Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey Inc.

“Kristi phillips, director, is the niece of peter a. Phillips, immediate past president.”

“Planned lifetime assistance network of nj has its form 990 prepared by an outside accounting firm and has established the following review process to ensure that the information reported is complete and accurate. When the form 990 has been prepared, reviewed by management and is ready to be filed with the internal revenue service, it is provided to the members of the organizations governing body for any comments prior to its submission. The governing body is provided with a reasonable amount of time to review the form 990. Any comments are then grouped, summarized and provided through management to the outside accounting firm. Any applicable issues are addressed prior to the return being finalized and approved for filing.”

“Planned lifetime assistance network of nj currently has in place a conflict of interest policy which it annually monitors and enforces. If a potential or actual conflict of interest exists, the corporate compliance officer will notify a member of management or the governing body about such conflict and investigate the conflict. The results of the investigation will be summarized and documented by the corporate compliance officer and reported to the governing body. If the corporate compliance officer establishes that an actual conflict exists, the member of management or the governing body will be notified immediately and that person will not be allowed to vote or be a part of any decisions about any such transactions that have to do with the conflict until such time there is no longer a conflict.”

“The compensation of the organization's officers and key employees is reviewed and approved by the board of trustees, an independent body. The qualifications and experience of the individual are also taken into account in conjunction with industry standards, compensation surveys or study when determining compensation.”

“The organization makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code by posting it on guidestar.org. In addition, forms 990 is available upon written request at the organization's office.”

“Plan nj's mission is to answer the question, "who will care for my loved one when i'm gone?" our statewide non-profit organization serves people with developmental, psychiatric, and physical disabilities.”

“Planned lifetime assistance of new jersey (plan|nj), a nonprofit organization, helps the families of people with disabilities answer the question, "who will care for my loved one when i'm gone?" a person with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities, or with mental health challenges needs a bedrock of individually-designed support. We offer exemplary care coordination, guided oversight of financial affairs, and compassionate actions to enhance quality of life. We partner with families to provide their loved ones a lifetime of assistance. Whether services are needed now or in the future, we initiate assistance whenever a family is ready and help to maintain continuity and peace of mind for all concerned. Whether they live with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities, or challenges with mental health such as autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness and more, each individual we serve is provided the coordinated supports they need.”

“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.”

“Iii. Advocacy and care coordination an important hallmark of plan|nj services is our commitment to maintaining regular contact with those individuals with disabilities and mental illness who receive services from us, as requested. Our experienced service coordinators provide ongoing monitoring for people who have no living relatives or whose family members cannot make regular visits. We offer unwavering care coordination, crucial social engagement and personal support. We are the first to respond when crises or emergencies occur. We will function as the eyes and ears of distant relatives, make regular home and day program visits, and communicate with families after each visit. Plan|nj offers the following care coordination services: a. Case management / home visit monitoring / advocacy -visit individuals in their homes, accompany clients to medical and other appointments and advocate on their behalf -coordinate the efforts of family members as they advocate for their loved ones -negotiate the disability and mental health service systems -advocate for appropriate services related to housing, employment, day programs, medical, financial, legal and other providers -organize private home health care, nursing home placements and hospice care -represent family concerns and assist in developing person-centered supports -assist with applications for public benefits and other social services -maintain contact during life transitions such as a change in housing or the loss of a parent b. Social engagement -accompany individuals on outings, recreational activities, shopping trips -celebrate birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions -assist clients to maintain relationships with family, friends and neighbors c. Personal support and emergency response -act as "first responder" when the need for assistance arises -confirm their financial obligations are met and personal needs are addressed -increase personal contact with individuals when health or other crises occur -establish the supports necessary while encouraging as much independence as possible -maintain each individual's access to emergency or planned housing, education, food, medical, financial and other supports from the social security administration, medicaid, division of developmental disabilities, housing authorities, and others -protect their safety and well-being during natural disasters”

“There was no change from the prior year.”