Developmental Disabilities

New Jersey Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

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:

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

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.

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.

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.

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 to their websites can be located at:

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 19 local offices of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Job placement is made through private non-profit organizations. A listing of these organizations by county can be found at:

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.

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.

The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program in New Jersey also developed a document entitled Occupational Safety and Health Issues for Workers with Disabilities. This document can be found at the following website:

Any employee or employee representative concerned about public employee worker health and safety may file a complaint with PEOSH. To file a complaint, you may call or write to NJLWD to request a complaint form.

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.

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 1-800-792-8820

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 Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A) 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.