>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED , COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CREAM ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE STATE HIT A NEW MILESTONE TODAY.

SURPASSING 5 MILLION TOTAL VACCINE DOSES ADMINISTER.

NEARLY 4 MONTHS SINCE THE ROLLOUT BEGAN IN TONIGHT JUST SHY OF 2 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE SPENT THE LAST TWO MONTHS FOCUSING HEAVILY ON GETTING SHOTS IN THE ARMS OF THOSE IN HARD-HIT COMMUNITIES.

BUT THE STATE IS STILL STRUGGLING TO BRIDGE THE RACIAL GAP IN THE OVERALL VACCINATION EFFORT.

JUST 5% OF ALL DOSES GIVEN HAVE GONE TO BLACK RESIDENTS, 9% TO HISPANIC AND LATIN INDIVIDUALS.

HOPES WERE HIGH WHEN THE STATE OPENED ITS LARGEST MASS COVID- 19 VACCINATION SITE IN NEWARK.

FEDERALLY BACKED OPERATION ON THE CAMPUS OF AN JIT.

IT SERVES SEVERAL TOWNS IN ESSEX, HUDSON, AND UNION COUNTIES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON GETTING DOSES STRAIGHT TO THOSE LIVING IN THE BRICK CITY.

MORE THAN A WEEKEND, THE SITE HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH PEOPLE CLAMORING FOR A VACCINE.

THE PROBLEM IS, IT IS NOT EXACTLY THE GROUP HEALTH OFFICIALS WERE TARGETING.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> THE LINE SEEMS LONG AND INTIMIDATING BUT IT WAS QUICK.

>> Reporter: IT IS VACCINATION CONVEYOR BELT.

FOLKS FILE THROUGH THE PLASTIC SHOOT TO GET THEIR COVID SHOT.

MORE THAN 44,000 IN THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF OPERATION.

THEY SAY REPORTS MORE THAN HALF FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

31% HISPANIC AND 14% BLACK IN AN AREA OF MOSTLY MINORITY RESIDENTS.

ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO COVID COMPLICATIONS.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

>> OVERALL WE SEE INCREASES IN THE MINORITY POPULATIONS RECEIVING VACCINATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> Reporter: NEWARK HAS STRUGGLED TO VACCINATED CITIZENS AND JERSEY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 22,400 ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, UP 3400 SINCE LAST WEEK.

THAT IS 8% OF THE CITY, UP FROM 6.7% A WEEK AGO.

COMMUNITY LEADERS HAD EXPECTED MORE AFTER COLLECTING LONG LISTS OF NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION AND SENDING THEM TO THE STATE TO CALL AND REGISTER FOR VACCINATIONS AT THE MEGA SITE.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH HOW FAST THE CALLS ARE BEING MADE.

>> Reporter: THIS REVEREND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE CLERGY ALLIANCE TO CONNECT SHOTS WITH ARMS.

BUT THE MEGA SITE IS A CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK WE ARE NOT DOING AS GREAT AS WE WANT TO.

BUT THAT WILL BE UP TO THE PEOPLE.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

THE OUTRAGE IS GOING WELL.

WHAT WE NEED IS MORE RESIDENTS REGISTER.

>> THE PEOPLE ARE ONLY LIKE 15% OF THOSE VACCINATIONS.

THOSE HUGE VACCINATION SITES, THE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM YOUR, CONNECTICUT, MORE PEOPLE FROM JERSEY CITY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED IN NEWARK THEN NEWARK RESIDENTS THEMSELVES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THE BIG GIANT SITES.

>> Reporter: WHILE NEWARK'S VACCINATION NUMBERS ARE RISING, THE MAYOR HAD HOPED TO VACCINATE AT LEAST 1000 CITY RESIDENTS A DAY.

AND THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

AT LEAST SO FAR.

>> I SAW THE LINE FOR THE FEMA CENTER ON GOOD FRIDAY AND IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE CORNER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ONE REASON WHY SEVERAL PEOPLE GOT IN THE SHORTER LINE TODAY AT ST. MATTHEW A ANY GEORGE IN ORANGE FOR A SMALL THE SMALLER VACCINATED.

PEOPLE TRUST HER CHURCH.

>> WE HAD INDIVIDUALS THAT SCHEDULED WITH US FROM NEWARK COMING HERE.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH CHURCH AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE COMFORTABLE.

>> NONE OF THIS CAN JUST GET DONE WITH ONE PERSON OR ONE ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD TO NEW JERSEY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND IT IS ORGANIZING SMALLER HYPER LOCAL CLINICS AND SHE BELIEVES THEY MAY BE BETTER THAN MEGA SITES AND GETTING PEOPLE OF COLOR VACCINATED.

>> COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES HAVE SHOWN IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES, 50%, 75% OF PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THIS IS PREDICATED OFF OF THE WORK.

>> Reporter: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HELPED ORGANIZE THE CLINIC WITH 120 SHOTS OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOTS AND PLANS MORE EVENTS.

THEY MAKE IT EASY.

>> WE ARE GETTING MANY WALK-INS TODAY.

I AM EXCITED.

PEOPLE WHO ARE HESITANT ABOUT CUTTING VACCINE, BUT NOW IT IS HERE, THEY WILL TAKE THIS MOMENT .

>> Reporter: FAITH-BASED, LOCAL AND MEGA SIZED IT IS AND THAT THE GOAL OF GETTING FOLKS VACCINATED.

>>> THE STATE'S PROGRESS TO REACH MORE PEOPLE WAS HELPED BY A BIG BOOST IN VACCINE SUPPLY THIS WEEK.

SPECIFICALLY A MAJOR INCREASE IN J&J'S EASY TO DISTRIBUTE ONE AND DONE SHOT.

BUT DON'T EXPECT THAT TO BE THE CASE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AFTER AN INGREDIENT MIXUP AT A BALTIMORE FACTORY CAUSE A REPORTED 15 MILLION DOSES TO GET TOSSED, NEW JERSEY SUPPLY IS SLATED TO SIGNIFICANTLY DROP ABOUT 96% OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

IT COMES AS THE STATE PREPARES TO INCREASE ELIGIBILITY AND AS WE RANKED THIRD IN THE NATION FOR COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS, WE ASKED OUR HEALTHCARE REPORTER TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS AHEAD.

LET'S TALK NUMBERS FIRST.

YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SUPPLY IS GOING TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY, HOW MUCH?

>> Reporter: HE WAS SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY OF THE J&J DOSES.

THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPRISE.

THE SUPPLY HAS NOT BEEN RELIABLE.

THE GOVERNOR OR THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SAID WE WILL GO FROM ABOUT 113,000 DOSES THIS WEEK TO 15,000 AND CHANGE AND THEN 5200 THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

WHICH IS THE 96% DROP THAT WE CALCULATED.

I DO THINK IT IS WORTH POINTING OUT THAT J&J IS LIKE A LITTLE MORE THAN 1/5 BETWEEN A FIFTH AND A FOURTH OF THE SUPPLY.

IT IS NOT THE BULK.

BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE GOVERNOR TO SAY, APPOINTMENTS WILL DRY UP.

WHICH WAS A SURPRISE.

>> TO USE A MURPHY WORD, THIS VACCINE IS MORE NIMBLE.

WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOSPITALIZATIONS GOING UP AND ELIGIBILITY EXPANDING, REACHING THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, SHOULD WE NOT EXPECT THAT TO GET TOUGHER IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS?

>> Reporter: I THINK THE QUESTION IS, THAT IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DROP.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IF J&J IS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, THEY ARE PROBLEMS THEY WILL HAVE TO SOLVE.

THEY ARE NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY.

ONE WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THE GAP WILL GET FILLED.

YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THINK THAT AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, THE DEMAND GOES DOWN.

BUT JUST AS YOU SAID, WE ARE ABOUT TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY.

IT IS REALLY A QUESTION OF PACE .

IF EVERYBODY WANTS A VACCINE NEXT WEEK, THIS WILL BE A PROBLEM.

AS GOVERNOR MURPHY TRIED TO POINT OUT WHEN HE WAS DEFENDING THE STATES EXPANSION PLAN ON APRIL 19, IT WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO EVERYBODY OVER AGE 16, HE WAS SAYING THAT NOT ALL OF THIS PEOPLE WILL RUSH FORWARD ON THE FIRST DAY.

AND AS WE HAVE SEEN, DEMAND HAS OUTPACED SUPPLY ALL ALONG.

>> WHAT ABOUT DISTRIBUTION?

YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DIG INTO THIS.

THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF THE STATE THAT SEEM SOMEWHAT FLUSH WITH J&J VACCINES AT THE MOMENT.

ANY INDICATION THE STATE MAY SHIFT THAT?

>> Reporter: IT WAS INTERESTING.

MURPHY WAS ASKED THAT YESTERDAY AND I DON'T THINK HE REALLY ANSWERED IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID IT.

THE STATE HAS THE SHARED THE ALLOCATION NUMBERS, THE NUMBERS.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE FORMULA AND STRATEGY BUT HAVE NOT SHARED NUMBERS THAT THEY ARE ALLOCATING TO EACH COUNTY.

WE HAVE ASKED FOR DATA ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THEY ARE GETTING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND APPARENTLY GETTING HARD NUMBERS ON THAT WEEK TO WEEK IS MORE COMPLICATED.

I THINK THAT GOES TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A CHANGING SITUATION AND IT IS HARD TO PIN DOWN.

WHICH MAKES THIS ALL MORE CHALLENGING.

>> WE KNOW YOU WILL SAY ON IT.

THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE ON THE TIMING OF J&J'S DECREASED ALLOTMENT AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT FUTURE APPOINTMENTS, CHECK OUT HER FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.COM .

>>> HUNDREDS OF INMATES AT THE FT. DIX CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION BUT THEY ARE REPORTING A SECOND PRISONER HAS DIED FROM COVID-19 COMPLICATIONS THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS SAID THE 69- YEAR-OLD INMATE DIED MARCH 26 AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS BEING TREATED AFTER BEING HOSPITALIZED PREVIOUSLY FOR INFECTION THAT BEGAN IN DECEMBER.

IN A STATEMENT THEY SAID, THE MAN HAD LONG-TERM PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

HE IS THE SECOND INMATE AT FT. DIX AND THE FOURTH FEDERAL INMATE IN NEW JERSEY TO DIE FROM COMPLICATIONS OF THE VIRUS.

FT. DIX HAS LOGGED MORE COVID CASES THAN ANY OTHER FEDERAL PRISON IN THE COUNTRY AS NEW JERSEY REMAINS ONE OF FIVE STATES LEADING NEW INFECTION RATES FOR THE U.S., ANOTHER 3700 NEW POSITIVE TESTS REPORTED TODAY.

AND 35 MORE LIVES LOST.

NEARLY 25,000 TOTAL SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE DEMANDING DETAILS OF A $21 MILLION SETTLEMENT REACHED WITH CURRENT AND FORMER INMATES AT THE EDNA MAHAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

THE STATES THAT HE SETTLED 22 CIVIL LITIGATIONS AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OVER ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT.

MADE BY THE WOMEN WHILE INCARCERATED AT THE PRISON.

SOME OF THE CASES STEM AS FAR BACK AS 2014.

THE SETTLEMENT IS NOT RELATED TO AN EARLY JANUARY INCIDENT IN WHICH OFFICERS ARE ACCUSED OF SEVERELY BEATING INMATES THAT LED TO CHARGES AGAINST EIGHT OFFICERS AND PROMPTED AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION.

IN A STATEMENT THE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONER SAID HIS ADMINISTRATION IS USHERING IN A NEW ERROR BUT THE STATE SENATOR SAID TAXPAYER-FUNDED PAYOUT IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT CULTURE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO FESTER FOR YEARS.

SHE IS CALLING FOR HIM TO RESIGN AS HE WENT FACE TO FACE WITH SOME OF THEM TODAY AT A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN TRENTON.

>> I SHARE IN YOUR DISGUST AND DISAPPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER APPEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DETAILS CAME TO LIGHT OF ALLEGED ABUSE INSIDE NEW JERSEY'S ONLY WOMEN'S PRISON.

>> NO ONE DESERVES THE HORRIFIC TREATMENT THE WOMEN ADORED.

WE HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR THIS BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST EIGHT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS FOR THEIR ALLEGED ROLES IN THE A JANUARY 11 INCIDENT THAT LEFT ONE INMATE WITH A FRACTURE TO HER RIGHT EYE.

AND ANOTHER WITH A CONCUSSION.

AFTER BEING HIT 28 TIMES.

>> I TOOK SWIFT ACTION TO ADDRESS THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDING ALL THOSE INVOLVED ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS HIERARCHY.

THE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND PROACTIVELY REFER THE INCIDENT TO BOTH THE HUNTINGTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE SAFETY REFORMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE HAVE UPDATED THE CAMERA SYSTEM.

ADDING A MAJOR TO THE SECOND SHIFT.

HAVING SITE VISITS AND TOURS AND DEVELOPING USE OF FORCE COMMITTEE TASKED WITH PROVIDING MEANINGFUL REVIEW OF CASES.

>> Reporter: HE DESCRIBED INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES ON THE HORIZON.

FROM A NEW BODY WORN CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM, TO AN EARLY WARNING COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM THAT WILL MONITOR STAFF.

>> APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS.

>> Reporter: ONE MONTH AFTER A SENATOR AND THE STATE SENATE CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN OR BE REMOVED.

THAT DECISION FALLS ON GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO STILL IS WAITING FOR HIS INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION TO BE COMPLETED.

>> THE REASON WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION AND THEN WE FIND OUT LAST NIGHT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CIVIL SETTLEMENT OF MORE THAN $20 MILLION TO SETTLE THE COMPLAINTS OF VARIOUS FORMER INMATES AND I BELIEVE CURRENT ONES IN TERMS OF ABUSE AT EDNA MAHAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY .

>> WE HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS AGAINST THESE PRISON GUARDS WHO ABUSED AND BEAT WOMEN PRISONERS.

WHAT MORE DO WE NEED HERE?

THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY EVENTS LIKE THIS, TOO MANY ISSUES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.

>> JANUARY 11 INCIDENT AND THE INCIDENTS BEFORE MY TENURE HAVE CULMINATED IN THIS MOMENT.

BRINGING MY CHARACTER INTO QUESTION.

MY ADMINISTRATION IS USHERING IN A NEW ERA IN CORRECTIONS.

CHANGES COMING SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

AS THESE THINGS TAKE TIME.

A SHIFT IN CULTURE TAKES TIME.

BUT MY ADMINISTRATION IS UP TO THE CHALLENGE.

>> HE HAS SAID HE WILL NOT STEP DOWN, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS.

IT IS MIND BLOWING.

YOU ARE THE OVERSEER OF THE PRISON AND THAT IS YOUR JOB TO KEEP THOSE WOMEN SAFE.

YOU ARE SAYING IT IS NOT MY PROBLEM, IT IS NOT MY FAULT.

YES IT IS.

IT HAPPENED ON YOUR DIME.

>> Reporter: FORMER INMATE SAID SHE PRAYS FOR HER FRIENDS ON THE INSIDE.

FEARS THEY WILL FACE RETALIATION FOR SPEAKING UP AND FIGHTS FOR CHANGE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER.

>> I AM STILL IN TOUCH WITH A LOT OF THEM.

THE WOMEN ARE SCARED RIGHT NOW.

I AM SCARED FOR THEM.

THE PRISON NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE TWO THINGS SHE WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE COMMISSIONER TODAY DID NOT HAPPEN.

AN APOLOGY AND A RESIGNATION.

>> HE IS BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE.

WE ARE SCARED TO SPEAK UP BECAUSE OF MEN LIKE THIS.

ADMINISTRATORS LIKE THIS, THEY DON'T MAKE US FEEL SAFE.

>>> WHEN THE STATE EMERGES FROM THIS PANDEMIC, WILL HUNDREDS OF THEATERS, MUSEUMS AND MUSIC VENUES BE AROUND WITH US TO REOPEN?

WE HAVE MORE ON PLANS TO HELP.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE GETTING FINANCIAL HELP.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A BILL THAT CALLS ON THE EDA TO ADMINISTER $15 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY TO ORGANIZATIONS HURT BY THE PANDEMIC.

SPEAKING FROM THE WEST AND ARTS CENTER IN LONGBRANCH, THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WE COULD NOT ALLOW THE PANDEMIC TO DEMO QUIET THE CREATIVITY OF NEW JERSEY.

WE CANNOT ALLOW THE BROAD BENEFITS THAT THE ARTS PROVIDE, EDUCATIONALLY, CULTURALLY, ECONOMICALLY TO BE LOST.

>> Reporter: THE BILL SIGNED TODAY IS PART OF A PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION PROVIDING $100 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

MEANTIME THERE IS MORE HELP AVAILABLE FOR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES, THE APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR A GRANT PROGRAM WHICH WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MOVIE THEATERS, MUSEUMS AND LIVE PERFORMING ARTS VENUES.

OVER $16 BILLION OF GRANT MONEY IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM WHICH IS BEING RUN BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL DISPUTE BETWEEN ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD IS OVER.

>>> THE NEW BRUNSWICK HOSPITAL HAD SUED HORIZON BACK IN 2015 OVER THE INSURERS HEALTH PLANS.

ST. PETER'S THOUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED A TOP-TIER PROVIDER UNDER THE PLANS AND NOW IT WILL BE UNDER THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ATTORNEYS HAD SAID A LOWER TIER DESIGNATION WOULD'VE COST THE HOSPITAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE SETTLEMENT ENDS ALL LITIGATION AGAINST HORIZON OVER ITS PLANS, EIGHT HOSPITALS HAD SUED THE INSURER OF HER BEING CLASSIFIED AS TIER 2 HEALTH CENTERS.

HORIZON IS A FUNDER OF THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE IRS SAID IT HAS $1.3 BILLION IN UNCLAIMED REFUNDS FOR AN ESTIMATED 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE WHO NEVER FILED THE RETURNS FOR THE 2017 TAX YEAR.

THE IRS SAID NEARLY 35,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS STILL HAVE TO FILE AND ONCE THEY DO THEY WILL RECEIVE REFUNDS AVERAGING ABOUT $900.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN HER AS SHE LOOKS AT THE INNOVATION ECONOMY ON NJ BUSINESS BE.

SHE HAS CONVERSATIONS WITH ENTREPRENEURS WHO TOOK SMALL IDEAS AND TURN THEM INTO MILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESSES.

WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. >>> CGI IS A GLOBAL IT AND BUSINESS CONSULTANT SERVICES FIRM.

WE HAVE BEEN HELPING GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR CLIENTS IN NEW JERSEY WITH THEIR EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR 30 YEARS.

ONE MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES ABOUT OUR SERVICES@CGI.COM.

AND NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS , A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND SCIENCE.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A LONG AND STRESSFUL PANDEMIC YEAR WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT.

BUT FOR NEW JERSEY'S ADULT COMMUNITY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS, THE CHALLENGES ARE MOUNTING.

ASIDE FROM SIX WEEKS LAST FALL THE STATES DAY PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES REMAINED CLOSED.

ALONG WITH THE SERVICES, THERAPY AND SOCIALIZATION THAT GOES WITH IT .

OFFICALS SAY THE COVID-19 ACTIVITY LEVELS HAVE NOT DECREASED ENOUGH FOR SAFE REOPENING.

FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES ARGUE THAT DECISION IS ADDING TO THEIR HARDSHIP.

>> SHE GOT UP AND WE GOT DRESSED AND SHE ATE HER BREAKFAST AND SHE WENT ON THE VAN AND THE PROGRAM BEGAN AND SHE HAD TO BE ALERT AND WORKING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

IT IS A LITTLE HARD FOR ME TO FORCE HER TO DO THAT AT HOME.

>> Reporter: SHE LIKE SO MANY ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ATTEND HER DAY PROGRAM FOR OVER A YEAR.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF SOCIALIZATION.

MY DAUGHTER IS A VERY SOCIAL YOUNG WOMAN.

AND ENJOYS BEING AROUND OTHERS.

AND I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A CRITICAL DEFICIT IN ALL OF THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT IT MANY CAREGIVERS ARE STRUGGLING TO HELP THEM THRIVE.

IN HER CASE, SHE SLEEPS THROUGH MUCH OF THE MORNING NOW.

>> ALL OF THESE THINGS WE ALWAYS DID FOR STIMULATION AND SOCIALIZATION, JUST HAVE DISAPPEARED.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A RETIRED TEACHER SO SHE IS NOT STRUGGLING TO WORK WHILE CARING FOR HER DAUGHTER BUT MANY PARENTS ARE.

>> THE IMPACT HAS BEEN ENORMOUS ON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THE STRESS LEVEL OF NOT HAVING DAY PROGRAMS OPEN, HAS REALLY RISEN.

SPECIFICALLY IN FAMILIES THAT ARE WORKING FAMILIES.

LOTS OF TIMES THEY MAY HAVE TO STAY HOME OR EVEN IF THEY ARE WORKING VIRTUALLY FROM HOME, ARE STILL GOING TO BE TAKING CARE OF SOMEONE.

PRETTY MUCH 24/7.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES REOPEN, THE DAY PROGRAMS REMAIN CLOSED AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAS BASED REOPENING ON THE STATES SCORE OR COVID ACTIVITY LEVEL INDEX WHICH REMAINS AT HIGH.

>> IT IS AN INCONSISTENT POLICY AND SEEMS TO BE OVERLY STRICT IN TERMS OF KEEPING THESE PROGRAMS CLOSED.

WHERE AS OTHER STATES LIKE NEW YORK, THE PROGRAMS ARE OPEN.

>> Reporter: THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY TO RELAX THE REQUIREMENTS.

>> I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE AND OBVIOUSLY, IF THE RESIDENTS FEEL UNSAFE AND GOING, THAT IS THERE PREROGATIVE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM FAMILIES, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE THIS POPULATION.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SAID THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IS PARAMOUNT AND ALL DECISIONS REGARDING CLOSURE AND REOPENING OF CONGREGANT DAY PROGRAMS ARE DAY GUIDED BY DATA.

SHE WANTS HER DAUGHTER TO RETURN BUT IS WORRIED ABOUT HER SAFETY IN THE BUILDING, ESPECIALLY IF NOT ALL STAFF ARE VACCINATED.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERYBODY VACCINATED TO MAKE SURE MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE.

WHETHER SHE IS WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS OR WITH STAFF.

>> Reporter: YOU THINK THAT TO BE A REQUIREMENT?

>> PERSONALLY, I DO.

I FEEL THAT ANYBODY COMING INTO THE SITUATION IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE VACCINATED.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH FRAGILE AND MORE SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATION.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE CLOSE CONTACT.

IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYBODY TO HELP MY DAUGHTER AND BE SIX FEET AWAY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A SENTIMENT SHARED BY MANY.

BUT NOT LIKELY TO COME FROM LAWMAKERS WHO ARE MORE FOCUSED ON OVERSIGHT OF THE FACILITIES.

>> MAKING SURE THE DAYCARE PROGRAMS THEMSELVES, THE FACILITIES ARE FOLLOWING THAT PROTOCOL, AS FAR AS VENTILATION.

AS FAR AS SANITATION.

AS FAR AS HANDWASHING.

>> HAVING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GO IN AND INSPECT FOR SAFETY ONCE A MONTH OR HOWEVER OFTEN THEY THINK.

THEY ARE THE EXPERTS.

WE CAN OPEN SAFELY WITH PROTOCOLS.

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> Reporter: AND DONE QUICKLY.

BECAUSE IT IS A MATTER OF EQUITY FOR THE MOST HONORABLE.

>>>:A GRACE PERIOD FOR THE STATES PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS WEEK IT APPEARS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS POISED TO GIVE NEW JERSEY PERMISSION TO SUSPEND STANDARDIZED STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENTS FOR A SECOND YEAR.

CITING CHALLENGES WITH CARRYING OUT THE TEST DURING A PANDEMIC.

MORE THAN 360,000 STUDENTS ACROSS MORE THAN 100 DISTRICTS REMAIN IN ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING FORMAT.

INSTEAD THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LOOKS READY TO GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR THE STATES PLAN TO CONDUCT A SHORTER TEST THIS FALL.

MEASURING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN THE MEANTIME REMAINS A BIG QUESTION.

>> WHAT IS AT STAKE IS HAVING A DECENT GAUGE OF THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM.

EVEN BESIDES THE PANDEMIC, THERE IS ALWAYS DEBATE ABOUT TESTING.

AND WHAT DOES IT TELL YOU?

CAN YOU TEACH TO THE TEST AND ALL THOSE DEBATES.

THOSE HAVE NOT GONE AWAY.

NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC WHERE WE HAVE NOT HAD THEM.

IT IS OPENED EYES TO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TESTING.

YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE A GREAT GAUGE ON A STATEWIDE UNIFORM LEVEL.

DISTRICTS AND CLASSROOMS, THE TEACHER KNOWS HOW THE KIDS ARE DOING BUT NOT IN COMPARISON TO ANOTHER DISTRICT OR CLASSROOM.

THAT IS WHERE THE UNIFORM TESTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>>> IF YOU MISSED ANY BIG STORIES THIS WEEK CATCH UP ON REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CREWS, LIVE FRIDAY MORNING A 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IT KICKS OFF WITH A JOURNALIST.

FOR A DEEPER LOOK AT IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THEY WILL HAVE A PANEL OF STATEHOUSE REPORTERS.

>>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP .

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AND INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> LOCATED OFF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY, ORSTED OCEAN WIND PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN , AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED , COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.