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Committee advances bill to create annual fellowship stipends for direct‑support professional career program; some members abstain over open‑ended funding
Summary
The committee advanced Assembly Bill 5185 on March 17, 2025, creating fellowship stipends to support current direct‑support professionals pursuing postsecondary credentials, while two members abstained over open‑ended funding language.
Assembly Bill 5185, posted and advanced by the committee on March 17, 2025, would provide annual fellowship stipends for participants in a direct‑support professional (DSP) career development program administered through a community college consortium.
Valerie Sellers of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers, which administers the DSP career development program, told the committee that Rowan College of South Jersey and Bergen Community College have graduated cohorts and that the intent was always to provide stipends to current DSPs pursuing an associate degree. Sellers said the original 2021 appropriation of $1,000,000 helped launch the program; this year the available funding was reduced but could still support modest stipends (she cited examples around $800 per participant for current DSPs who meet course completion requirements).
Assemblywoman Fantasia and Assemblyman Azaridi expressed concern about the bill’s phrase authorizing appropriations of "such amounts as necessary" without a discrete fiscal cap or structured review; Fantasia said she would abstain because she wanted clear performance metrics and a fiscal limit. Azaridi also abstained for similar budgetary concerns. Other members, including Assemblyman Atkins, noted potential long‑term savings from reduced turnover and supported advancing the bill. Atkins cited research estimates that reduced DSP turnover could save millions annually and help stabilize care.
Action: The committee released A5185. Vote statements on the record show at least two members abstained; other members recorded affirmative votes and the bill will proceed to further legislative consideration.
Why it matters: New Jersey faces DSP workforce shortages and high turnover; supporters argued stipends and career pathways can improve retention and quality of care. Opponents asked for clearer fiscal limits and performance metrics before an open‑ended annual appropriation is created.
Votes at committee: Motion to move A5185: moved and seconded on the record; vote includes recorded yes votes and recorded abstentions by Assemblywoman Fantasia and Assemblyman Azaridi.
