LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE, No. 4102
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
DATED: DECEMBER 22, 2021
SUMMARY
Synopsis: |
Establishes Direct Support Professional Career Development Center; makes appropriation of $450,000. |
Type of Impact: |
State expenditure increase. |
Agencies Affected: |
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. |
Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
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Fiscal Impact |
Year 1 |
Annually Thereafter |
|
State Cost Increase |
$450,000 |
Indeterminate |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) notes that this bill will lead to a State expenditure increase of $450,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2022 to provide a grant to the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development for the purposes of establishing the Direct Support Professional Career Development Center and developing the Direct Support Professional Career Development Program.
· The cost to the State of providing resources in future fiscal years to support the center and the development program is indeterminate.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill establishes a Direct Support Professional
Career Development Center at the New Jersey Community College Consortium for
Workforce and Economic Development in partnership with a trade association
serving organizations that employ direct support professionals. The purpose of
the center will be to provide a potential career path to high school students
at-risk of failing to graduate in addition to existing direct support
professionals (DSPs), thereby assisting with recruitment and retention of this
critical workforce.
The bill requires the center, through partnerships with local school districts, to identify and recruit high school students “at risk” of not graduating from high school who have not pursued vocational education or any other alternative education program, and who are interested in learning about and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center will provide participating students with a two-year program that offers mentorship and training regarding the responsibilities of DSPs and a potential job opportunity upon graduation. The program will provide online training in addition to on-site training and mentorship with experienced DSPs employed by participating agencies that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The bill provides that, upon completion of the program, a participating student will receive academic credits and the school district at which the student is enrolled shall apply the credits towards the district requirements for high school graduation. The student will also be offered an opportunity to interview for employment as a DSP at the agency where the student received on-site training.
In addition to “at-risk” students, the Direct Support Professional Career Development Center will work with existing and future DSPs to identify their educational goals including credentialing, an associate’s degree, and a bachelor’s degree.
The bill requires the Direct Support Professional Career Development Center to employ a career counselor, who will provide ongoing support to participating high school students as well as DSPs and assist in the establishment of a Career Development Program.
The bill provides for the establishment, in collaboration with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, of a Career Development Program for new and existing DSPs at the Direct Support Professional Career Development Center. It will be the purpose of the Career Development Program to create a career path for the recruitment and retention of DSPs.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS notes that this bill will lead to a State expenditure increase of $450,000 in FY 2022 to provide a grant to the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development for the purposes of establishing the Direct Support Professional Career Development Center and developing the Direct Support Professional Career Development Program. The cost to the State of providing resources in future fiscal years to support the center and the development program is indeterminate.
To the extent that State funds are not provided, the
consortium, which is a part of the New Jersey Council on County Colleges, would
expend funds to fulfill the requirements of the bill, including: identifying
and recruiting high school students “at risk” of not graduating; providing a
two-year program to participating students that includes training and
mentorship; employing a career counselor to provide ongoing support to
prospective and current DSPs; and developing efforts to create a career path
for the recruitment and retention of DSPs.
Section: |
Education |
Analyst: |
Associate Fiscal Analyst |
Approved: |
Thomas Koenig Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).