Supported Employment in New Jersey
A real job, real wages, and real belonging in a workplace — with the right support behind it. Supported Employment helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and keep competitive jobs in the community, backed by New Jersey’s DDD programs.
What Supported Employment Includes
Supported Employment provides individualized help through every stage of working life: finding the right job, learning it, and keeping it. Employment specialists work with both the individual and the employer, so support benefits everyone.
The aim is competitive, integrated employment — real jobs at real wages alongside coworkers without disabilities — with support that fades as independence grows and returns whenever it is needed.
What's Included
Job development
Finding openings that match the individual's skills, interests, and career plan.
Application & interview support
Resumes, applications, and interview preparation — done with the person, not for them.
On-the-job coaching
Side-by-side support learning tasks, routines, and workplace expectations.
Employer partnership
Working with supervisors on training, accommodations, and long-term success.
Fading support
Coaching steps back as confidence builds — and steps in again when needed.
Long-term follow-along
Ongoing check-ins that keep employment stable for the long run.
How It Works With Your NJ DDD Plan
Services are delivered through New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) programs. Your Support Coordinator adds Supported Employment to the individual’s person-centered plan, and we take it from there — matching staff, building the schedule, and reporting progress against the plan’s goals. If you don’t yet have a Support Coordinator, we can point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of jobs do people get?
Real community jobs matched to each person — retail, food service, offices, warehouses, healthcare settings, and more. The career plan drives the search, not a preset list.
Is Supported Employment covered by NJ DDD?
Yes — it is a core service under NJ DDD’s programs when included in the individual’s service plan, and it is also coordinated with NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services where appropriate.
What if the job doesn't work out?
That is part of the journey, not the end of it. We regroup, apply what was learned, and support the search for a better fit — follow-along support exists exactly for this.
Explore More DDD Waiver Services
Priority Group Services supports the whole person-centered plan — services combine seamlessly under one trusted NJ provider.
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