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NJCDD New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

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What is a Developmental Disability?

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY is a condition that:

• Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments;
• Is manifest before age 22;
• Is likely to continue indefinitely;
• Results in substantial function limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity, that is, self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction and capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency; and
• Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

What is the Council on Developmental Disabilities?

THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
, funded by the federal government with matching funds from the state, is a lead change agent in the State responsible for a vision of what the lives of people with developmental disabilities should be. Through its membership and its activities and projects, the Council provides a forum and resources for making its vision a reality.

The State Plan is the official document that contains details on Council membership, general information about research findings, a listing of Council priority areas and activities for the Plan Cycle, required assurances and basic financial information on Council allocations. In it, the Council states its VISION for people with developmental disabilities living in New Jersey.

The Council is authorized by the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and in New Jersey State government by NJSA 30:1AA 1.2 and is codified in Title 10 of the State Administrative Codes. State law places the Council "in but not of" the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Many public and private agencies are involved in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. The Council provides a platform for these agencies, together with consumers, parents and advocates, to develop a coordinated social policy. To this end, the Council commissions research on policy issues and funds model programs. The Council also funds projects to inform decision-makers, legislators and the general public about developmental disabilities.

PURPOSE AND VISION

The purpose of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402) is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of life through culturally competent programs.

The purpose of the Developmental Disabilities Councils, according to federal law, is to engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change that contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed comprehensive system that includes needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self determination for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families

The Vision of the New Jersey  Council on Developmental Disabilities is that all individuals with developmental disabilities are contributing members of their neighborhoods and communities; make real choices and have control over their own lives; have the freedom to strive, excel, and make mistakes; are in a position to achieve personal goals, are in a position to affect policy and process decisions that affect their lives; and have the same rights, privileges, responsibilities, and opportunities of citizenship as does any other New Jersey resident.

BECOMING A COUNCIL MEMBER

Individuals with developmental disabilities, or parents, family members or guardians of people with developmental disabilities, may apply to become a Council member by contacting the Governor's Office of Appointments at 609-777-0251 for an application. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS

CHAIR
Elaine Buchsbaum

VICE-CHAIR
Christopher Miller

SELF-ADVOCATE MEMBERS
Todd Emmons, Voorhees

Russell Fried, Laurel Springs

Andrew McGeady, Jackson zinkemcgeady@optonline.net

Christopher Miller, Neptune City cmvoiceonwheels@yahoo.com

Myrta Rosa, Plainfield

Gary Rubin, Elizabeth, garyben1965@aol.com

David Tag, Voorhees dtag329@verizon.net

Betsy Smith, Montclair  betsysmith02@comcast.net

 

PARENT OR GUARDIAN REPRESENTATIVES
Elaine Buchsbaum, Stockton efbuchsbaum@aol.com
Ellie Byra, Flemington elliebyra@comcast.net
Walter Fernandez, Barnegat wjfern@aol.com
Purnima Hernandez, Glen Rock rhprh@optonline.net

Leah Ziskin, Cherry Hill leah.ziskin@comcast.net

 

FEDERALLY MANDATED MEMBERS
Federally mandated  members of the Council serve in accordance with the federal
Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights and Assistance Act.


NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
Division of Family Health Services
Gloria Rodriguez, Assistant Commissioner pauline.lisciotto@doh.state.nj.us

Designee: Pauline Lisciotto

NJ Department of Human Services

Division of Disability Services
Joseph M. Amoroso, Director,
joseph.amoroso@dhs.state.nj.us
Designee: Harry Pizutelli

NJ Department of Education
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625
Office of Special Education Programs
Barbara Gantwerk, Assistant Commissioner, dolores.walther@doe.state.nj.us
Designee: Kimberly Murray, kimberly.murray@doe.state.nj.us
Phone: 609-633-8848

NJ Department of Labor
Div. of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Alice Hunnicutt, Director, alice.hunnicutt@dol.state.nj.us

Designee: David Free

Protection and Advocacy System
Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)
Joseph Young, Executive Director jyoung@DRNJ.org

NJ Department of Human Services
Div. of Medical Assistance & Health Services
Valerie Harr, Directorvalerie.harr@dhs.state.nj.us
Designee: Phyllis Napier Melendez

NJ Department of Human Services
Div. of Developmental Disabilities
Dawn Apgar, Deputy Commissioner

University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education,
Research and Service

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities

Deborah Spitalnik, Ph.D., Director deborah.spitalnik@umdnj.edu
Designee: Michael Knox michael.knox@umdnj.edu

PUBLIC MEMBER
Frank Caragher, The Arc of Union County, fcaragher@arcofunion.org

COUNCIL STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alison  M. Lozano, Ph.D., M.P.A. alison.lozano@njcdd.org

DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Vacant

Coordinator of Regional Family Support Planning Councils
Bonnie Brien, bonnie.brien@njcdd.org

Project Manager/ Diversity Coordinator
Jane Dunhamn
,
jane.dunhamn@njcdd.org

Fiscal Officer / Office Manager
Gail Furrer,  gail.furrer@njcdd.org

Public Policy
Sue Gottesman, sue.gottesman@njcdd.org

Clerk/Receptionist
Gail Hodges,  
gail.hodges@njcdd.org

Youth Coordinator
Frank Latham, frank.latham@njcdd.org

Monday Morning Project Coordinator
Barbara Lee, barbara.lee@njcdd.org

Public Information Officer
Jonathan Waller,
jonathan.waller@njcdd.org

State Plan Coordinator / Contracts Manager
Dolores Roselli ,
dolores.roselli@njcdd.org

Advocacy Training Coordinator (Partners in Policymaking)
Dennie Todd, dennie.todd@njcdd.org

Administrative Assistant
Jacinta Williams, jacinta.williams@njcdd.org

Administrative Consultant
Douglas McGruther

Web Administrator/Graphic Designer
Maria Ali, maria.ali@njcdd.org

 


HOW TO CONTACT US

MAILING ADDRESS
New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ 08625-0700

LOCATION
Mary Roebling Building
20 West State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, New Jersey
Directions

Office Hours:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

TELEPHONE (609) 292-3745
TOLL-FREE 1 (800) 792-8858
TDD (609) 777-3238
FAX (609) 292-7114
EMAIL  
njcdd@njcdd.org

PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
March 17, 2011(MINUTES)

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Meetings are currently held at the Trenton Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center

 (except where noted below) 

1 West Lafayette Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
 

 Meeting Times  - 10 AM to 3 PM

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS to Trenton Marriott Conference Center

 

2012 PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE
January 26                   Trenton
May 17
July 26
November 1
 

RELATED LINKS
Council Bylaws
DD Act
State Statute
Position Statements
Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)