The 2011 Annual Meeting held May 5th featured a keynote address by Dr. Gloria M. Rodriguez – Assistant Commissioner for Family Health Services with the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. In her remarks, Dr. Rodriquez outlined the state’s public health priorities and spoke of opportunities for collaboration between the department and the states’ Maternal and Child Health Consortia.
The Cooperative’s programmatic accomplishments were detailed by President Gwen Heaney Cutts. She reported on the significant expansion of the Early Intervention Case Coordination and the WIC Breastfeeding Services programs as well as the impressive progress being made to prevent childhood lead poisoning, reduce maternal smoking, and expand provider participation in the NJ Immunization Information System. The 2010 Annual Report profiles these and other accomplishments.
A highlight of the evening was presentation of the 2011 Joseph A. Pacera Award for Service to Maternal and Child Health to Robyn Bell for her work with A HEART. AHEART, a nonprofit founded by Mrs. Bell, stands for All Hearts Educating, Advocating and Restoring and Transforming. Its mission is to support at-risk infants and their caregivers by providing necessary infant items and information to enhance their quality of life. AHEART accepts donations of baby items (new), gift certificates and direct financial support.
The evening concluded with an examination of the Regional MCH Data Report by SNJPC Executive Director Judy Donlen. This data is an important tool to identify unmet needs in the agency’s service area and plan effective interventions.
For more pictures of the event, click here.
Follow the links above to read about these events in further detail, or visit our News Room .