Fight 4 Autism


Johanna G. Burke, Esq. LLC

Founder/Fight4Autism
The Law Offices of Johanna G. Burke, Esq.

www.jgburkelaw.com
58 Union Street

Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(973) 907-6231
johannaburke@fight4autism.org 

johannaburke@jgburkelaw.com
www.fight4autism.org

Johanna Burke is a 53 year old loving mother of two boys, Aidan, who is 19 years old and has severe autism, and Dailey, who is 17 years old. Johanna is a licensed attorney in New Jersey. She is a graduate of Seton Hall law School in Newark, New Jersey and obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting from Montclair State University, New Jersey. Johanna lives in northern New Jersey with her 2 children ad her loving husband Frank Casillo. She is the Founder of Fight 4 Autism. Please check out her legal website www.jgburkelaw.com to Meet Johanna and read Aidan's Story.


DCF Psychological Services, LLC


Lindsay Solotruk, Psy.D.MA
Licensed Psychologist
NJ Certified Psychologist
769 Susquehanna Avenue
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
dcfpsych@gmail.com
phone: 201 891-8154
fax: 201 891-3207

Robyn Merkel-Walsh MA, CCC-SLP
Licensed Speech Pathologist
Talk Tools Instructor
Oral Motor Institute, Acting Chair
www.talktools.com
Specializing in OPT, Feeding, Myofunctional and PROMPT   
NJ Kids' Top Doctors 2012 /2013/2014 :-) 
480 Bergen Blvd. Suite 3
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
201-945-6200 (tel)
201-945-6201 (fax)
www.robynmerkelwalsh.com


NJ State Agencies

Early Intervention System (EIS)

The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, implements New Jersey's statewide system of services for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Department of Health (DOH) is appointed by the Governor as the state lead agency for the Early Intervention System.  
50 East State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
Tel: 609-777-7734 (MAIN); 888-653-4463 (Referral Line)
Website: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml


Department of Children and Families (DCF)

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state’s comprehensive agency dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being and success of children, youth, families and communities. Through its Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC), DCF provides support services for all children and youth with developmental disabilities up to age 21.


Key Staff:  Dr. Allison Blake, Commissioner
P.O. Box 729
Trenton, NJ 08625-0729
Phone: 1-855-INFO-DCF (1-855-463-6323)
Website:  http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/


Division of Children's System of Care (CSOC)

DCF’s Division of Children's System of Care (CSOC) serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health care challenges and their families. As a result of a 2013 transition of developmental disability services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to DCF, DCF serves all eligible children and youth up to age 21 through its Family Support program.


Key Staff:  Elizabeth Manley, Director
50 East State Street, 4th floor
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ  08625-0717
Phone: 609-888-7200
Website:  http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/csc/
Email:  dcf_cbh@dcf.state.nj.us
New Jersey Department of Children and Families' Division of Children's System of Care (CSOC) is responsible for determining eligibility for developmental disability services for all children and youth under age 18, and for providing the services for all children and youth under age 21. Eligibility for youth ages 18-21 is determined by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). All requests for support services for eligible individuals under 21 are directed to PerformCare.


PerformCare

PerformCare is the administrative services organization and the single point of entry for all requests for eligibility and services through CSOC. PerformCare arranges needs assessments and facilitates the delivery of family support services. Services include funding for respite and camp, in-home behavioral support, assistive technology devices, and home and vehicle modifications. In addition, placement in residential treatment or group homes may be provided when a child's needs cannot be met in the community.
Application materials, a list of frequently asked questions, fact sheets about Family Support Services and other information are available on PerformCare’s website. For new applications, or to request services for an eligible individual, contact PerformCare at 877-652-7624.
PerformCare is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   
300 Horizon Drive Suite 306
Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1919
Phone:  877-652-7624
Website:  http://performcarenj.org/families/disability/index.aspx 
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Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

OSEP, within the Division of Student Services, has oversight responsibilities for the provision of education and related support services to students aged 3 to 21 with disabilities.  The Office implements state and federal laws and regulations governing special education to ensure that pupils with disabilities in New Jersey receive full educational opportunities. 


Key Staff:  Dr. Peggy McDonald, Director
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Tel: 609-292-0147
Fax: 609-984-8422
Website: www.nj.gov/njded/specialed


Department of Human Services (DHS)

The largest department in New Jersey state government, DHS serves 1.5 million New Jerseyans, or about one of every six state residents.  DHS provides support services for people with disabilities and their families, as well as programs for mental health consumers, protective services for children, the New Jersey Medicaid program, food stamps, child care, financial assistance, and adoption.


Key Staff:  Elizabeth Connolly, Acting Commissioner
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 609-292-3717
Fax: 609-292-3824
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices


Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

DDD arranges and coordinates needed services to eligible New Jersey residents age 21 and up who have developmental disabilities. The Division also determines eligibility for Children's System of Care (CSOC) family support services for individuals ages 18-21. DDD's mission is to assist people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. DDD serves individuals who live at home with their families, as well as individuals who are in living arrangements funded and licensed by DDD. These arrangements are operated by either private agencies or individuals under contract with DDD. DDD also operates developmental centers statewide.

Among the services DDD provides are case management, guardianship, guidance to parents in becoming legal guardians of their adult children, family support, residential services, day programs, and supported employment services. Most of these services are provided through contracts with private organizations or individual contractors. DDD provides services to Medicaid-eligible individuals through the Supports Program and administers the Community Care Waiver (CCW) within Medicaid for the State of New Jersey. 


Key Staff:  Elizabeth M. Shea, DDD Assistant Commissioner

PO Box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625-0726
Tel: 800-832-9173 (toll free) or 609-987-0800
Fax: 609-987-2070
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd

There are nine Community Service Offices serving the 21 counties throughout NJ. 
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Division of Disability Services (DDS)

The Division of Disability Services (DDS) focuses on serving people who have become disabled as adults, whether through illness or injury. Through its toll free hotline -- 1-888-285-3036 -- DDS responds to as many as 15,000 requests each year for Information and Referral Assistance on issues affecting people with any type of disability in the State of New Jersey.  And, as one of its primary services, DDS publishes New Jersey Resources 2012, a comprehensive guide about services across New Jersey for people with disabilities. This directory is updated annually.


Key Staff:  Joseph Amoroso, Director
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 888-285-3036 (toll free) or 609-292-7800
Fax: 609-292-1233
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds
________________

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)

DVRS is responsible for training and placement of persons of employable age with disabilities. The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is here to help individuals with disabilities that are having trouble finding or holding a job because of their disability. If you have a disability that is preventing you from working, or which is endangering your present employment, you may wish to submit a referral for services.


Key Staff:  Alice Hunnicutt, Director

PO Box 398
Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
Tel: 609-292-5987
Fax: 609-292-8347
Website: http://jobs4jersey.com/jobs4jersey/jobseekers/disable/index.html