North Jersey Health Collaborative Partnership Selected To Participate In Nationwide ‘Build Health Challenge’

North Jersey Health Collaborative has been selected by a coalition of 12 funding organizations to participate in the BUILD Health Challenge, a national program that puts multi-sector community partnerships at the foundation of improving health for everyone. Franklin, NJ once a thriving mining town, is now facing steep economic and health disparities. Forward, Franklin is a community revitalization project that will help residents create a stronger sense of community and empower residents to take action to eliminate barriers to health and well-being.

North Jersey Health Collaborative is one of 19 communities selected to participate. BUILD awards funding, capacity building support, and access to a national peer-learning network. The program emphasizes cross-sector collaboration among local non-profit organizations, hospitals, and public health departments to address upstream conditions that create opportunities for better health. BUILD selected North Jersey Health Collaborative’s Forward, Franklin because of its Bold, Upstream, Integrated, Local, and Data-driven (BUILD) ideas to improve the health of its residents.

Forward, Franklin is comprised of the North Jersey Health Collaborative, Atlantic Health System’s Newton Medical Center, the Sussex County Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Health and other community partners. These organizations will work together, with guidance from BUILD advisors, to identify and implement innovative solutions to community challenges. Matching funds from Atlantic Health System, combined with BUILD’s $250,000 two-year grant, will further extend the partnership’s capacity to help Forward, Franklin to create sustainable change.

“We are thrilled to join the BUILD Health community,” stated Catherine Connelly, Manager of the North Jersey Health Collaborative. The BUILD Health award will give Franklin residents an opportunity to envision and work toward a healthier future.”

Forward, Franklin will create the Forward Franklin Alliance (FFA), comprised of residents, health care, town administrators and planners, and community organizations. A newly created neighborhood database will bring data to the FFA to help inform the development of strategies and solutions. Establishing this new data-informed, cross sector alliance will give the residents a voice in prioritizing needs and decision-making, and enhance their capacity to influence local policy.

“Every community faces its own set of challenges and opportunities when it comes to improving the health of its residents,” said Emily Yu, executive director of the BUILD Health Challenge. “With this award, we hope to catalyze the work of Forward, Franklin and bring together residents and organizations from across sectors to address the root causes of health issues in Franklin - and ultimately transform how we think about health in America.”

“Atlantic Health System is committed to building healthier communities,” stated Kimberly Simensen, Senior Vice President, System and Network Planning, Business Development, Atlantic Health System. “We’re proud to be a part of this innovative grant program, and look forward to partnering with the other organizations at the table, and Franklin residents.”

"We are excited that the Division of Health has the opportunity to partner with the Borough of Franklin, North Jersey Health Collaborative, Atlantic Health System and our other community organizations in the BUILD Health Challenge for Franklin, Forward," stated James McDonald, Acting Director/Health Officer, Sussex County Division of Health. "We believe it will have a positive impact on the overall health and well-being of the community."

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About North Jersey Health Collaborative

The North Jersey Health Collaborative is a charitable not for profit 501(c)(3) whose partners have a shared belief that in leveraging our resources and expertise, there is opportunity to maximize our impact on the health of our communities. We believe that the NJHC fosters the health of communities we serve by enhancing cooperation between partners to improve population health. For more information, visit, www.njhealthmatters.org.

About Atlantic Health System

Atlantic Health System, headquartered in Morristown, N.J., is an integrated health care delivery system powered by a workforce of 16,000 team members dedicated to building healthier communities. The system is comprised of 350 sites of care, including six hospitals: Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Newton Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Atlantic Health System also supports communities through Atlantic Medical Group, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, Atlantic Home Care and Hospice, and its subsidiary, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation. Atlantic Health System sponsors the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization, one of the larger ACOs in the nation, and Optimus Healthcare Partners.

About Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health
The Division of Health serves as the local health department for all of Sussex County, providing public health services to all twenty-four municipalities. Our mission is to protect, promote, maintain and improve the health and quality of life for Sussex County citizens and visitors through a responsive, well managed, organized community effort. Our offices and programs include the following: Public Health Nursing; Community Health Education; Environmental Health/CEHA; HAZMAT; Mosquito Control; Emergency Preparedness Program; Special Child Health Services; Sussex Warren Chronic Disease Coalition; and Weights and Measures.

About BUILD Health Challenge

BUILD seeks to create a new norm in the U.S. by addressing upstream factors affecting health. It is supported by a unique collaborative of local and national funders, which includes the Advisory Board Company, The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, the Colorado Health Foundation, the de Beaumont Foundation, The Episcopal Health Foundation, Interact for Health, The Kresge Foundation, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, New Jersey Health Initiatives, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Telligen Community Initiative, and The W.K. Kellogg Foundation.