Community Blueprint Workgroups

Executive Summary of Stages

  • Stage 1: Virtual Conversation (June 2025): Families and stakeholders shared experiences and concerns about safety and quality in licensed residential settings, inspired by the “Hidden at Home” investigative series.
  • Stage 2: Draft Community Blueprint (July 2025): A draft Blueprint was created, outlining reforms and responsibilities for State Government, Provider Agencies, Frontline Staff, and Families/Guardians, with added focus on technology and advocacy.
  • Stage 3: Community Voices & Vision (September – November 2025): Stakeholders participated in a full-day session to provide feedback on the draft Blueprint. In November 2025, a Blueprint Memo was submitted to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill.
  • Stage 4: Workgroups and Timelines (December 2025 – Current): Efforts are now focused on establishing seven workgroups and advancing the goals identified in earlier stages.

Stage 1: Virtual conversation: Ensuring Safety & Thriving Lives in Licensed Settings

On June 30, 2025, following the “Hidden at Home” investigative news series that revealed flaws in New Jersey’s licensed residential settings for adults with I/DD, the Regional Family Support Planning Councils, the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Office of the Ombudsman hosted a listening session, Virtual conversation: Ensuring Safety & Thriving Lives in Licensed Settings. Families and stakeholders shared what’s working, what’s not, and how to ensure loved ones are safe, supported, and thriving.

This dialogue elevated family voices and explored how the community can move forward to achieve safety and high-quality care in licensed residences.

Stage 2: A Community Blueprint for Safe, High-quality Licensed Residences

As a result of the conversation, a draft Community Blueprint for Safe, High-Quality Licensed Residences was developed. This blueprint outlines key roles and responsibilities, as well as necessary reforms, across four stakeholder groups: State Government, Provider Agencies, Frontline Staff, and Family Members/Guardians. It also includes broader areas such as the use of technology and additional advocacy areas.

Stage 3: Community Voices & Vision: Next steps in the Blueprint for Safe, High-Quality Residences

On September 17, 2025, community stakeholders joined a full-day virtual event, Community Voices & Vision: Next steps in the Blueprint for Safe, High-Quality Residences, to share their feedback and comments on the draft Community Blueprint. The session provided an opportunity to share feedback on the draft Community Blueprint and was organized into five focused discussions covering key reform areas: State Government, Provider Agencies, Frontline Staff, Family Members/Guardians, and Technology.

November 2025, the Blueprint Memo to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill was submitted to her and her transition team.

Stage 4: Workgroups and Timelines for Community Collaboration

In December 2025, we began the process of establishing seven workgroups and a timeline supporting each one as they advance the goals and objectives identified in earlier stages.

The seven workgroups are:

  • Abuse/Neglect: Investigations (Process, Oversight, & Enforcement)
  • Individual/Family/Guardian Partnership, Advocacy, & Rights
  • Workforce Development & Frontline Supports
  • Support Coordinator Role & Responsibility
  • Provider Accountability, Licensing, & Compliance
  • Policy Reform & Legislative Action
  • Systems Transformation & Technology Integration

Within 30 days of sign-ups closing, the initial workgroup meeting will be scheduled. The initial meeting will

  • Review focus areas
  • Determine any high-level priorities
  • Set up frequency of meetings
  • Create sub-groups as warranted
  • Determine meeting format In-person/virtual or a combination
Workgroup Objectives
Workgroup Timeline
Sign Up Link

Join us! How you can get involved and be part of the change: 

Individuals with disabilities, families, guardians, Direct Support Professionals, Self-Directed Employees, Support Coordinators, Care Managers, service providers, state government staff, and all who care about these critical issues are welcome and strongly encouraged to join us.

For questions, please contact:

Kyoko Coco: Kyoko.Coco@njcdd.org

Virtual conversation: Ensuring Safety & Thriving Lives in Licensed Settings

In light of the “Hidden at Home” investigative news series, which exposed critical flaws in New Jersey’s licensed residential settings for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), we invite all stakeholders, particularly parents and other family members, to share their experiences. What’s working? What’s not working? How can we ensure our loved ones are safe, supported, and thriving?

This conversation aims to elevate the voices of families and drive meaningful change. Specifically, we want to learn your thoughts about how we – as a community – should move forward.

A Community Blueprint for Safe, High-quality Licensed Residences

On June 30, 2025, the Regional Family Support Planning Councils’ Health and Safety Subcommittee, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Health and Wellness Subcommittee, and the Office of the New Jersey Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families co-hosted a listening session to hear directly from stakeholders about the successes, challenges, and ideas for improving safety and high-quality care in licensed residential settings.

As a result of the conversation, a draft Community Blueprint for Safe, High-Quality Licensed Residences was developed. This blueprint outlines key roles and responsibilities, as well as necessary reforms, across four stakeholder groups—State Government, Provider Agencies, Frontline Staff, and Family Members/Guardians—and includes broader areas like the use of technology and additional advocacy areas.

We invite you to review the draft Community Blueprint and share your feedback to help shape the path forward:

Download the Community Blueprint Flyer
Access the Survey