New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Chapter 5 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Subchapter 2 - GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR DIVISION DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Section 3A:5-2.4 - Preliminary efforts

(a) Field contacts, office interviews with supervisory or management personnel, and consultation with area and central office representatives comprise preliminary efforts to resolve matters under dispute. The Division representative shall advise the appellant that he or she has the opportunity to resolve a dispute using preliminary efforts prior to exercising a right to a dispositional review or an administrative hearing, if eligible.

(b) For disputes of matters for which an appellant has a right to an administrative hearing as set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:5-4.3, the Division representative shall explain to the appellant that these preliminary efforts are not considered a prerequisite for an administrative hearing and in no event can they delay, interfere with or impede the processing of an administrative hearing request.

(c) Preliminary efforts may continue during the 30-day period following a request for an administrative hearing and pending the filing of the case with the Clerk of the Office of Administrative Law in accordance with N.J.A.C. 1:1-8.1(a) and as expanded by N.J.A.C. 1:1-8.1(b).

(d) For disputes of matters for which an appellant has a right to a dispositional review as set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:5-3.1, the Division representative shall explain to the appellant that in no event are these preliminary efforts to be considered a prerequisite for a dispositional review and in no event can they delay, interfere with or impede the processing of a dispositional review.

(e) Preliminary efforts may continue throughout the dispositional review process.