Community Services

• Cultural Competence Collaborative/
  Cultural Awareness Days
  The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities is
  collaborating with other disability resource organizations
  in New Jersey, including our partners funded through the
  Administration on Developmental Disabilities (the New Jersey
  Developmental Disabilities Council and New Jersey Protection
  and Advocacy, Inc.) in the development and sponsorship of
  a series of cultural awareness days/ training events for
  disability service providers to enhancetheir awareness of
  specific cultural communities in New Jersey. The Office of
  Multicultural Affairs at UMDNJ is also involved. The first of this series is scheduled for September 17-18, 2004, entitled La Communidad Latina y las Incapacidades: Enfrentando las Barreras / The Latin Community and Disabilities: Confronting the Barriers [Link to “Conferences” under “Events, Workshops, Conferences”]. The first day is focused on disability service providers, the second for Latino individuals and families, and Latino community organizations.
  Contact: Bill Gaventa, TheBoggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
  at UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), at 732-235-9304,
  email: bill.gaventa@umdnj.edu or go to The Boggs Center website
  
  http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter

• Community-Based Mobilization Grants
  The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Minority and Multicultural Health currently funds nine community-based organizations in the areas of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma. Programs target minority residents in New Jersey belonging to any of the following racial/ethnic groups: African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Programs focus on outreach, education, screenings, referrals and developing community supports. Mobilization grantee accomplishments include providing culturally competent services that include translated materials, complementary therapies, such as relike, reflexology and gospel aerobics.
  Contact: NJDHSS, Office of Minority and Multicultural Health
  
  http://www.state.nj.us/health/commiss/omh/index.shtml

• The Latino Diabetes Education and Prevention Center at Focus Community Health Center
  Newark, New Jersey has over 80,000 Latinos. To better serve this community,
  New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital are collaborating with the State of
  New Jersey on delivering culturally appropriate diabetes services at this off-site community health center. Funded on 2002, the Diabetes Center provides a certified bilingual, bicultural diabetes educator to educate those with diabetes on preventive care, nutrition, and strategies on how to live with this chronic illness. To date, over 6,000 have been screened and over 1,000 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Medical students, residents, and faculty are involved in the care of these patients and learn about culturally appropriate ways to provide care to Latino patients with diabetes.
  Contact: New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital at UMDNJ
  
  http://njms.umdnj.edu/

• “ House Calls for Seniors” Curriculum and Program
  In November 2003 a community based initiative entitled, “House Calls for Seniors” was started in collaboration with New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital at senior citizen buildings in Newark, New Jersey. A full-time Geriatrician and a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner provide quality “ culturally appropriate”in-home, primary care to the seniors who are homebound and unable to seek healthcare without assistance. This service has been well received by our community. In the upcoming year, we will begin medical resident and student electives to provide them with culturally competent medical education in the home setting .
  Contact: New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital at UMDNJ
  
  http://njms.umdnj.edu/

• Minority Health Month Community Health Fairs from the Office of Multicultural Affairs
  The Office of Multicultural Affairs organizes a Health Awareness Fair focused on increasing healthy living as part of Minority Health Month in September. A variety of vendors provide essential screenings such as diabetes, blood pressure, and hearing as well as HIV/AIDS awareness and education. Representatives from various university departments disseminate information on important topics such as smoking cessation, depression, sleep disorders, and other mental health issues. Invited guest speakers discuss current health care issues. The office, in collaboration with student organizations, also participates in various community health fairs throughout the state of New Jersey.
  In the past, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and members of the Student National Medical Association provided blood pressure screening at the 16 th Annual African American Arts and Heritage Festival. Approximately 400 participants including Senator Jon Corzine had their blood pressure checked by medical students.
  Contact: Office of Multicultural Affairs
  at UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS)
  
  http://www2.umdnj.edu/sarpweb/international/multicultural_aff.htm