May 7, 2008
Tim Doherty, Chairperson called the meeting to order.

DDD Report
Frank Kirkland, Regional Director, introduced himself and noted that one of his responsibilities was the Real Life Choices Program (RCL). He spoke about a temporary freeze on community placements in independent living for clients in RLC. They are putting procedures in place for the safety of new placements and reviewing the status of current placements. Community placements will resume when the assessment of client safety and status is complete. Concerns were raised as to the length of time this would take and the effect on rent-up process for new units where penalties for delay can be considerable. He was not able to give a firm line for completion but would try to complete this in a timely manner.

Kim Rodriguez, Housing Coordinator, reported that they are on target to meet their goal of placing 100 clients out of Developmental Centers in the first year; 80 have been placed thus far.

Eileen Coyne, Director Support Coordination, Care givers of NJ, rreported on the E Blasts they are sending on housing searches by county and client service requests.

Public Policy
Arnold Cohen reported on the Lobby Day scheduled for Trenton on June 5, 2008, the SRAP funding in the 2009 budget, the Roberts Bill, the foreclosure legislation and the National Housing Trust Fund Legislation.