Developmental Disability Services in NJ: Community Supports, Employment and DDD Services
Updated: Oct 8
At Friendly Connections, we provide developmental disability services throughout all 21 New Jersey counties. Our work is built around relationships, inclusion, independence, and quality of life. We work with individuals, families, and support coordinators to help turn authorized services into practical support that fits everyday life.
Community-based disability services across New Jersey
Our NJ DDD programs include Community Based Supports, Individual Supports, and Community Inclusion Services. Depending on the person’s plan and goals, support may involve practicing everyday skills, spending time in the community, building relationships, attending appointments, shopping, recreation, transportation, communication, or other individualized activities.
Supported employment and career services
We also provide Supported Employment, Career Planning, and Pre-Vocational Training. If employment is one of the person’s goals, we can discuss what is authorized in the plan, what type of support may be appropriate, and how our team can coordinate with the person and support coordinator.
Therapies and related services
Our DDD-related services also include Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Physical Therapy. Our mental-health division is separate and offers outpatient individual psychotherapy in Matawan for members of the public. Because these are different service areas, families should ask which program applies to the support they are seeking.
What families and support coordinators should ask
A provider may offer the right service on paper but still need to be a good practical match. We encourage families and support coordinators to ask about current county coverage, staffing availability, schedules, transportation expectations, communication, and what the service will actually look like during a normal week.
Can someone the person already knows be hired as a DSP?
In some situations, Friendly Connections can hire a qualifying friend or family member as a Direct Support Professional. That can allow the person to receive support from someone they already know and trust while Friendly Connections handles the employment, training, documentation, and supervision responsibilities required of the provider agency.
Statewide service does not mean every opening is identical
Friendly Connections serves all 21 New Jersey counties, but current staffing and availability can vary by service, county, town, schedule, and the needs identified in the person’s plan. Contacting our team directly is the best way to discuss a specific situation rather than assuming every service is immediately available everywhere.
How to get started
Families and support coordinators can contact Friendly Connections to discuss the person’s goals, location, authorized services, scheduling needs, and current availability. You can also review our statewide programs at friendlyconnections.net/services.
Friendly Connections provides community-based disability services throughout New Jersey and works with people, families, and support coordinators to build supports around real-life goals rather than one-size-fits-all programming.
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