Publication: Integrated Health Care and Criminal Justice Data — Viewing the Intersection of Public Safety, Public Health, and Public Policy Through a New Lens: Lessons from Camden, New Jersey
By Amy Yuen
In a report released by the Executive Session on Community Corrections and co-authored by the Camden Coalition’s Dawn Wiest and Aaron Truchil, researchers found that a small number of Camden residents disproportionately use the healthcare and criminal justice sectors, neither of which is designed to address the underlying problems they face: housing instability, inconsistent or insufficient income, trauma, inadequate nutrition, lack of supportive social networks, mental illness, and substance abuse disorders. These unaddressed social determinants of behavior appear to drive a cycle of repeated arrests and hospitalizations.
Our online social service finder expands beyond Camden County
By Amy Yuen
Two years ago, Camden Coalition teamed up with national software platform Aunt Bertha to launch My Camden Resources, a free search tool for social services available to Camden residents. Since its launch, the site has averaged 1,000 to 2,000 searches per month, providing Camden County providers and residents up-to-date information on how to access local resources — anything from housing to childcare to job placement services, and more. The Coalition has now worked with our local community partners and Aunt Bertha to make our biggest improvement to date: we’ve regionally expanded the online search tool beyond Camden County limits to include resources located in Burlington and Gloucester counties. Users now have easy access to an even greater number of resources that can help them meet their needs.
Complex care fellowship transforms primary care, one provider at a time
By Amy Yuen
Since medical school, Tina Ahmadinejad knew she wanted to work as a family doctor helping underserved patients in an urban area. But during her residency at a community health center in Delaware County, she started getting frustrated. Many of her patients had multiple health issues that needed to be addressed or were recent immigrants in need of vaccinations and translation services. “I couldn’t get anywhere with these 15-minute appointments,” Tina recalled. “There’s no time to really do anything besides check someone’s blood pressure and say, ‘It’s good. We’ll keep you on the same medication.”
Governor Murphy’s budget holds significant promise for the future of complex care in New Jersey
By David Scholnick and Amy Yuen
When New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released his much anticipated budget proposal on March 13, the Camden Coalition was pleased with his priorities in the areas of maternal health and treatment for opioid use disorder. Governor Murphy called for adding $244 million in public support to Medicaid, which now covers 1.8 million Garden State residents. He also pledged $100 million to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and $7.5 million for women’s healthcare services at Planned Parenthood and other community clinics.
NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy & Camden Coalition talk maternal health
First Lady Tammy Murphy talks maternal health with the Camden Coalition
By Amy Yuen
Just one month after New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was sworn into office, First Lady Tammy Murphy visited the Camden Coalition on February 20, 2018 to learn about our Camden Delivers program. Camden Delivers provides support and care management for women in Camden with complex health and social needs to improve their maternal health.