NJCDD Members & Staff
Council Members
Council members review the state’s service systems for people with developmental disabilities and advise policy makers on the best ways to change those systems to better serve the population. Members also review and award grants to spark innovative projects throughout New Jersey as well as advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families on an ongoing basis.
Chair
Paul Blaustein, Edison, NJ
Family Member Advocate
Vice Chair
Kevin Nunez, Willingboro, NJ
Self-Advocate
Self Advocate Members
Todd Emmons, Voorhees, NJ
Andrew McGeady, Jackson, NJ
Myrta Rosa, Elizabeth, NJ
Gary Rubin, Elizabeth, NJ
Kevin Nunez, Willingboro, NJ
Immediate Family or Guardian Members
Ellie Byra, Flemington, NJ
Walter Fernandez, Barnegat, NJ
Safiyyah Muhammad, East Orange, NJ
Tara Montague, Burlington, NJ
Paul Blaustein, Edison, NJ
Margaret (Peg) Kinsell, Browns Mills, NJ
Elizabeth C. Dalzell, Haddonfield, NJ
Helen I. Steinberg, Plainsboro, NJ
Kara Kushnir, Pompton Lakes, NJ
Sarah Aziz CPA, Monroe Township, NJ
Federally Mandated Members
Federally mandated members of the Council serve in accordance with the federal Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights and Assistance Act.
A.) State Agency Representatives
NJ Department of Health Division of Family Health Services
Lisa Asare, Assistant Commissioner
Dawn Mergen, Designee
PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625
Email: dawn.mergen@doh.nj.gov
NJ Department of Education, Division of Student Services
Peggy McDonald, Assistant Commissioner
Kimberly Murray, Designee
PO Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625
Email: kimberly.murray@doe.nj.gov
NJ Department of Labor Div. of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Karen Carroll, Director
David Free, Designee
PO Box 398, Trenton, NJ 08625
Email: David.Free@dol.state.nj.us
NJ Department of Human Services Div. of Medical Assistance & Health Services
Meghan Davey, Director
Phyllis Napier Melendez, Designee
PO Box 712, Trenton, NJ 08625-0712
Email: phyllis.melendez@dhs.state.nj.us
Public Member
TBD
B.) ADD Funded Agencies
Protection and Advocacy System – Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)
Gwen Orlowski, Executive Director | Jill Hoegel (Designee)
210 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ 08608
Email: gorlowski@drnj.org
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service –
The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at Rutgers University
Joyce Jelley, Training & Consultation Specialist
Liberty Plaza, 335 George Street | New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Email: joyse.jelley@rutgers.edu
C.) State Statute Mandated Members
NJ Department of Human Services – Div. of Developmental Disabilities
Jonathan Seifried, Assistant Commissioner
PO Box 726, Trenton, NJ 08625-0726
Email: jonathan.seifried@dhs.state.nj.us
NJ Department of Human Services Division of Disability Services
Peri Nearon, MPA, Executive Director
Jacqueline Moskowitz, Designee
PO Box 705, Trenton, NJ 08625-0705
Email: peri.neron@dhs.state.nj.us
jacqueline.moskowitz@dhs.state.nj.us
Council Staff
Executive Director
Mercedes Witowsky
609-984-4509
mercedes.witowsky@njcdd.org
Administrative Assistant
Jacinta Williams
609-984-5444
jacinta.williams@njcdd.org
Coordinator of Regional Family Support Planning Councils
Kyoko Coco
609-341-3112
kyoko.coco@njcdd.org
Family Support Liaison
Rebekah Novemsky
609-984-4510
rebekah.novemsky@njcdd.org
Chief Fiscal Officer
Jodi Fox
609-292-5238
jodi.fox@njcdd.org
Public Policy Coordinator
Robert Titus
609-984-4511
robert.titus@njcdd.org
Receptionist
Gail Hodges
609-984-6138
gail.hodges@njcdd.org
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Frank Latham
609-292-3453
frank.latham@njcdd.org
Communication Officer
Gary L. Brown
609-633-8280
gary.brown@njcdd.org
Graphic Designer/ Web Administrator
Maria Ali
609-633-3782
maria.ali@njcdd.org