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April 28, 2026

(TRENTON) – The Department of Human Services today announced the appointment of members to the newly established Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee, a key initiative aimed at strengthening protections and improving outcomes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The Advisory Committee will conduct in-depth reviews of selected cases involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mortality of adults with IDD. Through this work, the Advisory Committee will identify trends, assess systemic responses, and recommend actionable improvements to prevention strategies, reporting processes, and accountability measures.

The Advisory Committee reflects a broad and inclusive approach, bringing together individuals with lived experience, family members, medical professionals, advocates, and representatives from state agencies.

“This Advisory Committee represents an important step forward in our ongoing work to strengthen oversight, accountability, and support across our system,” Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha said. “We are committed to building a culture of continuous improvement, one that listens, learns, and acts. By closely examining these difficult cases, we can better understand where systems succeed, where they fall short, and how we can do better to protect and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The Advisory Committee stems from a introduced in 2024 and signed into law in January by then-Governor Phil Murphy to strengthen oversight, expand protections, and reinforce quality standards for providers serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New Jersey.

The Advisory Committee will:

·       Critically review select cases of adults over the age of 18 years with IDD who were survivors of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and adults with IDD who have passed away;

·       Evaluate government systems’ responses to cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving individuals with IDD who resided in a variety of settings including private homes, congregate settings, and State-funded placements;

·       Identify areas for improvement in preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation against adults with IDD;

·       Explore methods to enhance accountability concerning cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation among State-funded disability services providers; and

·       Suggest measures to fortify the reporting and investigatory process concerning cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults with IDD and to improve the experience for disability services clients and their families.

 “Behind every case the Advisory Committee reviews is a person’s life, and a painful experience,” Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire said. “This work is difficult, but it is profoundly important to prevent future harm. This Advisory Committee brings together individuals with lived experience and their families alongside clinical and policy experts—voices that together, help illuminate a path to meaningful change.”

“The systematic review and root cause analysis done by this Advisory Committee will help ensure that insights from these reviews lead to stronger safeguards and a system that better supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Seifried said. “With both compassion and collaboration, we can do the hard work required to ensure that people with IDD are treated with dignity, respect, and the highest standard of support.”

The Advisory Committee includes:

·       Jessica Anastasi: Chief of Bureau of Guardianship Services, Department of Human Services;

·       Greta Anderson: Assistant Commissioner for Institutional Abuse and Congregate Care Licensing, Department of Children and Families;

·       Jill Hoegel: Director of Investigations and Monitoring; Disability Rights New Jersey;

·       Parul Aneja Khemka: family member of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability;

·       Jennifer Mills: Guardianship Services Specialist, Adult Protective Services, Division of Aging Services, Department of Human Services;

·       Stephanie Pratico: family member of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability;

·       Deborah Robinson: Director, Office of Program Integrity and Accountability, Department of Human Services;

·       Cherie Rodan: disability advocate;

·       Shanay Rowe: Senior Director, Risk & Compliance, Bancroft;

·       Diana Salvador: Clinical Director, Children’s System of Care, Department of Children and Families;

·       Jonathan Seifried: Assistant Commissioner, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Human Services;

·       Surbparkash Singh: licensed physician with experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

·       Laura Williams: Executive Director, The Arc, Ocean County Chapter.