Changes
to the DDD Waiting list for Residential Services
by
Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq. and S. Paul Prior, Esq.
Herbert D. Hinkle
Law Office
2651 Main Street
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
(609) 896-4200 or (215) 860-2100
In November 2001,
the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) changed how its waiting
list operates for residential services.
Currently, several
thousand people are on DDDâs waiting list, which is broken down
into three categories; "Urgent," "Non-Urgent,"
and "Services not requested at this time."
The Urgent category
is the only part of the waiting list that actually moves. Once on
the list, placement can take five years or longer. Under the old rule,
a person can be automatically placed in the Urgent category if both
parents are age 55 or older. A person can also be placed in the Urgent
category, regardless of the parentsâ age, based on the particular
needs of the child as well as the circumstances affecting the family.
The new rule changes
the name of the waiting list categories to "Priority," "Priority-Deferred,"
and "General." More significantly, the rule changes the
age requirement for automatic priority status from 55 to 60.
Parents under
age 60 can still have their child placed in the Priority category
when circumstances warrant.Ê Such circumstances include the
physical or emotional needs of the child, health and safety risks
to the child, and the ability of the parents to care for the child
or the presence of only one parent to care for the child.
The waiting list
procedure also retains the category of "emergency status."
This can result in immediate placement when there is an imminent risk
of harm or homelessness.
Copyright 2002
H.D. Hinkle. All rights reserved.
Mr. Hinkle maintains
a multi-state law practice with offices in Lawrenceville, Florham
Park, and Marlton, NJ, and Yardley, Pa. Mr. Hinkle and his colleagues
Ira Fingles, and Paul Prior lecture and write frequently on topics
of law, aging, and disability, and are available
to speak to groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
at no charge. Call (609) 896-4200.
