August 7, 2020
As your partner in building healthy communities, NJHCN curates the most useful and current resources to help you and your organization build capacity, raise funds, network and learn.

All resources will also be posted on our website for ongoing reference. Please forward to colleagues, partners and friends who may benefit from this information. Subscribe.

Please share resources or opportunities for future editions.
Grantee Spotlight
City of Garfield
NJHCN Funder: The Russell Berrie Foundation
With the support of their sponsors (including the Russell Berrie Foundation), the City of Garfield has been hosting distribution events jam-packed with Jersey fresh produce, ready-made meals, essential hygiene products, and family fun games several times per week! Working with a number of partner institutions including Table to Table, Common Market, Shore Produce, and The NJ Community Food Bank we outreached to thousands of residents to provide much needed food and connections to social service resources.

Trenton Health Team
NJHCN Funder: New Jersey Department of Health
The Trenton Health Team is moving forward with their healthy communities plan--Collaborating with funding and community partners (including NJ Dept of Human Services, NJ SNAP-Ed, Rider University, Mercer Street Friends and more), the Trenton Health Team has been finalizing the details for a food distribution mapping app. [While this app helps residents identify the closest distribution site that best meets their needs] THT is also using the map for more detailed analytics on gaps in food access that still remain.”

Grants and Funding
Culture of Health Prize
Prize Alumni Webinar: September 15 - 2 pm ET
Deadline: October 15, 2020
Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize recognizes communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. The Culture of Health Prize elevates the compelling stories of places where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing, and more so better health flourishes for all. A Culture of Health recognizes that where we live—such as our access to affordable homes, quality schools, good jobs, and reliable transportation—affects how long and how well we live. 

News and Media
Combatting Food Insecurity
Source: Jewish Standard and The Russell Berrie Foundation
Food insecurity, especially for those with the nutritional challenges that accompany diabetes has been an issue Russell Berrie Foundation has been working to address for several years. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for access to healthy and affordable food for those who are most vulnerable. Russell Berrie now funds the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI) through their diabetes prevention program. 

Roundtable: What Health and Policy Experts saw as COVID Exposed Structural Racism
Source: NJ Spotlight
Recorded July 29
NJ Spotlight and NJTV News hosted a virtual roundtable focused on the impact of structural racism under COVID-19 and strategies to improve equity as New Jersey responds to the pandemic. Speakers discussed racial disparities exposed by the outbreak, ongoing efforts to reduce gaps in health-care access and outcomes, and what else is needed to create a more equitable — and healthy — society.

Training, Collaborations and Networking
The Role of Data for an Equitable COVID-19 Response
August 11 - 1 pm ET
Host: Salud America! @SaludAmerica
CoHosts: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (@CHRankings), City Health Dashboard (@CityHealthData)
Join the Twitter Chat #SaludTues with comments, tips and stories to explore:
  • The use of data in promoting health equity
  • The role of data in demonstrating health issues and telling community stories
  • How to use data in local work, research, and more

Health Equity, Racism and This Moment in Time
August 13 - 11 am ET
Host: The Hastings Center
Our nation is facing three simultaneous crises—in public health, in the economy, and in the American relationship to race. Can we seize the moment and advance health and well-being for all of us? What’s at stake if we don’t? What are the best ways to proceed? A conversation with:
  • Dr. Richard Besser, President & CEO-Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Herminia Palacio, President-The Guttmacher Institute
  • Mildred Z. Solomon-, President-The Hastings Center

Responding to Crisis in the Latino Population with an Equity Lens
August 13 - 3 pm ET
Host: County Health Rankings and Roadmaps
Join the discussion and learn how COVID-19 is placing an even brighter spotlight on many existing disparities experienced by Latino communities. Together we will explore: 

  • How this pandemic intersects with other key issues including economic and civic engagement, language and culture barriers, and the crisis concerning immigration status in Latino communities
  • Approaches for informing Latino communities about coronavirus testing and prevention
  • What community groups can do to support Latino families during this crisis
  • Policy priorities for addressing the larger systemic issues brought to the forefront because of COVID-19

Working with the Media
September 17 - 2 pm ET
Host: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
RWJF’s Joe Marx hosts a panel discussion with Jordan ReeseJohn Siniff and Adam Zimmerman who share their extensive experience in newsrooms and in advancing public policy. They will take about case studies and offer guidance on how to work with journalists to create important, compelling content aimed at helping communities heal with resilience. The speakers will answer your questions in the latter half of the program. 

Mental Health Needs of Children During COVID-19
Recorded August 5, 2020
Host: Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of North Jersey
This presentation focuses on parental stress factors, parenting strategies, and tips on how to prepare and support the mental health needs of children as they return to school.