News
IHC founder and multiple grantees nominated for Social Innovation Awards
Nominations for the New Jersey Social Innovation Awards have been announced, and we are thrilled to see numerous individuals and organizations associated with the IHC program in the list of finalists, including Peri Nearon, executive director of the NJ Division of Disability Services and founder of the IHC grant program.
The Awards recognize agencies and leaders doing innovative, impactful work in the public health and social sectors. Members of the IHC community listed below were singled out for their efforts to reduce health disparities, improve quality of life, and promote community inclusion of people with disabilities.
Please join us in congratulating and supporting the nominees. You can vote for a top finalist in each category at https://bit.ly/3JDyhCJ. Public voting closes Friday, February 10.
Peri Nearon
Executive Director, NJ Department of Disability Services, NJ Department of Human Services
Category: Healthy Communities
Innovative service models integrating social determinants of health and health care, services that strengthen families, and approaches that ensure a healthy environment and other community conditions.
We have two separate nominees in this category:
Jennifer Papa, City Green
Julia Taylor, Trenton Health Team
Category: Innovative Models for Achieving Health Equity
Innovative strategies or models of care that reduce health disparities and/or improve social or economic conditions.
Dr. Wendy Aita and Dr. Jennifer LeComte, Rowan Integrated Special Needs Center
Category: Innovation in Services for Special Populations, Including People with Intellectual Disability and/or Autism, Mental Health Challenges, and Older Adults
Innovative strategies and services that improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Family Resource Network
Category: Community Voice Impact
Novel strategies to promote community voice inclusion and belonging that influence program and/or policy, with a focus on improving health equity for medically underserved populations at greatest risk for poor health.
Ellie Willoughby, The J-Cares Intern Program, A Department of Developmental Disabilities recognized program located at the Shimon & Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater, NJ
Category: Innovative Partnerships
Innovative through a cross-sector approach to solving complex social or environmental issues on a large scale, especially to help those with complex needs.
Dan Rhoton, Hopeworks
(Hopeworks is a partner of an IHC grantee)
Category: Workforce Development
Innovative service models leading to earning a living wage and economic freedom, especially targeted to typically marginalized groups.
Kate Kelly, Integrated Community Project Manager, Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
(Supportive Housing Association is a partner of an IHC grantee)
Category: Legislative Impact
Innovation through policy reform and improvements in financial models to improve service delivery and reduce barriers to care.
Congratulations to all!
