State-Based Tracking Systems
New Jersey

Program: Birth Defects and Autism Reporting System (BDARS), Special Child Health Services Registry
Organization: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Project Period: February 2010–January 2015
Project Director: Leslie Beres-Sochka, MS
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/sch/schr.shtml

The Birth Defects and Autism Reporting System (BDARS), formerly the New Jersey Special Child Health Services Registry, was created in 1926 to collect information on children with birth defects and other special needs. BDARS monitors about 114,000 births per year in the state and collects information from multiple sources to identify children under 5 years of age who are born with a birth defect. The program uses a state-of-the-art data system to monitor children born with a birth defect as they progress through the referral and support services system.  

 

Grantee Goals and Activities

Surveillance

• Expand reporting sources to the state tracking system, including outpatient clinics.
• Share birth defects information with CDC and other partners, including regional, state, and local health agencies and publish online for the general public.
• Improve data management system to effectively analyze and use data.

Prevention

• Share current data information to guide partner health agencies in reducing birth defects.
• Target prevention efforts to focus on women of child bearing age and those between pregnancies.

Referrals

• Provide updated information to county referral centers for efficient case management and follow-up.
• Ensure quality medical intervention and support services for children in the registry.
• Evaluate timeliness for children to receive services and the outcomes of these services.