Danielle’s Law in New Jersey: When IDD Support Staff Must Call 911
In a life-threatening emergency, the first priority is getting emergency help. New Jersey’s Danielle’s Law requires covered staff working directly with people with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury to call 911. Waiting for a supervisor’s approval must not delay that call.
For families and support teams, the practical question is not simply whether an emergency policy exists. It is whether everyone knows what to do, has the information they need, and can act while protecting the person’s dignity. The official New Jersey DDD Danielle’s Law resources are the starting point for that conversation.
Call 911 first, then make the other notifications
DDD’s emergency bulletin directs staff to call 911 before contacting a supervisor in a life-threatening situation. Its FAQ also explains that a doctor or nurse can be notified after the emergency call. Staff should not assume another person has called unless they are certain the call was made.
Calling a family member, arranging a car ride, or waiting for a familiar clinician is not a substitute for the required emergency call. The DDD FAQ specifically distinguishes a life-threatening emergency from a non-life-threatening situation in which a supervisor or medical professional may advise transportation for evaluation.
Recognize warning signs without waiting for certainty
No short checklist can diagnose every emergency. DDD’s Identifying Life Threatening Emergencies bulletin tells staff to call 911 when they are unsure whether a situation is life-threatening. Its examples include:
Unconsciousness, losing consciousness, or unusual confusion or disorientation.
Difficulty breathing, no breathing, or breathing in an unusual way.
Persistent or recurring chest pain, pressure, or discomfort; severe bleeding; or a serious head, neck, or back injury.
A first seizure, an atypical seizure, or a seizure lasting longer than five minutes, among other seizure-related emergencies.
These examples are not a reason to wait for every listed sign or a time threshold before seeking help. Follow the person’s clinical emergency plan and dispatcher instructions. Knowing the person’s usual communication, movement, and responses helps staff describe what has changed.
Make the first few minutes easier to manage
A useful emergency plan assigns responsibilities before a crisis. With enough staff available, one person may make the call while another gathers information or helps responders reach the location. Do not let those preparations delay 911.
Call 911 and give the precise location, what happened, the person’s current condition, and any immediate hazards.
Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and provide assistance within your training. Avoid unnecessary movement unless needed for immediate safety or directed by responders.
Have the medication list, allergies, medical history, emergency contacts, communication information, and relevant orders ready.
After the call is underway, follow the provider’s required notifications and incident-reporting procedures.
Review the response afterward: what helped, what was missing, and what should change?
Prepare an emergency information sheet that describes the person
DDD recommends keeping an individual fact sheet with current medications, medical conditions and history, and key contacts. Families and teams can make it more useful by including the practical information a new responder may not know.
Communication: speech, gestures, pictures, a communication device, preferred words, or extra processing time.
Baseline: what is typical for the person and how pain, distress, or a change in condition may be expressed.
Support needs: mobility assistance, sensory sensitivities, and strategies that help the person understand what is happening.
Logistics: where essential documents are kept, who meets responders, and who brings needed communication tools.
Keep this information current, available to authorized staff, and protected from unnecessary disclosure. A folder that nobody can locate quickly is not an effective emergency resource.
Address DNR and end-of-life questions before a crisis
DDD’s FAQ says a DNR order alone does not remove the 911 requirement for a life-threatening emergency; the dispatcher and responders should be told about the order. The FAQ separately addresses issues related to a terminal condition during end-of-life care, while retaining the requirement for unrelated life-threatening emergencies.
These situations need an individualized plan reviewed with the treating clinicians, hospice team when applicable, and the provider. Do not infer instructions about CPR or other treatment from a general blog article. Read the full DDD FAQ and keep applicable medical orders available.
Questions families can bring to the next check-in
How are new and relief staff trained on Danielle’s Law and emergency response?
Where is the current emergency information sheet, and who updates it?
How will the person’s communication and sensory needs be supported?
Who notifies the family or guardian after the emergency call, and how will follow-up be shared?
How does the team learn from emergencies and near misses?
ADEPT’s perspective: preparedness protects dignity
A welcoming home or community program should be ready for difficult moments as well as ordinary ones. Clear responsibilities, accessible communication, and well-prepared information help keep the person at the center when routines are disrupted.
For ADEPT, Redefining What GOOD Looks Like includes asking what dependable support looks like under pressure. Preparation should make the right action easier, not add another layer of permission before help is called.
This article provides general education, not individualized medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 911 and follow dispatcher instructions and applicable clinical plans.
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