Our mission is to assure that individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New Jersey, and their families, participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of life through culturally competent programs.

The mission, according to the federal DD Act, is to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities.

The NJCDD Five-Year State Planning Goals for fiscal years (FY) 2022–2026 focus on three main goals.

• Advocacy
  • All New Jersey residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their family members, from an early age and throughout the lifespan, will have increased access to information in order to learn and strengthen the advocacy and leadership skills they need to be self-directed, manage supports and services, and engage as active citizens with control and choice over their own lives.
• Systems Change
  • All New Jersey residents with I/DD, their families, and stakeholders will have increased ability to improve the design and delivery of the services intended to support and benefit them.
• Capacity Building
  • All New Jersey residents with I/DD and their families will have increased information and support they need to access the services and supports they need to live, work, and learn in the community with independence.

Programs:

People First New Jersey
In 29 states in the US, as well as in Canada, the UK, Germany, New Zealand, Austria, Hong Kong, Japan, and Italy, self advocates have joined a grassroots movement organized and maintained entirely by individuals with disabilities, and dedicated solely to advancing the rights of citizens with disabilities across the globe. This International Movement is known as People First.

Regional Family Support Planning Councils
In accordance with the 1993 Family Support Act, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities established the Regional Family Support Planning Councils (RFSPCs). The RFSPSCs provide a venue for parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities to exchange knowledge and information about family support services.

Youth Leadership Program
The NJCDD’s Youth Leadership Program works with local groups and community-based organizations to provide leadership training for young people with developmental disabilities. Through attendance of eight fun and informative training sessions, young people with developmental disabilities develop skills to make them leading voices for themselves and other people with developmental disabilities.

Program participants:

• Learn to hone their advocacy skills
• Participate in team building exercises
• Develop public speaking skills
• Learn how government works

New Jersey Partners in PolicyMaking
New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is an 8-month leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over age 18) and family members available through collaboration between The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights New Jersey. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state.

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Health Services	Intellectual and Developmental Needs Advocacy Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Communication Disorders Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Learning Disabilities Special Needs
Language Spoken	Japanese
Areas Served	State-Wide

Last Updated: 02/27/25