Opinion: N.J. Needs More Community-Based Care

In this year’s budget address, Gov. Chris Christie said, “New Jersey has the second-highest rate of institutionalization in America. ... This is a shameful fact. We must change. It’s long overdue. We must move aggressively to provide this type of care in the community.”
Staying true to his commitment, Gov. Christie committed more than $40 million in this year’s budget to programs and services to support moving individuals with developmental disabilities who live in institutions to community residences. Additionally, he signed legislation to create a Task Force on the Closure of State Developmental Centers and charged it with selecting one or more for closure. In late July, the task force issued its binding recommendation to close the North Jersey Developmental Center in Totowa and the Woodbridge Developmental Center within five years and move residents who are able to community-based options.