VNA Health Group Member Receives Grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey for $25,000 to Fund School-Based Nurse Practitioner Health Services Program
New Jersey (PRWEB) February 22, 2014 -- The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ), a member of VNA Health Group, has received a grant in the amount of $25,000, from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to help continue funding VNACJ School-Based Nurse Practitioner Health Services Program in Asbury Park, Carteret, Keansburg, Red Bank and Woodbridge school districts.
The School-Based Nurse Practitioner Health Services Program places Nurse Practitioners (NP) on-site in schools alongside a school nurse to assess, diagnose and treat health conditions as well as provide preventive care and education. The NP teaches students and their parents as well as school staff about the importance of making positive lifestyle choices. Health education is provided in an effort to reduce risky behaviors for health conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The NP works through the schools to provide health screenings, immunizations, physicals, and diagnosis and treatment of childhood health issues. The NP will also prescribe medication for treatment of acute and chronic illness, and provide ongoing chronic disease management.
Currently the VNACJ School-Based Nurse Practitioner Health Services Program is provided in 13 schools throughout the five school districts in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. In 2013, nurse practitioners and supporting staff have averted an estimated 16,417 hours of school absenteeism while serving 2,203 students during 3,490 visits.
““The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey grant will enable our organization to continue its mission of making the community a better and healthier place. The vital program provides care for children in New Jersey who otherwise may not have access to care. In addition, the program plays a critical role in improving health literacy and promoting physical, social, and emotional well-being among children and their families,” says Steven Landers, MD, MPH, President & CEO of VNA Health Group.
“We are delighted to partner with VNA of Central Jersey,” said Jonathan R. Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey “The Foundation is dedicated to supporting charitable organizations making an impact in the lives of people across New Jersey.”
About The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is celebrating 10 years of serving New Jersey’s communities. The Foundation promotes health, well-being, and quality of life across our state by supporting charitable organizations. For more information about the Foundation, visit http://www.horizonblue.com/foundation.
About VNA Health Group
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, serving the community for more than 100 years, is New Jersey’s largest nonprofit community health provider of home health care, hospice and community services. The organization cares for 120,000 individuals each year. Visiting Nurse Association Health Group members include VNA of Central Jersey, Cape VNA, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses, and VNA of Englewood. For more information about VNA Health Group call 800.862.3330 or visit http://www.vnahg.org.
Courtney OConnor, Visiting Nurse Assoc of Central NJ, http://www.vnahg.org/, +1 (732) 219-7455, [email protected]
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