PLANNED LIFETIME ASSISTANCE NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY
PO BOX 547, SOMERVILLE, NJ 088760547 www.plannj.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: PLAN NJ'S MISSION IS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, "WHO WILL CARE FOR MY LOVED ONE WHEN I'M GONE?" OUR STATEWIDE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVES PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL, PSYCHIATRIC AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. SEE PART III SECTION 4.

PLAN/NJ tailors services to fit the distinct needs of the individual with disabilities that we serve and to accommodate the wishes of their family members. When important life decisions are pendingsuch as where an individual should live, or regarding the provision of medical carewe offer compassionate and comprehensive care coordination, including individualized attention and professional expertise. Our key service areas include fiduciary support, future life planning and family support, care coordination, our pro bono services program, and educating families, providers and communities on legal, estate and independent living planning.I. FIDUCIARY SUPPORT PLAN/NJ follows a 'whole person' approach to ensure that a loved one is never without the support, comfort, enjoyment, and engagement in life that is their right. We have helped nearly 1000 families structure well-designed plans that ensure their loved ones receive the public benefits they are eligible for and that protect any additional funds in Special Needs Trusts to meet their complex needs and provide a good Life.A. Special Needs Trust Administration PLAN/NJ serves as trustee of Third Party and Self-Settled private, stand-alone Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). We also operate a Community Trust that pools funds for third party and self-settled sub-accounts. We work with attorneys and families to determine and administer the most suitable type of trust for a loved one's needs. On behalf of families and individuals with disabilities, our Trust Services department will perform the following duties: Oversee, monitor and invest client funds to maintain public benefits and improve quality of life Develop budgets and spending plans Pay bills according to trust document and government benefit rules Assist with applications and maintenance of public benefits and other social services Monitor medical bills and disbursements Produce financial accounting and reports as required by public benefits agencies, courts and legal representatives Communicate directly with trust beneficiaries and their representatives Advocate for personal needs and hire professionals to assist Guide families to review a directory of attorneys as needed Offer Spanish-speaking servicesB. Legal Guardianship The need for a legal guardian is determined by due process in courts of law. As Legal Guardian, PLAN/NJ will: Promote each individual's choice, self-determination, dignity and respect Visit at home at least once per month, and provide ongoing advocacy and case management Ensure quality of life in health, housing, education, employment, recreation, community living and other areas Take responsibility for surrogate decision-making Protect from fraud or undue influence Protect personal propertyWe prioritize supported decision-making to achieve the stated goals and help to ensure that individuals have the necessary supports while respecting their wishes and preferences. We serve when no family members are able to provide oversight in this capacity.C. Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits When an individual needs assistance with budgeting and bill paying, we manage their Social Security and other income to ensure financial solvency and protect them from potential financial exploitation. As a representative payee, PLAN/NJ will: Ensure that basic requirements are met for food, clothing and shelter Assist with budgeting and other regular financial management Monitor and assist with paying bills Submit required reports to the Social Security Administration and other governmental agencies II. FUTURE LIFE PLANNING AND FAMILY SUPPORT Many questions and concerns arise when families realize they will not always be around to advocate for their relative who is living with a disability or mental illness. PLAN/NJ works closely with individuals and families to design a comprehensive LifePLAN that addresses all aspects of life. This planning process defines roles and responsibilities for independent living, as well as necessary legal and financial supports. During the collaborative development of a LifePLAN document, several crucial questions asked by families are answered in-depth to ensure uninterrupted support. These include:1. Who will do for them the many things that we do now?2. How will they continue to receive the quality care and feel the life satisfaction they now enjoy at home, at school, at work and in their day program? 3. What do we need to put in place to ensure they remain financially comfortable?4. Will a Trustee and/or Representative Payee be needed to manage their financial responsibilities?5. Where will they live and with whom?6. Who will make sure they receive good healthcare and talk with medical professionals if they cannot?7. Who will arrange for them to practice their religious faith, observe their birthday and holidays, arrange for social/recreational activities, and ensure that they thrive?8. Who will consider and adhere to their preferences when making future life decisions? 9. Who will make sure the family's funeral traditions and wishes are carried out? 10. What else do they need to feel happy and secure?Once a LifePLAN is in place, our role is to coordinate and implement that plan according to the family's wishes, while keeping their loved one's needs and preferences at the forefront.III. CARE COORDINATION An important hallmark of PLAN/NJ services is our commitment to maintaining regular contact with those individuals with disabilities and mental illness who receive services from us. Our experienced service coordinators provide ongoing monitoring for people who have no living relatives or whose family members cannot make regular visits. We offer unwavering care coordination, crucial social engagement and personal support. We are the first to respond when crises or emergencies occur. We will function as the eyes and ears of distant relatives, make regular home and day program visits, and communicate with families after each visit. PLAN/NJ offers the following care coordination services:A. Case Management / Home Visit Monitoring / Advocacy Visit individuals in their homes, accompany clients to medical and other appointments and advocate on their behalf Coordinate the efforts of family members as they advocate for their loved ones Negotiate the disability and mental health service systems Advocate for appropriate services related to housing, employment, day programs, medical, financial, legal and other providers Organize private home health care, nursing home placements and hospice care Represent family concerns and assist in developing person-centered supports Assist with applications for public benefits and other social services Maintain contact during life transitions such as a change in housing or the loss of a parentB. Social Engagement Accompany individuals on outings, recreational activities, shopping trips Celebrate birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions Encourage clients to maintain relationships with family, friends and neighborsC. Personal Support and Emergency Response Act as first responder when the need for assistance arises Confirm their financial obligations are met and personal needs are addressed Increase personal contact with individuals when health or other crises occur Establish the supports necessary while encouraging as much independence as possible Maintain each individual's access to emergency or planned housing, education, food, medical, financial and other supports from the Social Security Administration, Medicaid, Division of Developmental Disabilities, housing authorities, and others Protect their safety and well-being during natural disastersIV. PRO BONO SERVICES: PROGRAM TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN/NJ responds to the needs of a small group of individuals who have no other available resources with our pro bono services program, Promoting Independent Living for Individuals with Disabilities. Supported in part by grants from generous foundations and donors, this program funds the vital services they need, which may include Guardianship, Home Visit Monitoring, Advocacy, Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits and/or Life Planning Consultation. Donations earmarked for this program help ensure more of the thousands of the individuals living with disabilities in New Jersey will benefit from our comprehensive care coordination. This support can truly make a difference in the life of an individual with significant disabilities, now and in the years to come.

V. EDUCATING FAMILIES, PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITIES PLAN/NJ collaborates with stakeholder agencies to increase awareness of the legal, estate and independent living planning needs of people with disabilities. These alliances help enable us to provide free seminars and workshops throughout the state. Family and community engagement activities that take place in-person or virtually are vital to help more people understand disability law, available public benefits, legal and financial protections, and care coordination. They reinforce families abilities to plan for the future of their loved one, put required services in place, honor their preferences, and help them thrive. Seminars and exhibits are held to convey the importance of legal, estate, and independent living planning to families about their loved ones who have disabilities. Target audiences include people with disabilities, family members, school and human services professionals, attorneys and other interested parties. Topics include:1. Using person-centered practices to promote self-determination for loved ones with disabilities 2. Planning legal, estate and independent living supports for the future care of people with disabilities, and learning why planning is important3. Helping vulnerable individuals protect and exercise their legal rights to medical, residential, education and employment services4. Maximizing private resources and public benefits to enhance decisions regarding housing and other quality of life components5. Utilizing Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) to improve quality of life while preserving access to essential public benefits6. Obtaining Guardianship and alternative legal protections like Powers of Attorney, Representative Payee, Trustee for Special Needs Trusts, and Psychiatric Advanced Directives.

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