PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
December 18, 2015

Cathleen D. Bennett
Acting Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Christie Administration Announces $5.5 Million to Improve Health Care For Veterans

Studies show veterans experience health issues after time in military

The New Jersey Department of Health today announced $5.5 million in grants to implement programs and innovations that will improve health care for veterans and their families throughout the state.

Studies show veterans experience a host of service-related and other health issues following their time in the military. One in five homeless Americans are veterans, and nearly 60 percent of homeless vets are minorities.

“In order to help close the gap of unmet veteran needs, the program grants we are announcing will help provide evidence-based screening and treatment to this population,” said Acting Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett. “These projects will ensure veterans across New Jersey receive the primary care and behavioral health services they need.”

The following agencies will share $5 million to leverage and expand existing programs addressing the primary care, behavioral health, and social service needs of veterans:

· $2.05 million to Cooper Health System (Southern New Jersey and Mercer County)
· $1.55 million to Rutgers University - Behavioral Healthcare (Central New Jersey and Northern New Jersey)
· $1.4 million to Kennedy University Hospital (Southern New Jersey and Monmouth County)

The remaining $500,000 will provide wellness and health management services and activities to veterans and their families. These smaller denomination grants will fund a variety of services, including hiring wellness coaches, increasing health awareness through online resources, linking veterans to employment opportunities and other services that improve care:

· $50,000 to Zufall Health Center (Sussex and Warren counties)
· $50,000 to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – New Brunswick (Middlesex County)
· $50,000 to Catholic Family and Community Services (Sussex County)
· $50,000 to Deborah Hospital Foundation (Burlington and Ocean counties)
· $49,999 to Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. (Ocean County)
· $49,869 to Trinitas Regional Medical Center (Union County)
· $49,718 to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark (Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties)
· $44,902 to Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Inc. (Monmouth County)
· $38,731 to Veterans Foundation of America (Monmouth County)
· $33,448 to Servicio Latinos de Burlington County (Burlington County)
· $33,333 to Rowan University (Camden and Gloucester counties)

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter at twitter.com/NJDeptofHealth and on Facebook at facebook.com/NJDeptofHealth.

Last Reviewed: 12/18/2015