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Trusted and Proven

Support Coordination since 2012

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What is Support Coordination?

  • A support coordinator helps you get the supports you need to live your life. This includes:

    • Helping you find providers, services, and resources
    • Developing and maintaining your Person Center Planning Tool and New Jersey Individualized Service Plan
    • Maintaining relationships between you, your family, and providers
    • Responding to emergencies

The Boggs Center at Rutgers has a great guide on support coordination and how to select an agency:

https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/products/SelectingandEvaluatingSupportCoordinationAgency.html

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DDD Eligibility Requirements:

What are the requirements for Division of Developmental Disabilities services?

  • At least 21 years old
  • Deemed eligible for Division Services
  • Has and maintains Medicaid eligibility
  • Live in an unlicensed setting- own home or family home
  • Not currently in another HCBS or MLTSS program
  • If enrolled in another program, agrees to disenroll in order to enroll on the Supports Program

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How to Enroll with DDD:

The application process begins by contacting the Division Community Services Office representing the region in which the individual resides or by downloading the application from the Division website listed below:

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/individuals/applyservices/

Upon request, the intake worker can provide assistance in completing the application

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The NJCAT:

  • The NJCAT( NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool) is comprised of the Functional Criteria Assessment (FCA) and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Tool (DDRT)
  • The FCA Portion of the NJCAT will be used to assess the seven areas of major activities of daily living:
  • Self-care
  • Learning
  • Mobility
  • Communication
  • Self-direction
  • Economic self-sufficiency
  • The ability to live independently

This will be used to make a preliminary determination whether the individual has functional limitations in at least three of these areas.

Once the NJCAT is completed, the intake team will make a final decision concerning eligibility and you will be assigned a tier.

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Quick Points to Remember about Tiers:

  • Tiers are assigned according to levels of support. If your child is a Tier A and they really are a Tier A, then your SCA will be able to find you services to meet your needs
  • A larger budget does not necessarily mean you have more money to spend. Rates are based upon the level of support needed, so services for someone with a Tier A are less than someone with a Tier E.

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Quick Points to Remember about Tiers:

  • If your child has an acuity, this means additional funds have been added for medical or behavioral supports.

  • If you feel that your child’s tier is incorrect, you can request a reassessment. Please remember that a reassessment does not guarantee that your child’s tier will go up. It can go down as well.

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Choosing a Support Coordination Agency:

Currently, there are over 180 Support Coordination Agencies, so you have lots of choices.

On the next slides are some tips and questions to ask when shopping around for an agency:

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Choosing a Support Coordination Agency:

Can the Support Coordination Agency approve their own plans?

If they can this does not mean the agency is any better than an agency that requires DDD approval. It does mean that an agency can expedite plan approvals and revisions.

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Choosing a Support Coordination Agency:

Ask about employee turnover

Remember this is a relationship-based service and for it to be successful your Support Coordinator needs to know your child, their needs, and the family as a whole.

You do not want to be reintroducing your child to a new Support Coordinator every few months.

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Choosing a Support Coordination Agency:

Ask about Support Coordinator caseloads and the territory they cover.

You want them to be competent.

If they have too few families, are they really invested in their job?

If they have too many families, are they stretched too thin?

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Choosing a Support Coordination Agency:

How many families does your agency serve?

In the whole state and in your area?

How does your agency support its support coordinators?

What kind of training do they provide? What resources are available to them?

Do you allow your Support Coordinators to work for other agencies?

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About us:

  • Established in 2012
  • We only provide is support coordination
  • Currently, we serve over 1,000 families in 16 counties throughout New Jersey
  • Our team comprises of more than 40 professionals working together to serve your family

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Our Contact Information:

Phone: 855.222.3051

Website:

https://skylandsfamilyservices.com/

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates and information:

https://www.facebook.com/SFS4loved1/

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