August 29, 2003

New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Stakeholders' Forum: Final Report

The State of New Jersey has the challenging task of providing cost-effective, high-quality services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The inadequacies of the current system have been recognized, as has the necessity of conducting both long-term and short-term planning. To inform discussions to plan for system change in the provision of services to people in New Jersey with developmental disabilities and their families, the study sought to inform the public debate on the future of the developmental disabilities system by engaging stakeholders, who are key members of the developmental disabilities community recognized throughout the state as experts in various aspects of developmental disabilities issues. The 33 stakeholders who participated in the project were selected through a nomination and review process. They represent a broad group of interests, including advocacy groups, service providers, union employees, government agencies, families of people with developmental disabilities, and people with developmental disabilities.