Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey Inc

In the next three to five years, we intend to expand our commitment to the mission and vision by continuously improving quality while growing as quickly as possible in order to gain scale, raising revenue in order to accomplish this. We intend to meet the following goals and objectives:

I. Growth and Sustainability – Develop the infrastructure to support the capacity for a growing client base and increase that base by 25% annually , meeting objectives in the areas of client services, finances, business development, and facilities and operations.

II. Quality Assurance – Continuously improve quality services that prioritize client, family needs and organizational mission and objectives, meeting objectives in the areas of setting standards, and continuous inquiry and improvement.

III. Governance – Increase the capacity of the Board of Directors to lead PLAN|NJ, meeting objectives in the areas of agency guidance, and efficient, effective systems.

PLAN|NJ's strategy for alignment with The 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being is to offer vital services to people with disabilities and their families that enhance their independence and help them thrive. Our model of high-quality, individualized assistance ensures access to an uninterrupted continuum of services and resources. We will support each person’s optimal health and well-being all their lives.

PLAN|NJ guides families through the design of a comprehensive future plan – a LifePLAN — for a relative with mental challenges or with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities. This plan encompasses the legal, financial, home and community supports that are required to help their loved one thrive. It tells a holistic story of the individual, their support needs and preferences, housing and employment recommendations, interests, activities, hopes and wishes for the future, and those their families have for them. The document is updated regularly as needs and circumstances change to give future caregivers a full and up–to-date understanding. We also consult with siblings and other caregivers to improve their capacity to advocate.

PLAN|NJ staff can serve as an individual’s Legal Guardian and be responsible for surrogate decision-making on their behalf, while promoting their choice and self-determination, dignity and respect. We provide Case Management services, including a minimum of one monthly in-home visit. We ensure their quality of life is upheld and advocated for in areas of health, housing, education, employment, recreation and community living.

PLAN|NJ visits individuals at home and in person, regularly and consistently, to assess their needs and desires. We may accompany them on a daily activity such as grocery shopping, or drive them to visit the doctor. We may provide more in-depth support, such as when they need to navigate the complex disability and mental health service systems, or when they need an advocate for health care, housing, school or work.

If an individual is already receiving a PLAN|NJ service, they can also have PLAN|NJ serve as a Representative Payee for Social Security benefits. We can assist with eligibility and benefits issues, ensuring personal needs and financial obligations are met.

We can serve in a fiduciary role, providing oversight and monitoring of a Special Needs Trust or the pooled PLAN|NJ Community Trust to help families apply for and preserve Medicaid, Social Security, and other public benefits. We regularly communicate with the beneficiary of the trust, or a family member or representative, to determine what is needed to support quality life, and we administer funds from the trust to supplement public benefits. We help develop budgets and spending plans, provide financial accounting and reporting to public benefits agencies, and provide referrals to attorneys or financial planners when needed.

Our organization has steadily progressed since its inception. Records indicate that since 2005, we have achieved the following growth:

1. Protected private resources while maintaining public benefits; served as Trustee from 74 to now 580 Private and Pooled Special Needs Trusts to maintain quality of life for individuals with disabilities
2. Advocated for 30 to now 57 clients through monthly home visits, connecting with them and assessing their wellbeing, resolving concerns with service providers and governmental agencies
3. Protected from 20 to now 38 Guardian clients, visiting at least monthly and promoting their self-determination and supported decision making with choice, dignity, and respect
4. Wrote and placed on file on file for future advocacy and/or Guardianship services from 86 to now 321 Life Plans describing individual’s preferences and needs, and the people and resources necessary to maintain a good life
5. Reached over 10,000 families, professionals and individuals with disabilities with educational seminars, exhibits, materials communicating the need for legal and estate planning for people with disabilities.