PERMANENT COMMITTEES

NJACP Executive Board

Chair:  Ray Fantuzzi 

The Executive Committee is a permanent committee of the NJACP Board.  Membership is comprised of the NJACP Officers and Chairs of the four NJACP permanent committees (Member Resources, Program Services, Legislative & Policy and Public Relations).  The Executive Committee has the authority to act in the absence of the NJACP Board. The Executive Committee has the authority to establish its own annual calendar.  Typically, the Executive Committee meets quarterly.

More more information please email Ray at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

NJACP Board of Directors
The board is comprised of 20 members, serve 3 year terms and elected by the NJACP membership.

 Legislative & Policy Committee

Chair:  Genie Drobit, Quality Management Associates 

The purpose of the NJACP Legislative & Policy Committee is to educate key system partners on the effects of proposed legislation, and other venues of public policy, on the lives of consumers with developmental disabilities and brain injuries, families and the community based system that provides necessary supports and services.

The Legislative & Policy Committee reviews, evaluates and advises the NJACP Board of Directors and key professional staff with regard to state and federal policies, pending legislation and the rules, regulations and procedures of executive agencies of the state and federal governments that are pertinent to community provider agencies serving people with developmental disabilities and people with brain injuries.

he Legislative & Policy Committee’s evaluation and review enables the NJACP to establish positions on matters of concern like pending legislation and to develop and execute action by the NJACP to communicate with government decision makers to positively affect the decisions they make concerning provider agencies.

For more information, please e-mail her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Member Resources

Chair:  Mary Norris 

The purpose of the NJACP Member Resources Committee is to ensure NJACP’s value to its members through evaluating current member services and developing of new benefits.

The NJACP Member Resources Committee seeks to recruit new NJACP members, retain current members, assists in orienting new member agencies to association membership and manages major association events.

The Members Resources committee reviews membership applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the suitability of applicants for membership.

The committee presents workshops on important issues, organizes and conducts the annual NJACP Conference and the annual NJACP Stars Dinner, and oversees the selection of annual NJACP Leadership Award candidates.

The Member Resources Committee also promotes members’ communications, industry best practices and positive recognition of agency staff and of people with developmental disabilities.

For further information on this committee, please email Mary Norris at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  .

Program Services

Chair:  Julie Tatti, DPD – Diocese of Paterson

The purpose of the Program Service Committee of NJACP is to enhance the quality of member agency programs, supports and services by focusing on current issues that impact the provision of supports and services. 

Serving on this committee provides individual members an excellent opportunity to share “best practice” in providing quality services and supports.

The primary focus of the committee this year is Division Circular #35 “Service Plan” formerly known as the IHP Circular.  The Service plan is a key document in the provision of services and supports as well as in meeting regulatory requirements.  Since the implementation of the revised Circular #35 on March 1, 2006 new requirements must be met by provider agencies.  The committee will help support member agencies in meeting these new requirements by:

• Completing an additional training module for the IHP Training Curriculum which will help Plan Coordinators write effective goals and objectives based on an individual’s life plan, and health and safety issues.

• Advocating for a Service Plan document that reflects the requirements of the circular and truly identifies the outcomes that will meet the personal goals and objectives of each person.
   

• To research effective Risk Assessment tools and to recommend effective tools to member agencies and to DDD.

The membership of the committee consists of NJACP member agency representatives.  When a particular project requires linkage to other groups, representation from that group will be requested by the committee chair.  Currently two representatives from DDD Quality Improvement Committee are serving on the committee.

The committee meets once a month at the Boggs Center in New Brunswick at 10 AM on the fourth Friday of the month.

For more information, please email Julie Tatti at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Public Relations Committee

Chair:  Karen Elliott, Occupational Training Center

The purpose of the NJACP Public Relations Committee is to increase public awareness of the work of the NJACP and of the vital role of community provider agencies in serving people with developmental disabilities and the greater community of New Jersey.

The Public Relations Committee publicizes events of interest and concern to the NJACP and its members, seeks proactive ways to publicize NJACP positions on industry-wide issues, trends and matters of concern like policy, legislation and administrative oversight and regulation and provides assistance and guidance to member agencies on ways to manage and improve their own public relations efforts.

The Public Relations Committee also produces public relations tools and technical assistance to assist the Association and its members. These include an NJACP Media Handbook that gives members a manual of public relations guidance and news release templates, a new member information packet and the NJACP website.

For further information on this committee, please email at  Karen Elliott  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

  
STANDING COMMITTEES 

 NJACP Finance Committee 

Chair:  Julie Tatti: DPD Dicoese of Paterson

This is a committee of the NJACP Board.  The purpose of the committee is to ensure the fiscal integrity of the organization, maintain fiscal accountability to our members and promote financial stability and soundness.  This committee makes recommendations to the NJACP Board for the approval of the annual NJACP budget, oversees the implementation of the NJACP investment plan and monitors the NJACP preferred vendors program.  The Finance Committee also oversees the annual independent audit.  Membership on this committee is established by the NJACP Board.

For further information, please email Julie Tatti  Julie @dpd.org 

NJACP Nominations Committee 

Chair:  Deborah Good: Delta Community Supports 

This is a standing committee of the NJACP Board.  This committee is established by the NJACP President to propose a slate of Officers and Directors to fill all available positions.  The Chair of this committee is the Immediate Past President.

For further information please email Deborha Good at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NJACP By-Laws Committee 

Chair:  Sharon Copeland, Enable Inc. or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

This is a standing committee of the NJACP Board.  The purpose of the committee is to revise the NJACP bylaws as needed.  The Chair of this committee is the NJACP Vice President.

For further information pleas email Shron Copeland Copeland at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

NJACP Human Resources Work Group 

Chair:  Cheryl Blake 

This is a work group of NJACP.  The purpose of this group is to be a resource for staff within NJACP member agencies who are involved in and responsible for the human resources function.  It meets every other month.  The committee will be seeking input regarding the human resources implications of licensing standards and regulations, sharing HR resources, exchanging information, identifying “hot button” HR issues, and sharing training resources. Any NJACP member can join this group.

If interested in joining the group or if you have any questions please contact Cherly Blake email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Contracted Services 

Chair: Sharon Copeland 

This is a joint NJACP and CEARC (Council of Executives of the ARC) committee that meets monthly with the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to advocate for systems changes, public policy issues and funding issues that affect services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  NJACP has seven members on this committee who are appointed through the NJACP President.  NJACP members are represented through NJACP’s seat on this committee. 

For further information on this committee, please email scope This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

NJACP Information Technology (IT) Advisory Committee 

Chair:  Joanna Miller, Diocese of Paterson

This is a joint NJACP and DDD committee focused on the technological needs of the NJACP membership and the Division of Developmental Disabilities in capturing relevant federally mandated data about services.  It also provides an arena for committee members to network and troubleshoot technological problems.  Committee members will be kept informed of the latest technology trends in this service sector which will help shape the Division’s future technological system. 

If interested in becoming a member of this committee or for further information, please email Joanna Miller at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or Kim Todd  email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Facilities Committee 

Chair: TBD

This is a standing committee of the NJACP Board.  The purpose of this committee is to address the facility needs of NJACP.  Membership on this committee is open to all NJACP members.  For more information on this committee, please contact TBD

Licensing Committee 

Chair: Maureen Walsh

This is a joint NJACP and Council of Executives of the ARC (CEARC).  It meets every other month with the Department of Human Services officials within the Office of Licensing and Inspections.  The purpose of the committee is to discuss issues and concerns regarding the implementation of licensing standards for community residences.  Membership on this committee is through appointment by the NJACP Board President.  NJACP members are represented through the chair and the other NJACP committee representatives. 

For further information please email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dialogue with the Division 

Chair:  Assistant Commissioner of Division of Developmental Disabilities 

This is a DDD committee established to promote communication to the Division’s major stakeholders about current happenings and future plans within the Division regarding services, initiatives, public policies and funding.  NJACP members are represented through NJACP’s seat on this committee. 

For further information or to provide input to this committee, NJACP members should email contact  at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

  
Quality Management Advisory Committee 

Chair:  Assistant Division of Developmental Disabilities

This is a feedback committee about the Division’s quality system, in particular, how it relates to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) systems change grant to the Division.  This committee meets quarterly.  NJACP members can gain input to this committee through NJACP’s seat on this committee.

For additional information, please contact the NJACP representative, Kim Todd, or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Cost of Providing Care Coalition 

Chair:  TBD

This is a joint coalition of New Jersey associations whose members contract with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).  This is a time limited coalition with the sole purpose of achieving annual increases for agencies contracting with DHS and DCF.  NJACP members have input to this coalition and will be called upon for grassroots efforts to get legislation passed to accomplish these annual contract increases. 

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact the NJACP representative, Kim Todd email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

DD Policies and Procedures Committee 

Chair:  Keith Joslin

This is a Division of Developmental Disabilities committee that meets every other week.  The group looks at revisions to existing and drafts of new Division circulars.  The NJACP membership has input into the Division Circulars through the NJACP’s seat on this committee. 

For further information please contact the NJACP representative, email Mary Burke, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Stephanie Wilson  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

  
The New Jersey Direct Support Professional Workforce Development  

Chair:  William Gaventa, Boggs Center

This is a coalition of many partners in the developmental disabilities community.  The purpose of the Coalition is to increase recruitment and retention and decrease turnover and vacancies rates of staff working in this industry.  Typically this committee meets quarterly.  It also has sponsored forums and has submitted grants to begin a statewide career ladder.  NJACP members are represented through our seat on the steering committee, although anyone with a strong interest in this area is encouraged to join either the steering committee or any of the subcommittee. 

If interested in more information please contact Mary Norris at 732.549.6187 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Circle of Support
Co-Chairs: Kim Todd, NJACP
                     Patti Scott, Neighbours

As we move forward with the implementation of the Olmstead Plan and addressing the needs of people on the Community Services Waiting List through a unified process, NJACP would like to offer the opportunity for a working group to explore and share information as we implement a continuous quality improvement process to share our strengths and challenges. Please contact Maureen Shea at 609-406-1400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in participating.