6 events in Passaic County with a date

NJ website post group home stats, no names

Action comes after Hidden at Home series

By: Ashley Balcerzak
and Jean Rimbach
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... On a newly launched state website, New Jersey is now posting statistics about investigations into abuse and neglect at group homes for people with disabilities for the first time - but odes not include the names of specific companies and where residents are harmed.
..... The redesigned website comes in the wake of NorthJersey.com 's 2025 Hidden at House series, which detailed the lack of information available for the public to determine the safety and quality of group homes. The sole Online resource is a "report card" with a confusing star grading system that does not include data that past versions did.
..... To fill that void NorthJersey.com created a searchable tool using public records requests that shows user which companies faced sanctions such as provisional licenses, suspension of admissions, or a state oversight panel.
..... The state's new website continues to leave out tis information.
..... Instead, it includes high-level data through 2024 on the number of incidents reported to the state, how many were investigated by the state versus group homes themselves and the rates at which different allegations - such as sexual abuse, neglect or psychological abuse were substantiated.
..... Nearly all of the data included was originally requested by NorthJersey.com to repost the Hidden at Home series.
..... The sole mention of the quality of specific companies is a page with the report card, which now includes archived versions hat go back to 2022. Previously, only the most current report card was posted.
..... Parent Dorothy Blakeslee gave the website a "good grade," noting the work and effort involved, but said she hoped for more.
..... "It would be more informative if it provided more information on issue that directly relate to their loved ones," said Blakeslee, who is statewide chair of the New Jersey Family Support Planning Council. "What is the staff turnover rate? What percentage of Medicaid funds directly benefit direct support provides?
..... "It's basically a quantitative summary and there is more that should be considered in reviewing an agency providing services to people with disabilities."
..... Cyndy Hayes - a parent who advocates for sweeping reforms to the investigative system - said the changes were "purely cosmetic" and "very disappointing."
..... The Department of Human Services, which oversees the group home system, said in an email announcement that the website "enhances access to data on inpliance trends, reinforcing our role in enhancing public understanding."
..... An agency spokesman did not respond to questions. Since May, [2026] the Department of Human Services has not acknowledged - or responded to - any queries from the NorthJersey.com reporters who produced the Hidden at Home series.
..... The redesigned website is for the Office of Program Integrity & Accountability, or OPIA, responsible for a fraction of abuse and neglect investigations, as well as licensing group homes, and nonconducting biannual surprise visits to the more than 2,000 homes across the state.
..... The office has a larger scope, overseeing day programs, homes for people with mental health or substance abuse issues and other settings.
..... Users can view the redesigned site at www.nj.gov/humanservices/opia/index/shtml .

Specifics are lacking

..... The new website does not include an data about deaths of group home residents, cause of death, or what companies were caring for the residents who died.
..... NorthJersey.com found the state rarely investigates unexpected deaths in group homes, of which there are an average of 120 a year. Hidden at Home revealed incomplete data tracking, finding the most common causes of death of group home residents was listed as "other."
..... The new website also included no information about which companies employed people who ended up on the state's Central Registry of Offenders, a no-hire list of those who are not allowed to work with the divisibility community after being found to have abused, neglected or exploited someone i their care.
..... The state site does show how many people are added yearly, and for what allegations: 240 people made it on the list for physical abuse, 145 for exploitation over $100, 72 for neglect, 26 for sexual abuse, and eight for verbal or psychological abuse.
..... The website does not include documents such as licensing reports, or annual reports that show the conditions of a house and whether it met standard for health and safety.

NorthJersey.com interactive database shows quality of care

..... NorthJersey.com 's database allows users to sift through specific reports and other letters that illustrate serious concerns about a company's performance, ranging from the quality of resident care and staffing levels to the physical conditions of the homes.
..... The state website includes a few licensing statistics. It notes hat 55 programs received a provisional license in 2024, which is a short-term license when a home does not meet standards, and that 79% of licensed agencies are nonprofits.

State will boost surprise inspections in 2026

..... The new website says the state is increasing the frequency by which it conducts unannounced inspection beginning in 2026."
..... NorthJersey.com reported that group homes are notified in advance of licensing inspections in the vast majority of cases. Only 5% were surprise visits in the past decade.
..... Users can see how many homes state inspectors visited in 2023 and 2024 for unannounced visits required under the Stephen Komninos' Law, and how many surprise inspections led to concern or an incident report.
..... The website describes what state workers are looking for, and what the process looks like, but does not show which group homes received low scores, or spot the surprise visit reports. The public can see how many times state workers visited residents to verify injuries - required within tow days of a report of abuse or neglect. It shows numbers of employees drug tests, but does not include results, such a show many failed.
..... There is also data on how many times the state confirmed that abuse and neglect wasn't reported 13 times in 2023 and nine times in 2024.

More clarity on how things work

..... The website provides more information about how Human Services works, and what officials do to try to keep residents safe.
..... Under the investigation section, it lists what types of allegations are required to be reported to police, and notes that every state investigation is sent to the Attorney General's Division of Criminal Justice. It does not include statistics about how many cases were charged or prosecute, however.
..... NorthJersey.com crated a flow cart for readers to understand the process of how a tip is investigated.
.... The site also shows how few families request investigation reports, which can show more detail about how state workers came to their conclusions: Only 20 people requested investigation required 2023 - out of 462 state investigations - and 12 2024, out of 505 state investigations.
..... Families are entitled to these reports but the state does not automatically provide them at the conclusion of an investigation. And when the state does provide is redacted.

Possible consequences fro group homes

..... There is also more information about possible consequences for group homes.
..... There is a section about Quality Management Teams, which are oversight, panels assigned to group home providers with widespread issues.
..... It does not list which companies have raised such concerns that they are - or have been - placed under the supervision of a team.
..... Another web page notes that "two consecutive provisional licenses may result in non-renewal."
..... Group home association had largely positive feedback.
..... "Clear and accessible guidance about what to expect during reviews and investigations is critical for all stakeholders, and this update helps foster greater understanding, consistency, and trust across New Jersey's community-based system," said Libby Vinson, CEO of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers.
..... Catherine Chin, executive director of the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities called the website and new monthly newsletter good first steps, and suggested a monthly update for the public would be useful.
..... "I believe that th new and easily accessible website will increase engagement, reduct misunderstanding and built trust," Chin said.

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