Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant Enables Trenton Health Team To Provide Training In Trauma-Informed Care
by (TRENTON, NJ) – The Trenton Health Team (THT) has received a two-year grant of $300,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support a far-ranging educational and training program in trauma-informed care. This project will provide training for health care providers, emergency responders, and educators to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in the Trenton community.
Through this grant, the Trenton Health Team will create a network of providers to improve communication and referrals for appropriate services within the community. A distinctive element is the special training that will be offered to public safety personnel, school officials, and other non-medical representatives.
The Trenton Health Team recently completed a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), conducted in collaboration with medical, governmental, behavioral, social service, educational, and faith-based organizations and agencies that serve the city of Trenton. According to Dr. Ruth Perry, executive director of THT, “The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on so many within the Trenton community was evident in our CHNA community forums and our one”on-one meetings with residents.”
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/), there is substantial research demonstrating the strong link between trauma and poor health outcomes, showing it to be at the root of so many health disparities, including obesity, substance abuse, and chronic disease. All of these issues emerged as priorities within the Community Health Needs Assessment and are areas of focus for the Trenton Community Health Improvement Plan, which was adopted by THT’s Community Advisory Board in 2014.
“Helping people to heal from the trauma that so many of them experienced as children, which continues to plague them, their homes, and neighborhoods today, is an enormous undertaking through which we can begin to turn the tide and move the city towards a culture of health,” said Dr. Perry.
Implementation of the project will be led by THT’s director of community engagement, Gregory Williams, D.Min. Mr. Williams noted that, “Addressing a root cause of poor health for so many will enhance our efforts to promote wellness and prevention, increasing health literacy, lowering rates of obesity and chronic disease, and improving the outlook for behavioral health.”
Working with the Trenton Health Team to deliver the trainings will be the National Council for Behavioral Health (http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/), a leader in the field of trauma-informed care. The National Council coordinates the Mental Health First Aid program across the U.S. and operates the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-Health Resources and Services Administration (SAMHSA-HRSA) Center for Integrated Health Solutions to provide nationwide technical assistance on integrating primary and behavioral healthcare. The National Council will facilitate the establishment of a learning community, to sustain interaction and communication on this vital topic for those in Trenton who have been trained through the project.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the largest private foundation in New Jersey and the nation’s largest philanthropy working to improve the health and health care of all Americans. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. The Foundation has invested more than $1.2 billion in New Jersey since 1972. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org/nj. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.
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Media queries, please contact:
For Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Melissa Blair at 609-627-5937 or media@rwjf.org
For Trenton Health Team – Becky Taylor at 609-240-6886 or Becky@btaylorpa.com
About the Trenton Health Team
Trenton Health Team (THT) is an alliance of the city’s major providers of healthcare services including Capital Health, St. Francis Medical Center, Henry J. Austin Health Center and the city’s Health Department. In collaboration with residents and the city’s active social services network, THT is
developing an integrated healthcare delivery system to transform the city’s fragmented primary care system and restore health to the city. THT aims to make Trenton the healthiest city in the state. The THT receives generous support from The Nicholson Foundation, corporate partners and other foundations. For more information, visit www.trentonhealthteam.org.
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