DRNJ Priorities Page

Protection and advocacy program goals and priorities ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable populations are served and the most critical, far-reaching issues are addressed. Goals and priorities also assist DRNJ as it faces a demand for representation that often exceeds the resources of the P&A system.

DRNJ began a new priority cycle in the fiscal year starting October 1, 2008. In preparation for the development of new priorities, DRNJ distributed new priority rating surveys and conducted focus groups of people with disabilities, their families, professionals, health care and service providers and others about the needs of people with disabilities and the barriers to addressing those needs. The data collected was shared with our advisory groups and staff for development into priorities, goals and objectives, and finally approved by the DRNJ Governing Board at its September 2008 meeting.

If you would like to be provided with surveys, or if your group would like to host a focus group to help DRNJ modify or update its goals and priorities, please contact DRNJ's outreach office at 609-292-9742.

Goals and priorities in effect through the 2011 fiscal year are listed below. Comments or questions regarding DRNJ's current priorities should be directed to DRNJ at 609-292-9742.

GOAL 1 - ABUSE AND NEGLECT

PRIORITY: DISCHARGE FROM INSTITUTIONS

To ensure that individuals with disabilities in institutional settings are discharged to community settings with appropriate supports and services.

PRIORITY: RESTAINT AND SECLUSION

To reduce the incidence of restraint and seclusion within institutional settings.

PRIORITY: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

To ensure that the rights of individuals with disabilities in institutions and community settings are protected.

PRIORITY: UNUSUAL AND SUSPICIOUS DEATHS

To ensure that unusual and suspicious deaths of persons residing in state-operated or sponsored institutions and programs are appropriately investigated and responded to.

GOAL 2 - DISCRIMINATION

To ensure that people with disabilities have greater access to accessible, affordable housing and experience decreased housing discrimination.

PRIORITY: EMPLOYMENT

To ensure that people with disabilities experience decreased employment discrimination and gain increased opportunities.

To ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity and can exercise the right to register and vote.

PRIORITY: PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

To ensure that people with disabilities have non-discriminatory access to public accommodations and public entities.

GOAL 3 - COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

PRIORITY: COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

To ensure that people with disabilities have access to appropriate community-based supports and services to promote integration and independence.

PRIORITY: ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION

To improve the availability of accessible transportation for people with disabilities.

PRIORITY: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

To ensure that people with disabilities are included in and accounted for in emergency preparedness planning.

GOAL 4 - HEALTH CARE

PRIORITY: HEALTH CARE

To ensure that people with disabilities have access to appropriate health care services.

PRIORITY: INFORMED DECISION MAKING

To ensure that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected through informed individual and/or surrogate decision making.

GOAL 5 - EDUCATION

PRIORITY: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

To promote inclusive education for children with disabilities in least restrictive environments consistent with and appropriate to their needs.

PRIORITY: EARLY INTERVENTION

To ensure that families and children eligible for New Jersey's Early Intervention Program have access to and receive early intervention services.

PRIORITY: TRANSITION PLANNING

To promote the development and implementation of transition planning for students with disabilities.

PRIORITY: CHILDREN IN JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

To ensure that children with disabilities involved in the Juvenile Justice system receive educational services consistent with federal and state laws.

GOAL 6 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

PRIORITY: STATE LEVEL ACTIVITIES

To conduct state level activities to increase awareness and acquisition of assistive technology.

PRIORITY: STATE LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

To conduct statewide leadership activities to increase awareness and enhance the use of assistive technology.

PRIORITY: COMMUNITY CHOICE FUND

To facilitate the discharge of people with disabilities and elderly residents of nursing homes to the community through access to assistive technology devices and services.

To increase access to assistive technology through individual advocacy and legal representation.

GOAL 7 - WORK AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

PRIORITY: REHABILITATION SERVICES

To ensure that people with disabilities receive services on a timely basis consistent with the Rehabilitation Act.

PRIORITY: WORK-RELATED OVERPAYMENTS

To assist beneficiaries of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income who receive notices of work-related overpayments to contest disputed overpayment claims and obtain waivers of repayment as appropriate.

PRIORITY: TICKET TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES

To assist beneficiaries of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income to remove barriers to employment.

GOAL 8 - CONSUMER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

PRIORITY: UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS

To increase services to historically underserved urban, rural and minority persons with disabilities.

PRIORITY: EDUCATION AND TRAINING

To promote the education of consumers and their families regarding disability rights and issues.

PRIORITY: SELF-ADVOCACY

To promote consumer participation in self-advocacy and rights education and training.

PRIORITY: PUBLIC AWARENESS

To increase general awareness of New Jersey's P&A and its mission.

PRIORITY: INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

To provide information and referral services for people with disabilities in New Jersey.

GOAL 9 - QUALITY ASSURANCE

PRIORITY: CLIENT SATISFACTION

To develop and maintain activities promoting assessment of client satisfaction.

PRIORITY: CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES

To ensure that DRNJ provides culturally competent services.

PRIORITY: CLIENT GRIEVANCE

To ensure that DRNJ's clients receive information regarding DRNJ's procedural protections.

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.