Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant Program

Healthy communities are ones in which all residents have access to the conditions and systems that enable them to live the healthiest life possible. Healthy communities are ones in which all residents have access to the systems and conditions that allow them to live the healthiest lives possible and where principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are routinely practiced in civic processes and decision-making. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected with chronic diseases and conditions. The Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant Program is an initiative designed to provide funding opportunities to communities and organizations in New Jersey to promote inclusive practices that support the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities in the communities where they live.

The Division of Disability Services (DDS), New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), engaged the Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy to provide support in managing the IHC Grant Program to assist grant recipients in implementing state-wide projects beginning Jan 4, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. Contingent on available appropriations, with funding and oversight provided by DDS, awardees will undertake initiatives through one of two possible grant options: Capacity Building or Implementation, to address three mutually reinforcing, specific objectives and with the broad focus on all people with disabilities, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status and/or income:

Adopt processes that are inclusive of people with disabilities as part of efforts to plan and create healthy communities; and
Plan and implement lasting strategies that deliver the benefits of healthy communities to people with disabilities; and
Advance sustainable practice, systems and environmental change that address the pre-existing physical, environmental, social, and economic challenges that prevent people with disabilities from having full access to the conditions that support health and well-being.

This IHC grant program seeks to advance practice, systems and environmental changes to enhance healthy community outcomes for people with disabilities who also may experience societal discrimination as a result of, but not limited to age, race, socioeconomic or immigration status, and/or sexual orientation. The program also prioritizes projects from areas of highest need in terms of disability population, economic burden, and under-served communities.

IHC Grantees

Interactive Map of Inclusive Healthy Community Grantees (e-map)
2021-2022 IHC Grantee Webpage (Grantee contacts, guidance, resources, and deadlines)

Resources

Five Steps for Inclusive Communication: Engaging People with Disabilities, NACCHO (fact sheet)
ADA/Inclusion Consulting Firms, Organizations and Technical Assistance Providers, Rutgers Bloustein School (pdf)
New Jersey State Independent Living Centers , NJSILC (website)
NCHPAD’s On-line Learning Platform, National Center on Health Physical Activity and Disability (website)
Planning Inclusive Healthy Community Resources, Rutgers Bloustein School (pdf)
Disability Profile Snapshot Tool, Rutgers NJAES Office of Research Analytics (e-tool)
New Jersey Division of Disability Services (website)

Videos

Etiquette of Engaging People with Disabilities (Disability Sensitivity Training Video), District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights. odr.dc.gov
Person First Language, Texas Center for Disability Studies
30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services
Reaching People with Disabilities through Healthy Communities, National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD)
Commit to Inclusion, National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD)

Announcements

8/16/2021 – Event Announcement – Foundations for Access and Inclusion in your Community, Two-Day Training

1/6/2021 – Press Release – NJ Human Services Awards $1.3M in Grants to Create Inclusive Healthy Communities for Individuals with Disabilities

10/7/20 – Press Release – Making New Jersey More Inclusive: NJ Human Services Launches $1.4M Grant Program to Create Inclusive and Healthy Communities for Individuals with Disabilities

Contact IHC Grant Program

Email: ihc@ejb.rutgers.edu
URL: http://eac.rutgers.edu/ihc-grant-program/
Phone: (848) 932-2937

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