Conducting aggressive outreach to vaccinate the hardest-to-reach community members who live and work in Freehold Borough, N.J.

The Foundation's New Jersey Health Initiative was designed to support innovative community-based projects in New Jersey that address one or more of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's interest areas in health and health care.This grant supports the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Inc. (VNACJ) in coordinating distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to 200 individuals in Freehold Borough, N.J., including day laborers, domestic workers, and business owners in the agricultural sector. Immigrants, day laborers, and domestic workers face the biggest barriers to vaccine access, including transportation; vaccine-center hours; and language. Neighborhood Connections to Health (NCTH), a community coalition established by VNACJ, will leverage its partnerships with the Freehold Area Health Department and VNACJ to coordinate vaccine clinics with trusted community partners, such as Casa Freehold. Nurses will come from VNACJ to administer vaccines, and NCTH staff will provide: (1) bilingual outreach and education efforts, and (2) planning, logistical, and on-site support for remote clinics. Funding will support staffing (e.g., a community coordinator, health worker, and social media consultant). Vaccines will be provided by the New Jersey Department of Health; grant funds will not be used to purchase vaccines.