January 15, 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
Bridgeton Board of Education
Funder: New Jersey Department of Health
Bridgeton Public Schools are champions for hands-on learning through gardening. Jennifer DeShields, Math and Science Supervisor at Bridgeton High School, has spearheaded the implementation and curriculum for the hydroponic greenhouse.

“It was created to be a hands-on course grounded in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards that deal with life science, engineering design, and physical science with a focus on energy. In addition to traditional assessments, there are also two project-based assessments that deal with careers in horticulture and production”. 

Funder Highlight
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. Do you know, work for, or volunteer with someone who is making their community a better place? We encourage you to take a few minutes and nominate a special person you’ve encountered and give him or her the chance to be recognized for their service. Honorees will be recognized during the 25th Anniversary Award Ceremony in May 2021. There will be one top award of $50,000; two $25,000 awards, and up to seven $7,500 awards. Nominate your Unsung New Jersey Hero today!

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

News and Media
Magy Israeil Joins NJHCN as Program Assistant
NJHCN is pleased to welcome Magy Israeil as Program Assistant. In this role, Magy will provide technical assistance to the network's 44 grantees, and work on special projects and social media. Magy is a recent graduate of Montclair State University earning a degree in Public Health with a concentration in Public Health Administration. She has worked as a patient care coordinator, as a COVID-19 contact tracer with Rutgers School of Public Health and as an intern with Raritan Valley YMCA where she designed and implemented water safety programs. She is also an EMT. Welcome Magy!
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. Learn More
River Trails Conservation Assistance
Source: National Park Service
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program extends and expands the benefits of the National Park Service to communities throughout the nation. When a community asks for assistance with a project through an application, the National Park Service staff provides free, on-location facilitation and planning expertise. Best practices from across the country are adapted to a community's specific needs. Learn More
Training, Collaborations and Networking
A Blueprint for Equity and Opportunity
Host: Reimagine America's Schools
January 26, 2021 - 12 pm
The summit will focus on designing schools for equity and inclusion, including transformative ideas on the next generation of Community Schools, learning at the intersection of technology and design, and active learning as strategies for greater student achievement.
We invite you to join us in creating a forward-looking vision to build learning communities, implement active learning, better integrate technology and inform a national strategy to design our schools for the future.  Learn More
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.  Learn More
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.  Learn More