PLANNED LIFETIME ASSISTANCE NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY

PLANNED LIFETIME ASSISTANCE NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY, INC. (PLAN|NJ) TAILORS SERVICES TO FIT THE DISTINCT NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THAT WE SERVE AND TO ACCOMMODATE THE WISHES OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. WHEN IMPORTANT LIFE DECISIONS ARE PENDING-SUCH AS WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL SHOULD LIVE, OR REGARDING THE PROVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES OR MEDICAL CARE-WE 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 -GUIDE FAMILIES TO REVIEW A DIRECTORY OF ATTORNEYS AS NEEDED -OFFER SPANISH-SPEAKING SERVICES B. 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 PROPERTY WE 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 HELP THEM 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 PERSON'S AND FAMILY'S WISHES, KEEPING THEIR LOVED ONE'S CHOICES, DESIRES, NEEDS AND PREFERENCES AT THE FOREFRONT.