Lead Organization:  Easter Seals New Jersey

Contact:  Laura O’Reilly, Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness, Easter Seals New Jersey, loreilly@nj.easterseals.com

Partners and Collaborators Include:  Township of Maplewood, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, public health manager, Passaic County Consortium, signed up with Passaic County Food Council in collaboration with St. Joseph's

Lead by Easter Seals New Jersey, the Essex and Passaic Counties inclusive health coalition has forged multiple excellent partnerships to bring its own inclusive health and wellness opportunities to the community at large. It has worked with the Maplewood township to offer its Be Well and Thrive Health and Wellness Program to sites within the community for all to attend.

It has worked with several members of the health and health care sectors to provide a variety of educational opportunities and programs. It partnered with St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center to incorporate elements of the Be Well program into a nutrition education and fitness program operated through the hospital for youth. The pilot program was a success, and it will be offered and run again.

Additionally, it has worked with local public health nurse managers to develop awareness of the health and wellness needs of individuals with disabilities in their communities, and has presented an educational forum for health care professionals and parents of transition age teenagers with disabilities.