support services that help both people with developmental disabilities and their families. DDD services also include the provision of day programs, which help the consumer develop vocational skills and learn how to use community resources; supported employment services, which help the consumer develop job skills such as group interaction, teach the consumer about volunteerism, and offer job coaching to help consumers remain employed.

To apply for services, an individual must contact the Community Services Office serving the county in which they live. Most services are provided through state contracts with private organizations or individuals. To determine the Community Services Office in a particular county go to the following website:

Division of Developmental Disabilities
P. O. Box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 631-2200
1-800-832-9173

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental 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 helped individuals with disabilities that are having trouble finding or holding a job because of their disability. People with a disability that is preventing them from working or which is endangering their present employment, may wish to submit a referral for services.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
1 LWD Building, 10th Floor
John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Phone: 609-292-5987
FAX: 609-292-8347
TTY: 609-292-2919

Sheltered Employment

DDD services also include sheltered workshops, where individuals receive work-related training, such as learning how to package and assemble products, as well as job counseling and job referrals. Also offered are supported employment services which include a job coach to work one-on-one with the worker, group placements, and job sampling where a consumer can sample different jobs to determine their personal preferences, strengths, needs and abilities.

Division of Developmental Disabilities
P. O. box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625Phone: 609-631-2200
800-832-9173

Organizations with contracts to provide Vocational Rehabilitation services in New Jersey are accredited by CARF. CARF requires providers to conduct an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

For more information about CARF accreditation, go to their website
or call their main office in Tucson, AZ at 888-281-6531.

Sheltered workshops in New Jersey are run by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) which provides contract work. DDD funds participation in the DVRS program for some individuals who may benefit and do not receive DVRS funding. As provided for in N.J.S.A 34:16-40(e), sheltered employment is designed to provide long term employment for the consumer who is unable to work in the competitive labor market There are 13 sheltered workshop programs in New Jersey. Sheltered workshops are considered private employment settings. A complete listing of sheltered workshop locations and links can be found on their website.

Competitive Employment

Vocational Rehabilitation Services are provided under the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is available to help individuals with disabilities that are having trouble finding or holding a job because of their disability. Throughout the state there are local offices of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Job placement is made through private non-profit organizations.

Department of labor and Workforce Development
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
LWD Building, 10th Floor
1 John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Phone: 609-292-5987
FAX: 609-292-8347
TTY: 609-292-2919

Health and Safety

In New Jersey, workers with developmental disabilities, employed by private sector employers are covered by Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are four area OSHA offices in New Jersey.

To report safety or health issues in a private employment setting contact the closest area federal OSHA office.

Avenel Area Office
1030 St. Georges Avenue
Plaza 35, Suite 205
Avenel, New Jersey 07001
Phone: 732-750-3270
Fax:: 732-750-4737

Hasbrouck Heights Area Office
500 Route 17 South
2nd Floor
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey 07604
Phone: 201-288-1700
Fax: 201-288-7315

Marlton Area Office
Marlton Executive Park, Building 2
701 Route 73 South, Suite 120
Marlton, New Jersey 08053
Phone: 856-596-5200
Fax: 856-596-520l

Parsippany Area Office
299 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 103
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
Phone: 973-263-1003
Fax: 973-299-7161

Using the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development free On-Site Consultation Service, employers can learn out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their occupational safety and health management systems, and even qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health
1 John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 50110
Phone: 609-292-0404 or 609-292-4409

In 2001, New Jersey received approval from OSHA to administer its own occupational safety and health programs for public employees. The New Jersey Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health Act (N.J.S.A. 34:6A-25 et seq.) provides for the development and enforcement of occupational safety standards for public employees throughout the State. The Public Employees Occupational Safety & Health Act (PEOSH) is administered by two departments. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) investigate complaints regarding health hazards in the workplace. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD) investigates complaints regarding safety hazards in the workplace. In addition, NJDLWD is responsible for administering and enforcing the Act throughout the State.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
PEOSH Program
P. O. Box 369
135 E. State Street
Trenton, NJ  08625-0369
Phone 609-292-7837
Toll Free in NJ: 800-367-6543

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

In New Jersey there is no hotline established to deal specifically with concerns about abuse and neglect in the workplace. Concerns about the abuse and neglect of individuals with developmental disabilities may be directed to the Adult Protective Services (APS) program. APS is located in each of the 21 counties and is monitored and evaluated by state staff. Complainants may be clients, caregivers, family members, agencies or any interested or involved individuals.

Calls may be made to the particular county APS office or to the APS Public Awareness, Information, Assistance and Outreach Unit toll-free number 800-792-8820
website

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Division of Aging and Community Services
P. O. Box 812
Trenton, NJ 08625-0812
Phone: 609-341-5467
Toll Free: in NJ: 800-367-6543

Protection and Advocacy

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities serves as a watchdog agency to help people with disabilities and their families improve their lives.

New Jersey Council of Developmental Disabilities
P.O. Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Phone: 609-292-3745
Toll Free: 800-792-8858
TDD: 609-777-3238
Fax: 609-292-7114

Disability Rights New Jersey is the consumer-directed, non-profit organization that serves as New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in the state.

Disability Rights New Jersey
210 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
Phone: 609-292-9742
800-922-7233 in NJ Only
Fax: 609-777-0187
TTY: 609-633-7106