ON BOARD

July 10, 2024

News and Views from the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association

Saturday, July 20, 2024

NJLBHA Board Meeting

10:00 AM EST

Current Articles and Requests for Participation

July 03, 2024

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the National Fitness Campaign

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has joined forces with the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to bring free, accessible, world-class fitness to every corner of New Jersey. Learn more about this life-changing initiative. 

Brewing in the heart of the Garden State, a wellness revolution is underway. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's largest health insurer, has joined forces with the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to bring free, accessible, world-class fitness to every corner of New Jersey. This dynamic partnership is more than just a health initiative; it’s a commitment to transform the wellness habits of millions, one community at a time. This also means that there is $500,000 of grant funding available to qualified communities. 

Fitness Courts are a unique innovation in the fitness landscape and combined with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s extensive reach; they are set to significantly impact public health across the state. By installing these Fitness Courts in local parks, college campuses, and public spaces, communities eliminate barriers to exercise and make it easier for people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. 

The League and NFC have begun documenting the stories of transformation and triumph that emerge from this groundbreaking collaboration. The campaign is spreading statewide with several New Jersey communities already partnering and investing, including Maywood, Garfield, Roselle, Green Brook Township, Toms River Township, The College of New Jersey, and two in New Brunswick. We look forward to continuing to support more communities in this partnership. 

New Jersey League of Municipalities members have priority access to learn more about this life-changing initiative. To learn more and qualify for funding, please fill out this short contact form to request a 30-minute briefing: nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newjersey. 

Contact: Ciara Bradley, League Research Associate, Cbradley@njlm.org or 609-695-3481 x128.

View it on website July/Aug

Public Health Council Access

The general public, including members of local boards of health, may attend New Jersey's Department of Health Public Health Council monthly meetings. The Public Health Council is the advisory body created in New Jersey statutory law to advise the Commissioner of Health on matters of public health significance. The Council is charged with the responsibility of reviewing all New Jersey administrative codes within the purview of the State Department of Health. The Council is also charged with advising the Commissioner on matters related to public health priority funding for local health departments. Prior to 2005, the Council functioned as the State Board of Health with full regulatory authority. In 2005, the Council was reorganized to its present advisory role.

Submitted by Paul David Roman

Chairman, New Jersey Public Health Council

Per your request at our EXCOM meeting yesterday, here is the procedure for subscribing to the Public Health Council distribution list. The website to access this is https://www.nj.gov/health/bc/. This will take you to the Department's Boards, Councils, and Commissions. You must then click on Public Health Council tab shown in the blue strip at the top. On the left side, look for "Subscription of Meeting Materials". Once you click on that, it will show you a form for you to print out and fill out and email or US Mail back to the Department of Health. This will give you access to meeting announcements and other related materials which will also allow you to attend the meeting via audio means only and participate in the public portion.

June/July

Take Action: Ask your Member of Congress to Support the Public Health Workforce

You know firsthand that local health departments are on the front lines of ensuring the health and safety of our communities. As Congress works on FY25 funding bills, I encourage you to contact your federal representatives and ask them to support the public health workforce by providing $100 million for the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.

Ask your Representatives to Support the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program

This important program could help recruit as many as 2,000 public health professionals and reinforce the local public health workforce, the backbone of our nation's governmental public health system.

Public health professionals are our best advocates. NACCHO is grateful for your advocacy efforts. https://t.congressweb.com/w/?ACXFONXGBS

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New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association, PO Box 5069, Kendall Park, NJ  08824