The summer gap for Essex County families, and how to plan around it

Practical steps for Essex County parents to keep ABA therapy going over summer break, using NJ FamilyCare, PerformCare, and local school districts.

Published September 5, 2026 · Essex County, New Jersey

Understanding the summer gap

If your child receives applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy through their school district in Essex County, those services often pause when school ends in June. This break can cause skill regression and stress for the whole family. The good news is that Essex County has 79 ABA providers registered on the federal NPPES registry, and every one of the county's 22 municipalities has a provider within 7 miles. Nineteen towns have at least one provider inside their own borders. But planning ahead is essential because summer slots fill quickly. Here is what you can do to keep therapy going from June through August.

Your first step: Contact PerformCare (ages 3 to 21)

PerformCare is the single access point for New Jersey's Children's System of Care. If your child is 3 through 20, call PerformCare to ask about summer ABA coverage. They can help you find a provider that accepts your insurance and has summer availability. Be ready to share your child's diagnosis and current treatment plan. PerformCare can also connect you to care coordination if you need help navigating the system. Do not wait until May. Start this conversation in early spring.

Check with your school district about Extended School Year (ESY)

Some children qualify for Extended School Year services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. ESY is not automatic. Your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must determine that the child is at risk of losing critical skills during a break. Essex County school districts that may offer ESY include Belleville Public School District, Bloomfield Township School District, Cedar Grove Township School District, East Orange School District, Essex Fells School District, Glen Ridge Public School District, Irvington Public School District, Livingston Board of Education School District, South Orange-Maplewood School District, and Millburn Township School District. Ask your case manager or child study team member whether ESY is an option and whether it includes ABA. If it does, the district may provide therapy during part of the summer.

Use NJ FamilyCare or your managed care plan

If your child has NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's Medicaid and CHIP program), ABA therapy is a covered benefit. The managed care plans in Essex County include Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Call your plan's member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask specifically: "Does my child's ABA coverage continue during summer break?" and "Can I get a list of in-network ABA providers who have summer openings?" If you are not on NJ FamilyCare, check your private insurance. Some plans have separate summer authorization processes. Be persistent. You may need to call multiple times.

Talk to your provider early

The towns with the most ABA providers in Essex County are Newark (10), Bloomfield (7), Livingston (7), East Orange (6), Maplewood (5), and West Orange (5). Even if your child's current provider is school-based, you may be able to transition to a clinic or home-based provider for the summer. Contact providers in your town or a nearby town. Ask these questions: "Do you have summer availability for new or returning clients?" "What is your process for starting services in June?" "Do you accept my insurance?" Some providers may have waitlists, so start this conversation by February or March. If one provider is full, ask for a referral to another. The county has many options.

For children under 3: New Jersey Early Intervention System

If your child is under 3, ABA therapy is typically arranged through the New Jersey Early Intervention System. Early Intervention services are year-round, but the transition to school-based services at age 3 can create a gap. Talk to your service coordinator about summer plans. They can help you find a provider that offers ABA during the summer months before your child turns 3. The same advice applies: start early.

After age 21: Division of Developmental Disabilities

Once your child turns 21, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) may fund ABA and other supports. DDD services are not tied to the school calendar, so a summer gap may be less of an issue. However, eligibility and funding can take time. If your child is approaching age 21, contact DDD well in advance to ensure a smooth transition. Ask about summer programming and whether ABA can continue without interruption.

Acknowledge the uncertainty

Every family's situation is different. Wait times for provider openings vary. Insurance approvals can take longer than expected. Some providers may not offer summer sessions at all. The key is to start planning months ahead, not weeks. Use PerformCare as your first call. Talk to your school district. Contact your insurance plan. Reach out to providers in towns like Newark, Bloomfield, Livingston, East Orange, Maplewood, and West Orange. And if you hit a dead end, ask again. The system is complex, but Essex County has many resources. You are not alone.