If my family member comes to a QMA home, what will it cost the family?
There is no cost to the family for our services. The cost of care is paid by the state with federal funds contributing a portion. Also a portion of the individual's social security benefits is used to offset room and board costs.
Can my family member live near me?
We strive to meet the strong desires of the individuals and their family members. If you live within our service area, the chances are good that we could find a home near you. Since your family member is most likely to live in a shared living situation, we do need to make decisions that are in the best interest of all of the people who are living together.
How many people live together in your homes?
We provide shared living homes for up to four people. Supported apartments are available for people who do not need full time staff supervision and they are suited for one or two people.
Would my family member have their own bedroom?
Yes! Everyone supported in a QMA residence is offered the respect and privacy of a private bedroom. An exception would be made for a couple who chose to room together.
Are the people you support in the community dangerous?
The people we support have usually been in state developmental centers because they have a disability and not because they did anything wrong. Sometimes people develop behaviors in the state centers that are challenging, but they do not cause a community safety concern. These behaviors usually subside after a person adjusts to their new home.
What are the visiting hours for the group home?
We do not have "visiting hours". Visits can occur at any time that is mutually agreeable. We encourage visiting and want it to be just like how we visit with our families and friends.
Are the staff people working in these homes qualified to be doing this work?
We meet or exceed the state qualifications for hiring staff. All staff have to complete a required state training series and in addition we provide regular and on-going training so each staff person is fully aware of the needs of the people they are supporting.
Who is supervising the group homes?
Each home is headed by a Manager who is the on-site supervisor of the staff who work there. There is also an Assistant Residential Director and Residential Director who provide direct oversight to the staff and routinely visit the homes. There is also a Program Specialist who is assigned a small group of individuals and is responsible for their individual plans, training the staff and assuring that the individuals' needs are being met. We have a Quality Improvement Specialist who provides direct support to the staff in the homes. The QI Specialist monitors our quality indicators, helps to train staff and works with the residential management to assure high quality support. Lastly, senior management is regularly in the homes for visits, training and to check on the quality of our services.
Is QMA accredited by any organization?
Our residential programs are licensed by the State of New Jersey, through the Office of Licensing and Inspection. We follow the 10:44 regulations of the Department of Human Services. We maintain an excellent history of licensing compliance.
How does someone become eligible for your services?
An individual must be registered with the New Jersey State Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. In order to be registered a person must have a primary diagnosis of a developmental disability. Qualifying conditions include: mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury and certain neurological impairments.
What is Olmstead?
The Olmstead decision was a Supreme Court decision (Olmstead v. C.C. and E.W.) issued in 1999 that determined that it is unconstitutional for people to be placed in state institutions solely due their disability. The Olmstead decision required states to develop a plan to move people out of state developmental centers and into community supports as needed. The New Jersey plan is called the Pathways to Progress and is also referred to as the Olmstead process.
