Protection & Advocacy: New Jersey

In this episode I speak with Gwen Orlowski, Executive Director of Disability Rights New Jersey. We discuss the statutory authorities given to all P&A organizations as well as the specific work that DRNJ has been engaged in. Work that includes investigations into abuse and neglect in nursing homes, advocacy around the state’s expansion of initial involuntary hospitalizations from 72 hours to 144 hours, and a recent lawsuit filed in relation to Conditional Extension Pending Placement, or CEPP. CEPP is an incredibly concerning process that allows a psychiatric facility to continue to involuntarily detain a person past the point where a court has said the legally required criteria for commitment is no longer present.

Disability Rights New Jersey: https://disabilityrightsnj.org/

CEPP litigation: https://disabilityrightsnj.org/whats-new/systemic-litigation/