Bill Text: NJ S611 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes county-based centers for transition for young adults with developmental disabilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-17 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S611 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S611-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes county-based centers for transition for young adults with developmental disabilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act providing for the establishment of county-based centers for transition for young adults with developmental disabilities, and supplementing Title 40 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Many young adults with developmental disabilities do not realize their potential as full community members with maximum independence and productivity because the educational and related services to which they are entitled while in school end abruptly once they leave the secondary school system.
b. Young adults with developmental disabilities deserve the opportunity to successfully make a transition into meaningful adult work lives, and they can better do so with special guidance and support during this critical transition period.
c. A center that offers young adults with developmental disabilities special guidance and support, including the coordination of opportunities available from service providers, educational institutions, and the private sector during this transition period will enable these young adults to more successfully make the transition into independent, productive, and meaningful adulthood.
d. It is appropriate that the governing body of each county establish a county-based center for transition for young adults with developmental disabilities, to assist them in utilizing the county's existing services, programs, and resources.
2. a. The governing body of a county, by resolution or ordinance, as appropriate, shall: (1) establish a county-based center for transition for developmentally disabled young adults up to the age of 24 to experience a more successful transition from secondary school to adult employment; and (2) appoint a person qualified by training and experience to direct and administer the adult center for transition.
b. The county shall establish the center for transition by coordinating and integrating existing county-based services, programs, and resources.
c. Each center for transition for young adults shall ensure that young adults with developmental disabilities receive mentoring, job coaching, skill training, or any other appropriate wrap-around services to help them make a successful transition into adult work life.
d. The county governing body may receive and expend moneys from the State and federal governments or private individuals, corporations, or associations to meet the expenses of the county-based center for transition.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires that each county establish a county-based center for transition for young adults with developmental disabilities. Many young adults with developmental disabilities are not able to realize their full potential as working adults because the educational and related services to which they are entitled during their school years end abruptly once they leave the secondary school system.
Gloucester County recently established the Adult Center for Transition, which works closely with the Gloucester County Office of Disability Services to facilitate linkages and referrals to agencies, organizations, and educational and training opportunities in order to assist young adults with disabilities successfully transition to adult life. Services include assessment, assistance and referrals for post-secondary opportunities in the county, including educational and employment-related opportunities.
In order to establish similar centers for transitions in the other counties, the bill provides as follows:
· The governing body of a county shall establish a county-based adult center for transition to assist developmentally disabled young adult residents up to the age of 24;
· The governing body of a county shall appoint a person qualified by training and experience to direct the center;
· The county shall establish the transition center by coordinating and integrating existing county-based services, programs, and resources;
· Each center shall ensure that young adults with developmental disabilities receive mentoring, job coaching, skill training, or any other appropriate wrap-around services to help achieve a successful transition into adult work life; and
· The county governing body may receive and expend moneys from the State and federal governments or private individuals, corporations, or associations to meet the expenses of the center.
It is the intent of this bill that these centers for transition ensure that young adults with developmental disabilities receive the special guidance and supports needed during this critical transition period from school life to a work life of maximum independence and productivity. Since each county has a unique set of services, programs and resources, the bill leaves it to each county to establish its center based on the most effective use of those services, programs, and resources.
