July 10, 2020
As a partner in building healthy communities, NJHCN curates the most useful and current resources to help you and your organization navigate the constantly changing COVID19 world and build capacity for the future.

Resources include:
  1. Official Information
  2. Resources
  3. Grants and Funding
  4. News and Media
  5. Training,Collaborations and Networking

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
United Way of Central Jersey
NJHCN Funder: New Jersey Department of Health
The United Way of Central Jersey is planning to kick off their healthy communities project in Jamesburg with a survey at the start of the school year. The main goal of the survey is to obtain baseline data examining the dental hygiene and healthy eating habits of preschool students but parents will also be able to use this as a tool to reflect on their own hygiene and nutrition. The survey will be a learning tool that suggests practices that will benefit the entire family .”

Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services
NJHCN Funder: New Jersey Division of Disability Services
As we celebrate moving into phase 3 of re-opening in New Jersey, Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services is ramping-up their incentives for visiting county attractions, starting by adding a new and improved access ramp to the Estell Manor Park’s Nature Center’s welcoming entrance. We are delighted, that despite the mass interruptions, staff and construction laborers have made this project a priority - remodeled to be beautifully welcoming visitors of all abilities .”

Official NJ COVID-19 Information
NJ COVID-19 Information Hub
The official COVID-19  Information Hub  for the  State of New Jersey . Find the latest news, guidance, resources, and support here.

Resources
Trenton Health Team: A Holistic Approach to Social Services
Source: Data Across Sectors for Health
A Case Study
The Trenton Health Team (THT) understands that health and well-being are inextricably linked to housing quality, food security, neighborhood safety, education, and nurturing environments – “upstream” health factors with long-term – “downstream” – influence. To realize the "Vision for a Healthy Trenton", THT must embrace a broader view of health and consider how to work with partners to advance that objective.

Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ
Source: New Jersey Department of Health
Through Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ, 10 regional tobacco collaboratives (RTC) were created to coordinate tobacco prevention efforts across NJ. We strive to include all sectors of the community in the RTCs to truly represent each region. By bringing together key stakeholders and champions in each region, we are able to drive our efforts with education & policy action. 

Grants and Funding
Sustainable Communities Grant Program
Source: Sustainable Jersey
Deadline: July 16, 2020
Atlantic City Electric (ACE) and Sustainable Jersey are pleased to announce the Sustainable Communities Grant Program. ACE values the environment and is always working toward delivering a cleaner and brighter future for communities. That is why it is contributing $75,000 to support municipal environmental stewardship and resiliency projects in its service territory. Grants to support environmental stewardship and resiliency will be awarded.

News and Media
Portraits of Leadership:
New Jersey Health Initiatives confronts COVID-19
Source: Hyperakt
New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) Director Bob Atkins had the opportunity to talk with the Hyperakt social impact design studio about how RWJF relief funding for its home state gave NJHI an opportunity to use its networks to understand communities’ needs, reimagine grantmaking and identify and fill funding gaps. 

New Jersey Human Services to Deliver Special Food Assistance Benefits to Children
Source: State of New Jersey Department of Human Services
The New Jersey Department of Human Services announced that special food assistance benefits will be delivered to children who normally would have received free or reduced-price school meals if not for COVID-19 school closures.

Trenton's Urban Gardens Foster Food Sovereignty and Civic Engagement
Source: Next City
Gardening is seen  by some  as a means of returning power to disenfranchised communities, by making people less dependent on food systems that fail to meet their needs. And as activists call for local governments to direct funding from police departments to social programming, they often  cite  urban gardens as one of those programs that will strengthen communities.

Training, Collaborations and Networking
DIY Rain Gardens
July 14 - 5:30-8:30 pm ET
Host: New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Rain gardens reduce flooding after a heavy rainfall, and they filter out pollutants before rain water ends up in our waterways. These projects are designed to be climate resilient and to help communities reduce their flooding risk. Explore examples of different rain gardens, and learn how to install one yourself. 

Dr Chris Obropta is the Director of the New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute and a Rutgers University Professor. Over the last several years, he and his staff have been working with communities to implement green infrastructure projects throughout urban centers in New Jersey.

Growing Healthy Foods at Home
July 15 - 10 am ET
Host: Diabetes Foundation
  • Learn innovative, sustainable ways to grow healthy, nutritious food at home
  • Learn why hydroponic farms and gardens are a sustainable, healthy solution for home and urban gardens
  • Expert urban farmers guidance

COVID19: Using a Health Equity and Human Rights Lens to Protect Vulnerable Populations during this Pandemic and Beyond
Recorded April 7
Host: Region 2 Public Health Training Center
Explore how a Social Determinants of Health approach should be implemented to address inequalities during a pandemic.The course also highlights risk communication, community engagement and advocacy as key strategies to support this agenda.