Bill Text: NJ AR146 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges the Commissioner of Human Services to reconsider phasing out funding for sheltered workshop services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-21 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR146 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR146-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHEILA Y. OLIVER
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Assemblyman VINCENT PRIETO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Urges the Commissioner of Human Services to reconsider phasing out funding for sheltered workshop services.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the Commissioner of Human Services to reconsider phasing out funding for sheltered workshop services.
Whereas, The Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services issued a fact sheet in March 2013 indicating that funding for sheltered workshop services would be phased out over the next 12 to 18 months; and
Whereas, Sheltered workshops provide 830 New Jersey residents with developmental disabilities with the opportunity to work and earn money at less than minimum wage in settings that provide the services and supports they need to be successful in the workplace; and
Whereas, Sheltered workshops help to foster independence, social integration, self-confidence, and economic self-sufficiency in individuals with developmental disabilities; and
Whereas, The March 2013 fact sheet indicates that individuals currently attending sheltered workshop programs will be able to access other supports and services, which are intended to assist these individuals in gaining competitive employment; and
Whereas, Without the array of services provided by sheltered workshops, individuals transitioned to competitive employment may be at greater risk of social isolation; and
Whereas, Without the State oversight exercised over sheltered workshops, individuals in competitive employment may be more vulnerable to exploitation by employers; and
Whereas, Individuals transitioned out of sheltered workshops will struggle to find work in an economy characterized by an unemployment rate that is currently approximately 1.5 percentage points higher than the national average; and
Whereas, Some individuals with developmental disabilities may not be well-suited for competitive employment, but are successful in sheltered workshop settings; and
Whereas, If sheltered workshops are eliminated but individuals are not able to find competitive employment, they may spend their time in day habilitation programs, which provide no opportunity to earn monetary wages, or they may remain at home and disengage from the community; and
Whereas, The rationale for eliminating funding for sheltered workshops, as articulated by the March 2013 fact sheet, is related to the federal government's decision in September 2011 to discontinue its share of funding for the services through the Medicaid program; and
Whereas, The inability to receive federal funds is not a sufficient reason to discontinue State funding for an essential program, and the State budget has funded the program since 2011; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that sheltered workshops continue to serve a crucial function in the State's system of supports for individuals with developmental disabilities; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey urges the Commissioner of Human Services to reconsider the decision to phase out funding for sheltered workshop services.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor and the Commissioner of Human Services.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution urges the Commissioner of Human Services to reconsider the decision to phase out funding for sheltered workshop services.
Sheltered workshops provide a safe environment for individuals with developmental disabilities to work and earn wages, fostering independence, social integration, self-confidence, and economic self-sufficiency. A fact sheet issued by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in March 2013 detailed the division's decision to eliminate funding for sheltered workshop services within the next 12 to 18 months. In place of sheltered workshops, the division plans to encourage its clients to seek competitive employment, which may not provide the same opportunities for socialization and personal growth or protection from exploitation that is offered by sheltered workshops. In addition, these individuals will struggle to find work in an economy characterized by high unemployment. If they cannot find work, they may be relegated to unpaid day habilitation services or disengagement from the community.
