Children’s Health Fund Supports
Mobile Van Thanks to “Idol Gives Back”

When Dr. Irwin Redlener, president of the Children’s Health Fund (CHF), heard that CHF was going to receive funds from the American Idol “Idol Gives Back” charity concert for the second year in a row, it was music to his ears

It meant that CHF could provide more funding for The New Jersey Children’s Health Project, a project of the Children’s Health Fund run by the UMDNJ-School of Nursing.

“We were honored that the people involved in making American Idol, which has become an enormous cultural phenomenon, have recognized the charitable spirit of its viewers and sponsors,” said Dr. Redlener. “Thanks to their generosity, CHF has been able to increase comprehensive services across the country, including increasing our support of the mobile van project in New Jersey.”

CHF’s gift in 2007 helped expand The New Jersey Children’s Health Project by providing a fully equipped mobile van so that hundreds of children and adults in Newark and Elizabeth could get the health services they desperately needed. With the recent gift from American Idol, CHF increased support for the program to the tune of $110,000.

“Of the 8.4 million residents of New Jersey, 1.1 million are without healthcare. Bringing services to underserved residents using the mobile van often circumvents the personal and social barriers that would prevent them from getting care,” explained Gloria McNeal, PhD, program director, professor and associate dean for community and clinical affairs at the School.

With initial financial support from the School of Nursing, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, the Children’s Health Fund and the federal government, by early 2009 The New Jersey Children’s Health Project had served more than 1,700 clients, registered more than 2,000 client visits and involved more than 20 community-based organizations in outreach activity.

In the near future, the New Jersey Children’s Health Project, with continued support from CHF, program hopes to expand its scope and reach. Recent funding from Johnson & Johnson enabled the project to begin plans to expand service to families in the greater New Brunswick community.