VOORHEES — South Jersey-based Kennedy Health has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Health to facilitate a more veteran- and military-friendly network of integrated care within New Jersey. Kennedy is one of eight New Jersey health systems that -- along with the New Jersey Hospital Association, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Seton Hall...
VOORHEES -- South Jersey-based Kennedy Health has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Health to facilitate a more veteran- and military-friendly network of integrated care within New Jersey.
Kennedy is one of eight New Jersey health systems that -- along with the New Jersey Hospital Association, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Seton Hall University School of Law, and several service providers which make up the Veteran Health Provider Coalition (VHPC) -- applied for the grant. Grants were awarded as part of a statewide effort to serve veterans' primary care, behavioral health and other needs. The program is scheduled to begin in January 2016.
The $1.4 million grant received by Kennedy Health will be used in collaboration with the members of the VHPC to develop and implement programming aimed at closing the gap between healthcare providers and veterans. The project is also aimed at improving health professionals' skills in addressing specific issues and needs from a "veteran-centric" perspective. The VHPC will provide support to veterans across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties.
Plans are underway to launch a program that will involve training veterans through the Camden Coalition of Health Care Providers to become health navigators, and the Mental Health Association for certification in Mental Health First Aid. These navigators will work with other veterans needing assistance in finding appropriate behavioral health services and wrap-around supports.
The VHPC includes four health systems that, in partnership the New Jersey Hospital Association and the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers comprise the South Jersey Behavioral Health Innovation Collaborative (SJBHIC). The Collaborative, launched in 2015, is working to evaluate to the behavioral health system in the region and make recommendations for improved access to care.
Kennedy is a health services delivery system serving the communities of southern New Jersey. Kennedy Health meets the community's healthcare needs at its hospital campuses in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township, and at outpatient facilities throughout Camden and Gloucester counties. Kennedy University Hospital is the principal teaching hospital of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM). Kennedy is also a member of the Penn Cancer Network and the Jefferson Neurosciences Network (JNN). For more information, visit kennedyhealth.org.
