On February 11, 2010, NJ Governor Chris Christie announced that he had signed an Executive Order cutting spending in 375 line items, via cuts, freezes, or elimination of existing programs across all aspects of State Government. The emergency spending reductions amount to over $2 billion during the remaining months of the current State Fiscal Year.
Unfortunately, one of the budget cuts was $155,000 in funding slated to be provided to Autism New Jersey under an existing, longstanding contract with the State’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (“DDD”).
There will be a direct and substantial impact on families in need of support as a result of this cut. 1 in 94 individuals in New Jersey are diagnosed with autism. The services offer by Autism NJ are available to as many as 80,000 children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in New Jersey. Autism NJ has planned more than twenty workshops for parents and professionals with close to 1,000 people expected to attend. And the funds allow the organization to offer a timely response to 4,500 individuals who reach them via telephone, and 2,000 individuals who receive printed support and guidance materials. Those services are all now in jeopardy as a direct result of Mr. Christie’s irresponsible actions.
