DRNJ Intake Program

DRNJ's Intake Unit is comprised of an Intake Coordinator, two Intake Specialists and an Advocate. The Intake Unit is also supported by on-call advocates and attorneys in the event intake staff are unavailable or require assistance. The Intake staff are able to provide information and referral during telephone interviews, as well as determine if further review is necessary. Should this be the case, the Intake staff will complete the intake interview to obtain the information necessary for the agency to consider the matter for further intervention.

Contacts can be made to the Intake Unit by telephone, in writing, by fax, e-mail or in person. Messages may be left on the agency's voice mail system 24 hours a day. Messages that are left on the Intake Unit voice mail system are returned within twenty-four hours. E-mails, faxes and written correspondence are reviewed twice weekly to provide information and referral or to request further information to complete an intake. Walk-ins are addressed immediately.

The Intake Unit is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and includes Spanish speaking staff. In addition, DRNJ has telephone language interpreting services to facilitate communication with individuals in 150 languages and dialects.

Grievance Policy

As a client of DRNJ, or someone requesting services from DRNJ, you have the right to file a grievance if you believe that we have wrongly denied you assistance with a disability-related matter.

DRNJ is authorized by Federal law to provide advocacy and legal services for eligible persons with disabilities in New Jersey. These services may be in the form of (1) legal, administrative and other appropriate interventions, (2) information about services and programs and referrals to other programs that can help individuals with disabilities, and (3) coordinating our programs with other programs that serve people with disabilities.

Because our funding is limited, we can not handle every complaint and case that comes to us. Each year after soliciting public comments, our Board of Directors approves a written statement of our goals and priorities. This statement of priorities determines the types of cases we take under each of our programs.

Unfortunately, if your problem or concern is not covered by our priorities, or is otherwise not permitted by Federal Law, we may not be able to help you. If we can not provide direct help, we will try to refer you to other agencies or persons who may be able to do so.

Even if your request is accepted for further assistance, we may not be able to provide the advocacy or legal representation you are seeking.

If you disagree with our decision not to accept your request for assistance or not to provide further advocacy or legal representation, you may request an appeal of this decision.

Appeals Process

If you disagree with the decision not to accept your request for assistance or not to provide further advocacy or legal representation, you may request an appeal by calling or writing the DRNJ's Appeals Coordinator at the address or telephone number listed on our Home Page.

Your request for an appeal should be communicated to DRNJ within thirty (30) days of the date you are informed of our decision.

Your appeal will be considered by the Executive Director of DRNJ, or his designee. The Executive Director, or his designee, will consider the information available to DRNJ at the time the original decision was made. The Executive Director, or his designee, will issue a written decision within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for an appeal.

If you disagree with the decision of the Executive Director, you may request an appeal to a committee of the Board of Directors. Again, you may request an appeal by calling or writing DRNJ's Appeals Coordinator at the address listed on our Home Page. Your request for an appeal should be communicated to DRNJ within thirty (30) days of the date you are informed of the Executive Director's decision.

Your request for an appeal will be sent to the Board committee within fifteen (15) days of receipt. You should be notified of the committee's decision approximately thirty (30) days after the receipt of your request.

DRNJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides services to all persons with disabilities regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry or disability.
Any concerns regarding the agency’s compliance with these non-discrimination efforts may be brought to the attention of the Executive Director.

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities

Intake

Grievance Policy

Appeals Process