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Family Update · Fall 2026 |
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| NJ DDD Family & Support Coordinator Update |
Three things to act on before the new year
What NJ families and support coordinators can do now, before January.
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Hi there,
Fall is busy for anyone working with New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities. Here is what changed this month, why it matters for the people you support, and the simple next steps we would take.
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Save the dates |
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Oct 7 Virtual Family Networking Session, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct 28 First free DDD webinar on the behavioral supports bulletin |
| Jan 1, 2027 NJ FamilyCare work rules begin |
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Behavioral supports: look at the plan now |
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| On September 15 DDD issued an information bulletin setting out how behavioral supports (assessment and plan development, and monitoring) are authorized and billed when they are added to an Individualized Service Plan. DDD says the parameters are in effect immediately. |
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What to do |
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 | Support coordinators: review any ISP that includes behavioral supports against the new bulletin. | | Families: ask your support coordinator one question: does this change anything in our plan? | | Join one of DDD's free webinars on the bulletin, October 28, November 18 or December 16. They are open to everyone. |
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NJ FamilyCare work rules start January 1, 2027 |
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| New Jersey will begin an 80-hour monthly work requirement for certain adults aged 19 to 64 on NJ FamilyCare. The federal law behind it includes exemptions, for example for people with a disability and for family caregivers of a person with a disability, but you may be asked to show proof. |
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What to do |
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| Make sure NJ FamilyCare has current contact details for the person you support and for their guardian. | | Open every notice and keep disability and caregiving paperwork in one place. | | If a letter is confusing, bring it to your support coordinator early. Don't wait for the renewal date. | | Guardians: note when the person you support is due to renew, and put a reminder in your calendar a month ahead. |
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Quick tip
Bring your questions written down
Write them down before a DDD webinar or family session, and keep the ISP next to you. Clear answers come faster when the details are in front of you.
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Dates worth saving |
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| DDD posts a monthly public update (September's recording is online) and runs free sessions for families. |
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What to do |
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| October 7, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.: statewide virtual Family Networking Session on self-direction. | | October 27, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.: in-person Family Networking Session, Monmouth County Library, Manalapan. | | Start a lifespan binder this weekend: school records, evaluations, the ISP and any Medicaid notices. | | Support coordinators: share these dates with families who are new to self-direction. A first conversation with other parents often answers questions a form can't. |
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Thank you for everything you do for the people you support. If something in this issue touches your plan, we would be glad to talk it through with you.
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Warm regards,
Priscilla Gbemisola
NJ Home Care Team Lead
Priority Group Services NJ
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About us
Priority Group Services NJ supports families with home care and NJ DDD waiver services, and provides nurse, CNA and school-nurse staffing. We are rooted in Essex, Hudson and Bergen counties.
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Supporting someone through DDD in New Jersey?
See what Priority Group Services NJ offers families and support coordinators, from our office in Newark.
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| We’re a call or an email away |
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Sources
NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, Division Update (2026-09-15)
NJ DDD Information Bulletin, Unit Authorization and Billing Parameters for Behavioral Supports (2026-09-15)
Jersey Vindicator, "Workfare could offer path to meeting Medicaid work rules" (2026-09-20)
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Priority Group Services NJ (Priority Group Services LLC)211 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07103
This is the web version of The Support Circle from Priority Group Services NJ.
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