Greenwald Unveils Bill To Overhaul Care For Developmentally Disabled

For Release: January 8, 2009

Contact: Brian McGinnis, 856-435-1247

GREENWALD UNVEILS BILL TO OVERHAUL CARE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Measure Would Save Money, Enhance Services by Ending Institutionalization

(TRENTON)—  Standing alongside advocates for the developmentally disabled, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald today unveiled legislation that would radically restructure the way the state cares for individuals with developmental disabilities by refocusing funds from costly institutional care toward community-based services.

The bill (A-3625) aims to reduce the population of New Jersey’s seven developmental centers by 80 percent within five years.

“We need to bring the way we care for the developmentally disabled into the 21^st century,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “By investing in community-based programs rather than traditional institutionalized models, we can both save taxpayers money and provide higher-quality care.”

Approximately 2,500 individuals currently reside in one of New Jersey’s seven developmental centers. While this population represents 8 percent of the population served by the state Division of Developmental Disabilities, the centers consume over 30 percent of its $1.4 billion budget. Greenwald's legislation would provide funding for community programs to transfer individuals out of institutions.

“We can’t continue to keep human beings in warehouses when they can live productive lives as part of the community,” said Greenwald. “A huge number of individuals living in developmental centers today would prosper in a community setting, yet we still spend millions of dollars to keep them institutionalized. It doesn’t make sense.”

The legislation would also drastically reduce the Community Services Waiting List, which has doubled to nearly 8,000 names during the past decade. Because of the lack of investment in community supports, thousands of individuals on the waiting list have only two options: continue to live at home or face institutionalization. 

Joining Greenwald at the State House was Pat Davis-Johnson, whose son spent 18 years at the New Lisbon Developmental Center prior to being successfully transitioned into a community setting. The Assemblyman's legislation has also garnered the support the New Jersey Association of Community Providers and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

“For many families, the waiting list represents a health care purgatory, with no end in sight” said Greenwald. “We need to stop the endless waiting and start ensuring better futures for these families."

Housing in a developmental center costs roughly $223,000 annually ($641 per day) per resident. In stark contrast, the same individual could be placed in the community for less than half the cost -- an average of $300 per day.

“Not only could a focus on community-based care save the state millions of dollars, it will lead to better care for the developmentally disabled,” said Greenwald. “Providing more independence and more choice will lead to a higher quality of life as an integrated part of the community.”

Specifically, Greenwald's legislation aims to:

• Reduce the developmental center population by 80 percent within five years by transferring individuals who have been recommended for community placement into the community; 
• Develop and expand community services to reduce the Community Services Waiting List; 
• Redeploy developmental center personnel to support community living; 
• Create a bridge fund from savings achieved through reduced overtime at developmental centers, increased federal community care waiver dollars, reduced operational cost of developmental centers, and other cost-savings; 
• Establish the Community Services Planning Council for Persons with Developmental Disabilities to assist with implementation. Among the council's 17 members would be the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, the state Treasurer, the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Budget and Human Services committees, advocates and family members.    

New Jersey’s seven developmental centers are: Green Brook Regional Center (Somerset), Hunterdon Developmental Center (Hunterdon), New Lisbon Developmental Center (Burlington), North Jersey Developmental Center (Passaic), Vineland Developmental Center (Cumberland), Woodbine Developmental Center (Cape May), and Woodbridge Developmental Center (Middlesex).

Greenwald formally introduced the measure last month. It has been referred to the Assembly Human Services Committee for consideration.