Medicaid is a crucial program that provides health coverage to eligible individuals, including those with disabilities. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Eligibility Requirements: Medicaid eligibility is based on income, disability status, and other factors.
2. Application Process: Apply for Medicaid through your local county welfare office or online at the New Jersey Medicaid website.
3. Services Covered: Medicaid covers a wide range of services, including medical care, behavioral health services, and long-term supports.

At Heart to Heart, we also help families understand how to maintain Medicaid eligibility. People can lose Medicaid coverage due to changes in income, failure to complete renewal paperwork, or changes in disability status. To prevent this, we:

• Monitor Eligibility Requirements: Keeping track of any changes in income or status that might affect eligibility.
• Assist with Renewal Processes: Helping families complete necessary paperwork on time to avoid lapses in coverage.
• Provide Financial Management: Through our Representative Payee services, we ensure that bills are paid on time and budgets are managed effectively, preventing any disruptions in coverage due to financial mismanagement.
  
  

For assistance with Medicaid applications, understanding your benefits, or information about our Representative Payee services, please reach out to our team or visit the New Jersey Medicaid website.

The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides support and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you haven’t applied for DDD services yet, here are the steps to get started:

1. Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for DDD services, individuals must meet specific criteria related to their disability, age, and residency.
2. Application Process: Visit the DDD website to download and complete the application form. You will need to provide documentation of the individual’s disability and other relevant information.
3. Support Coordination: Once approved, a support coordinator will work with you to develop an individualized service plan (ISP) that outlines the services and supports needed.

For detailed information and assistance with the application process, please contact us or visit the DDD website.

Self-direction empowers families to take charge of the supports and services their loved ones receive. This approach allows families to choose their own support staff, manage budgets, and create individualized plans with the support of Heart to Heart’s resources. Here’s how self-direction works:

1. Assessment: Collaborate with a support coordinator to evaluate the individual’s needs and develop a budget.
2. Hiring Staff: Heart to Heart assists families in recruiting, hiring, and training support staff, ensuring the best fit for their loved one.
   • Agency Resources: Due to the stringent DDD hiring policies, leveraging our extensive network and resources, we take care of the recruitment process, saving families the time and expense of advertising, interviewing, and vetting candidates.
3. Managing Services: Families oversee the daily care of their loved one, with comprehensive support from Heart to Heart as needed, including:
   • Respite Care: We provide respite services (based on availability), allowing families to take breaks or go on vacation with peace of mind.
   • Emergency Staffing: In case of emergencies, our team is ready to step in and provide necessary staffing support.
   • Person-Centered Care Plans: We help families create and implement personalized care plans tailored to their loved one’s needs and preferences.
   • Social Opportunities: Families and their loved ones are invited to Heart to Heart events, offering chances to socialize and connect with peers at one of our agency day program centers.
   • Additional Support: We offer various opportunities for families to engage in activities and resources that enhance their loved one’s quality of life.

The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) is an organization that sets standards for quality in services and supports for individuals with disabilities. At Heart to Heart, we are proud to be accredited by CQL, making us one of only three agencies in the entire state of New Jersey with this prestigious accreditation. Here’s what CQL accreditation means for you:

• Person-Centered Services: We focus on the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
• Quality Assurance: Our services are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet CQL’s rigorous standards.
• Continuous Improvement: We are committed to ongoing improvement in the quality of our services.

   

For more information about CQL and our accreditation, please visit the CQL website.

At Heart to Heart, we prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals with disabilities by using Ukeru, a revolutionary approach to crisis management. Ukeru is backed by decades of psychological based research, offering an alternative to coercive behavior techniques. Here’s how it works:

• Receiving Information through Actions: Ukeru is a system based on understanding the information communicated through an individual’s actions.
• Restraint-Free Program: It is the only restraint-free program that combines hands-on training, theoretical concepts, practical tools, and specialized equipment to safely manage and diffuse crises.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Ukeru’s innovative method incorporates a deep understanding of the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma and violence.
• Expert-Designed: Developed by direct care providers in consultation with clinicians in behavioral health, Ukeru ensures a compassionate and effective response to crises.

For more information about our Crisis Management Systems, please contact our support team.

Heart to Heart organizes a variety of community events and outings throughout the year to help individuals stay active, social, and connected. These experiences are designed to promote inclusion, friendship, and fun for the people we support.

Our events and outings give participants opportunities to explore their communities, build relationships, and experience new activities in a supportive environment.

Events include holiday celebrations, recreational outings, volunteer opportunities, and special themed gatherings across our Day Programs and Residential Services.

Individuals supported by Heart to Heart are encouraged to attend. Families and caregivers are often welcome to join certain events as well, helping to strengthen community connections.

Heart to Heart believes that being part of the community is an essential part of a fulfilling life. To stay up to date on upcoming events and special outings, join our mailing list for the latest news and invitations.