PerformCare (1-877-652-7624) is the front door to New Jersey's Children's System of Care: behavioral supports, crisis response, respite, and developmental disability eligibility. ABA therapy itself is funded through your health insurance, NJ FamilyCare or commercial, not by PerformCare. Many families need both systems; here is how they fit.
What PerformCare actually does
PerformCare is the administrative gateway for the NJ Children's System of Care (CSOC) under the Department of Children and Families. Through PerformCare, families access intensive in-community behavioral supports, mobile crisis response, care management, respite, and CSOC's developmental disability (DD) eligibility determination, which unlocks services like family support and, later, adult DDD services.
Where ABA fits
ABA is a health-insurance benefit. If your child has NJ FamilyCare, ABA runs through your Medicaid MCO at $0; if you have commercial insurance, it runs under the NJ autism mandate. Calling PerformCare is not a prerequisite for starting ABA, and starting ABA does not use up anything at PerformCare. Families often run both tracks at once: insurance-funded ABA for skill-building, CSOC supports for crisis, respite, or wraparound needs.
When you should call PerformCare
- Behavioral crises or safety concerns at home (mobile response is 24/7).
- To register for CSOC developmental disability eligibility, worth doing early because documentation takes time and adult services depend on it later.
- Respite and family support services.
Keep every evaluation and report; the same documents that support your ABA authorization support CSOC eligibility.
Not sure what your plan covers? Send us your insurance card and we will verify ABA benefits for free, usually within a day or two: start here.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need PerformCare to get ABA therapy?
Should I still register with PerformCare?
What number do I call for PerformCare?
Can my child have CSOC services and ABA at the same time?
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Insurance details change and vary by plan. This page is general information, not insurance or medical advice. Plan names are trademarks of their owners; Liftoff ABA is an independent provider. We verify your exact benefits for free.