New Jersey was one of 22 states awarded funds through a competitive federal process to improve health outcomes for aging adults with chronic diseases. The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Aging Services(DoAS) will expand three evidence-based chronic disease self-management programs (CDSMP)focused on helping participants properly monitor their conditions and prevent hospitalization.
“We know these programs work—that these learned skills can help residents make necessary life-style changes to improve their health and well-being,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “This funding will allow us to extend our current programs and services to more people who will benefit.”
The state’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program includes the Take Control of Your Health Program and its Spanish version - Tomando Control de Su Salud, as well as the Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP), which is offered in both English and Spanish. Under the grant, outreach will be emphasized for Hispanic residents with physical disabilities and low-income populations experiencing health disparities.
“We want to give people with chronic conditions the tools to manage their health,” said Deputy Commissioner Lowell Arye. “Oftentimes, regular checkups, a nutritious diet and moderate activity can be essential elements to helping people with arthritis, diabetes or hypertension remain vital.”
Outreach for New Jersey’s current chronic disease programs is managed through 65 community-based agencies, including the Area Agencies on Aging, hospital systems and Federally Qualified Health Centers. With the federal grant, the state will expand its partnerships with additional local lead agencies.
“While New Jersey already has an established infrastructure for offering these chronic disease self-management programs, the grant will help it to become much more robust and sustainable,” said Division of Aging Services Director Kathleen Mason. “We’ll incorporate the outreach into our statewide service delivery system for seniors and adults with disabilities known as the Aging and Disability Resource Connection – or ADRC.”
The programs are facilitated by a pair of trained leaders who follow a highly structured curriculum to teach participants skills to manage their symptoms, build self-confidence, adopt healthy behaviors and enhance their quality of life. The 2.5-hour workshops are held in community settings once a week for six weeks. The topics discussed and self-management techniques taught in all three workshops benefit individuals regardless of their particular chronic condition.
The agencies that received grants from the Department of Human Services, their grant amounts and responsibilities are attached. Grantees were selected through a competitive request for proposal and evaluation process.
For more information, or to find a workshop in your community, go to www.aging.nj.gov, or call your Area Agency on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Connection (AAA/ADRC) at 1-877-222-3737.
Funded Agencies
Large CDSMP Grant: $25,000
Description: Deliver 10-11 workshops to build service delivery infrastructure (from the recruitment and training of volunteers to the purchase of training supplies, such as books and flip charts) and to expand access to service.
§ Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services (Somerset)
§ Bergen County Department of Health (Bergen)
§ Community Planning and Advocacy Council (Camden)
§ Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (Essex)
§ Sickle Cell Association of NJ (Office in Essex; grant activities will be statewide)
§ Camden County Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (Camden)
Small CDSMP Grant: $12,000
Description: Deliver 5-6 workshops to build service delivery infrastructure (from the recruitment and training of volunteers to the purchase of training supplies, such as books and flip charts) and to expand access to service.
§ Cape May Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (Cape May)
§ Cape Regional Medical Center (Cape May)
§ CentraState Medical Center (Monmouth)
§ Family Connections, Inc. (Essex)
§ Middlesex County Health Dept. (Middlesex)
§ Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians (Cumberland)
§ National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency of Middlesex Co. (Middlesex)
§ Prevention Links (Union)
§ Shri Krishna Nidhi Foundation, Inc. (Somerset)
§ Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, NJ (Morris)
§ Visiting Nurse and Health Services, Inc. (Union)
§ Mercer County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (Mercer)
Community Mobilization Grant: $11,500 (2-4 workshops)
Description: Integrate CDSMP into community programs designed to address health disparities through a comprehensive diabetes program, particularly among Hispanics. Deliver 2-4 workshops.
§ CompleteCare Health Network (Cumberland)
§ Cumberland County Health Dept. (Cumberland)
§ Hackensack Health Department (Bergen)
§ Ocean Health Initiatives (Ocean)
§ Servicios Latinos de Burlington County, Inc. (Burlington)
§ University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Essex)
Care Transitions Grant: $10,000
Purpose: Integrate CDSMP into existing care transitions coalitions to reduce re-hospitalization of older adults within 30 days of hospital discharge. Deliver 4-5 workshops.
§ Sussex County Office on Aging (Sussex)
§ United Way of Greater Mercer County (Mercer)
Note: The number of workshops to be delivered varies within funding categories depending on agency need to train additional peer leaders.
