As a mom of a child with autism, I’ve made it my mission to stay on top of all of the news, resources and opportunities that could potentially help our daughter thrive. I’ve accessed home therapy, found inclusive extracurricular activities in our community, and we’ve even participated in a clinical trial. But there is one service that I’ve yet to take advantage of: PerformCare.
PerformCare is the contracted system administrator for New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC). Through PerformCare, families can gain access to a multitude of services including intellectual and developmental disability services, which may include respite services, technology services—and even camp services.
RESOURCES FOR CAMP & BEYOND
“For 2025, CSOC will be providing summer camp services to eligible youth under the age of 21,” says Danielle Eveland, education liaison with Capitol County Children’s Collaborative, a non-profit care management organization in Mercer County. These services include financial support toward summer camp tuition and one-to-one aide services for summer camp. CSOC is additionally offering alternative recreational sessions (ARS) as an added component of summer camp. ARS provides youth with an opportunity to engage in a recreational activity with peers within the community, on a per-session basis, rather than a full day of camp. “This shorter timeframe will increase camp access for youth who may benefit from a brief structured period compared to a longer traditional camp day,” she says.
This all sounds great, but the reason I haven’t done it is that the application process is…well, not easy. On the PerformCare website there are videos you can watch explaining that the process is “somewhat lengthy.” In order to begin the application process, you need to call and register your child with PerformCare, then sign up for the Family Portal, where you’ll fill out an online application that requires you to upload supporting documents—basically every slip of paper on your child from the moment they were diagnosed. You’ll submit all the required evaluations and fill out the Child Adaptive Behavioral Summary. From there, you’ll receive a determination letter in the mail, which highlights any missing paperwork.
Needless to say, after our initial application was rejected because of missing documents almost three years ago, I put applying on my never-ending to-do list and it never got done.
“For families new to PerformCare, the application process can feel overwhelming, but starting early makes a huge difference,” says Ruthie Bashan, director, Guttenberg Center for Special Services at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, where children and teens can attend Camp Haverim (which means “friends” in Hebrew). Bashan says families who apply on time are much more likely to secure the 1:1 support their child needs. “It’s also important for parents to share as much information as possible about their child’s strengths, preferences and challenges. This helps match them with the right aide and ensures the best possible experience,” she says.
While just the thought of starting the application process over makes me woozy, Bashan reminds me there are plenty of good reasons to get started now.
“At the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, we’ve seen how life-changing summer camp can be for neurodivergent children and their families,” she says. “PerformCare has been an invaluable resource for many of the families we work with, allowing children to participate in camp programs they might not otherwise have been able to access. Last summer alone, over 100 children attended our camps with varying levels of support, from simple behavioral plans to full-time inclusion counselors.”
GETTING STARTED
Funding toward summer camp tuition and one-to-one aid is subject to availability. PerformCare recommends applications for CSOC Summer Camp Services be submitted online through the Family Portal. “Camp assistance is available for eligible youths who attend approved camps,” says Eveland. A list of approved camps can be found on the PerformCare website, often by January, but sometimes even earlier. For more information on the application process, go to performcarenj.org and search Summer Camp FAQ.
Due to high demand, you should complete the application process for summer camp financial assistance and/or one-to-one aides as soon as possible. “Parents should check back often to see if their preferred camp is on the approved list,” says Eveland. “PerformCare lists June 30 as the application deadline for this year; however, my suggestion will always be the earlier, the better.”
As any parent of a child with a developmental disability knows, sometimes just getting normal tasks done can be overwhelming. So I asked Eveland if there is anyone who can help with the application process.
“There are several avenues that a parent can take to get help navigating the process of reaching out to PerformCare,” she says. “School counselors and child study team personnel in a child’s school should be available to assist a parent. A doctor or clinician can assist in this process as well.” Community providers, such as your county’s Care Management Organization or Family Support Organization, are also available for a parent to reach out to for assistance in understanding and navigating the process.
Eveland says parents can also get assistance by calling PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624. “A trained associate at PerformCare will help refer a youth and family to the most appropriate level of care their child needs at that time,” she says.
As one parent friend told me, once you get through it, then you’re in (if approved, of course), and could potentially have access to summer camp, respite and so many other services. So the pain of dealing with a mountain of scary paperwork is well worth it.
“One thing I always tell parents is that every child deserves to be included and supported in a camp setting that works for them,” says Bashan. “We’ve seen firsthand how the right planning and resources can help children thrive in a way that brings joy and confidence, not only to them but also to their families.”
This year, I’m not just putting the application on my to-do list. I’m going to get it done!
For more information and a list of items you’ll need to get ready before applying, head to performcarenj.org to view the Readiness Checklist.
— Ronnie Koenig is an NJ mom of twins. Follow her at Facebook.com/AutismGirlMom.
