January 22, 2021
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.

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Grantee Spotlight
Merriam Avenue Elementary
Funder: New Jersey Department of Health
Merriam Avenue Elementary School has been on a fully remote learning schedule since mid-November. During this time, the school has continued planning for its sensory garden. The team has researched plants and features that stimulate the senses through touch, sound, and sight. The inactivity of winter and remote learning have provided a time of creative reflection and planning.

Funder Highlight
NJ Human Services celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Funder: NJ Division of Disability Services
This past year, NJ Human Services and its Division of Disability Services celebrated an important milestone – the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. This monumental law ensured that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. This video looks at the significance and impact of the ADA. The NJ Division of Disability Services continues the important work to advance the ideals of the ADA in building a more equitable and accessible New Jersey.
Making a Difference Award
Funder: The Russell Berrie Foundation
Nomination Deadline: February 12, 2021
The Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award is celebrating 25 years of honoring individuals whose selfless efforts break down barriers, improve lives, and make New Jersey a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Click below to nominate a special person to be recognized for their service.

“There is no greater importance in life
than knowing you’ve helped
a fellow human being.”
-Russ Berrie 1933-2002

Grants and Funding
Project Innovation: Strengthening Communities Through Innovative Solutions
Deadline: February 12, 2021
In 2021, Project Innovation will award nearly $3.5 million to non-profit organizations in 11 NBC and Telemundo owned television station markets that are tackling everyday problems through innovative solutions. The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation is committed to supporting the interests and needs of our diverse communities.
Categories include:
  • Culture of Inclusion
  • Next Generation Storytellers
  • Youth Education and Empowerment
  • Community Engagement

News and Media
Health, Equity and Race During COVID-19
New findings from a national, ongoing poll from RAND Corporation show that many people—even those who may have been hit hardest by COVID-19—do not recognize racism as a barrier to good health. And despite the toll the pandemic has taken on so many lives, perceptions have not changed over the past months.
The poll looks at how COVID-19 is affecting health, optimism for the future, and the views, values, and experiences of those who are most affected by this crisis.

Tools and Resources
Visit our Resource Page for curated resources and toolkits.
Have a resource to share? Let us know!
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Information
New Jersey will roll out COVID-19 vaccines in a phased approach to all adults who live, work, or are being educated in the State. Within six months, New Jersey aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population.

Creating Great Places to Age in New Jersey
New Jersey Future, with funding from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, developed Creating Great Places to Age in New Jersey: A Community Guide to Implementing Aging-Friendly Land Use Decisions to provide local communities with a step-by-step process to design their towns for the needs of older adults. The guide can be used by professionals, municipalities, or residents.

The Bicycle Friendly America Program
The League’s Bicycle Friendly America program provides a roadmap, hands-on assistance and recognition for states, communities, universities and businesses. The BFA℠ program is a tool for states, communities, business and universities to make bicycling a real transportation and recreation option for all people.

Bike and Pedestrian Library of Curated Resources
Your go-to source for all things biking and walking.

Training, Collaborations and Networking
Community-Led Initiatives for Population Health Improvement
Host: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
January 28-29, 2021
Join the Roundtable on Population Health Improvement for a virtual workshop featuring Community-Led Initiatives that improve health and wellbeing. 

Exploring PLACES: Local Data for Better Health
Host: CDC
January 28, 2021 - 1 pm
PLACES is a first-of-its-kind effort to release health information covering the entire United States down to the city, county, and census tract level, including rural areas, small and midsize cities.
Join the webinar to learn how to use the new interactive website to retrieve, explore, and visualize city, rural, and census tract-level data in your community. State and local public health officials and community leaders are encouraged to participate.

Renew, Recover, Resilience
Host: New Jersey Prevention Network
April 29-30
Our 21st Annual Addiction Conference educates prevention, treatment, and recovery support professionals about critical issues surrounding substance use disorders while providing a unique forum for networking, collaboration, and workforce development.