SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4211

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

     The Senate Higher Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4211.

     This bill provides for the establishment of county college-based adult centers for transition, which will serve developmentally disabled individuals up to the age of 24.  The bill also makes an annual appropriation of $4.5 million for the bill’s purposes.  

     This bill requires the board of trustees of each county college to establish a county college-based adult center for transition for developmentally disabled individuals up to the age of 24 to experience a more successful transition from secondary school to postsecondary education, adult employment, and independent living opportunities and skills, as appropriate.  Under the bill, the board is required to appoint a person qualified by training and experience to direct and administer the adult center for transition. 

     The bill provides that the purpose of a county college-based adult center will be to:

     (1) coordinate and integrate existing county and State-based services, programs, and resources; and

     (2) ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities up to the age of 24 have opportunities to receive mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and any other appropriate wrap-around services to help them make a successful transition into employment and independent living, as appropriate.

     Under the bill, the board of trustees of a county college may receive and expend moneys from the State and federal governments or private individuals, corporations, associations, or college foundations to meet the expenses of the county college-based adult center for transition.

      The bill also provides for an annual appropriation from the General Fund to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in the amount of $4,500,000 for the purposes of fulfilling the bill’s provisions.  The bill directs the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to distribute grants to county college-based adult centers for transition in such amounts and by such criteria as are determined by the Secretary of Higher Education.