For the last 75 years, The Arc of NJ has served as the premier advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We knew heading into this year's budget cycle that we would be facing a tighter and less generous scenario than we've encountered in the past. But that doesn't deter us. We took on the fight. And the successes we achieved this year, to increase funds for services and supports that people with IDD depend on, the credit for those successes can be traced directly back to you. Our organization, and our advocacy work, is only as strong as the self-advocates, families, and members who get involved and make their voice heard. The grassroots turns up the volume on the work we do and so we grateful to everyone who joined our fight, and who helped our cause.

Thomas Baffuto - Executive Director, The Arc of NJ

FY25 Budget Details:

• $7.5 million in state dollars, which would receive a federal match via Medicaid, for the Division of Developmental Disabilities fee-for-service rates. Exact details around this are still being finalized. Increasing the rates was among the items we advocated and pushed for this year and so we are pleased to see that even in a difficult budget year, the Legislature decided to add funds to reinforce the work of our service delivery system. 
• $1.25 million to increase Family Support Services, specifically the day and overnight camp reimbursement rates for children with IDD within the Children’s System of Care in the Department of Children and Families. We asked lawmakers to include $2.2 million to bring DCF camp rates on par with that paid by the Department of Human Services and so this appropriation is a little more than 50% of what we were requesting. The Arc of NJ was the only disability group who went out this year on a campaign to increase camp rates. And so while we did not receive the full request, this funding will definitely help close the gap between the adult camp rates and the camp rates for children with IDD.
• $20.9 million to maintain the Direct Support Professional wage increase that went into effect on January 1, 2024. These dollars were necessary to annualize the FY24 DSP wage increase as it began half way through the fiscal year. This will ensure its continuation for the final 6 months of the calendar year. 
• Funding to move 400 people off the Waiting List
• $5.25 million to phase in an increase of new mandatory training for Direct Support Professionals (DHS)
• $31.8 million, for a total of $67.8 million, (within DHS) for the WorkAbility program expansion. (Workability allows people with disabilities to continue their Medicaid benefits as their income and wealth rises, reducing barriers to employment),
• $7.3 million within the Department of Children and Families, to increase the amount of respite children can receive. More respite hours is among the things we’ve advocated for as we know additional hours would help families as they support children with IDD. 

We recently updated our fact sheet: Your Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Guide: Where do you begin? Download the new one below!