The New Jersey Department of Human Services has awarded 14 additional grants to organizations across the state to support inclusive initiatives for people with disabilities. Commissioner Sarah Adelman stated, “The Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant Program is helping bring innovative and evidence-based ideas to reality – projects that are making a real difference in the daily lives of individuals.” She added, “By supporting these efforts, we continue building a New Jersey where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This work is more important than ever, and we are proud to partner with Rutgers University’s Bloustein School to support the 2025 grantees in creating meaningful and lasting change in our communities.”
Since its launch in January 2021, the IHC Grant Program—led by the Division of Disability Services (DDS)—has distributed $10.9 million in total grants to 39 organizations. The program aims to ensure that people with disabilities are included in community health planning and is open to nonprofits as well as county and municipal agencies.
Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services, said, “With this fourth round of IHC grant funding, we are further cementing New Jersey as a national leader in true universal inclusion. These grants demonstrate our shared commitment to healthy and inclusive community planning driven by the voices and needs of people with disabilities. We are honored to work alongside local organizations taking on this important work. Through collaboration, we can continue building a New Jersey where all communities are inclusive and everyone thrives.”
Interim DDS Director Jacqueline Moskowitz stated, “We congratulate the 2025 IHC fellows as they join a broad cohort of organizations actively fostering safe, healthy, and accessible communities for all. Through their work, we are seeing powerful ideas take shape – ideas that promote health, equity, and meaningful inclusion for people with disabilities. We look forward to seeing how the impact of this work becomes part of our state’s fabric.”
The Bloustein School at Rutgers University collaborates with DDS on managing the IHC grant program and provides technical assistance for project implementation statewide.
Applicants could request up to $250,000 per grant over two years ($125,000 annually). The current funding cycle runs from July 2025 through June 2027.
DDS also offers resources such as the comprehensive New Jersey Resources guide for services available statewide and operates a toll-free hotline at 1-888-285-3036.
No information related directly or indirectly connects this initiative or announcement with activities or operations involving the New Jersey State Police, which maintains its own focus on public safety through law enforcement techniques.
