February 1, 2024 | Issue 53

Governor Murphy signs law allowing for Presumptive Eligibility for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services

Disability Rights New Jersey has long advocated for individuals to have the supports and services in their own home so that they do not have to be institutionalized in nursing homes.

On January 16th of this year, Governor Murphy signed legislation that will provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to receive those supports and services. Governor Murphy signed legislation that provides for presumptive eligibility for Medicaid home and community-based services for individuals who are likely to be financially and clinically eligible for Medicaid so that these individuals can receive services immediately while their Medicaid application is pending.

Without presumptive eligibility, many individuals who are hospitalized and awaiting Medicaid eligibility are unable to return to their homes as they are not able to pay for the supports and services that will allow them to return home. Instead, many in this situation end up going to a nursing home, which can provide medical services while Medicaid eligibility is pending and obtain reimbursement once eligibility is determined. With presumptive eligibility, home and community-based providers can begin offering services and supports that allow these individuals to return to their homes, where most individuals wish to be.

The law is conditional on the Department of Human Services obtaining federal approval, and it allows for a 30-month implementation timeframe in order for the Department of Human Services to seek and obtain the necessary federal approvals.

Disability Rights NJ will continue to monitor implementation of this important legislation and will keep you updated with further developments.

ATAC Update

US DOE Releases Guidance on Assistive Technology Use in K-12 Education

All students must have access to accessible learning experiences and assistive technology (AT) can provide the necessary supports that lead to academic success. The US DOE recently released a guidance document that highlights the myths and facts surrounding the use of assistive technology in K-12 education.

For many years, IEP teams have been required to consider whether a student needs assistive technology to successfully complete tasks. However, teams may not have the knowledge and expertise needed to make those connections. This document will provide this information along with some examples of successful uses of technology in education. Our classrooms have more technology available than ever before – but is that technology being used to level the academic playing field? Using built-in accessibility features such as text-to-speech can provide audio support throughout the reading process or using speech-to-text can enable a student to write using their voice.

According to the US DOE website, "Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services (PDF) is designed to increase understanding of the IDEA’s AT requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities and to highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA."

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center of Disability Rights NJ (ATAC) can provide additional support related to utilizing AT for student success. Reach out to our team today or visit our website at AT4NJ.org to learn more about what we can offer.

ATAC Partnership with ATIA Learning Center Continues in 2024

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center is pleased to continue its partnership with the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) to provide complimentary unlimited access to the ATIA Learning Center. The ATIA Learning Center offers a diverse collection of online courses in an accessible and easy to use format. Visit ATIA Learning page to learn more or to sign up.

Please note: This opportunity is only for NJ residents and those who work for NJ agencies.

More Disability News

Help improve the Medicaid renewal process by sharing your experience - Earn a $50 gift card

Are you running into challenges with the Medicaid renewal process? Or have you successfully renewed your Medicaid but not without headaches? Your voice can help drive positive change.

The not-for-profit organization U.S. Digital Response (USDR) is working to help make the Medicaid renewal process smoother for everyone, and would love to hear your story.

If you are interested in sharing your experience:

Please fill out this short survey (~4 min) and we will be in touch if you are selected.
The next step would be participating in a 60 minute remote video conversation about your Medicaid renewal experience, which will be recorded for research purposes.
Receive a thank you gift of $50 for your time.

Any information you provide will only be used for research purposes and will not be directly linked to you.

If you have any questions about the survey or your rights as a research participant, please email us at user-research@usdigitalresponse.org

Fill out the survey here: https://bj085thpo4f.typeform.com/to/jLimUf2D

Available in Spanish here.

HOW WE HELP

Disability Rights New Jersey, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to advancing and protecting the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities.

We aggressively investigate reports of abuse and neglect wherever a person with a disability may be receiving services.

We thoroughly monitor facilities and community-based programs to ensure that people living in those facilities and using those services are free from abuse and neglect, and that their rights are not violated.

We provide legal representation, without charge, to people with disabilities in cases that fall within our areas of assistance.

We are dedicated to providing education, training, and technical assistance to people with disabilities, their families and advocates, the agencies that service them, and policy makers among others.

We provide state-of-the-art access to information and advice about assistive technology.

Read Our Story

Disability Rights NJ is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services - Center for Mental Health Services; Administration for Community Living - Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Center for Integrated Programs, through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, U.S. Department of Education: Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Social Security Administration

DISABILITY RIGHTS New Jersey | disabilityrightsnj.org

210 South Broad Street, Third Floor

Trenton, New Jersey 08608

1.800.922.7233 (in NJ only) 1.609.292.9742 (Voice)

1.609.777.0187 (Fax) Dial 711 for Relay Operator