Winter 2022 Bulletin

Winter 2022 Bulletin

BU L L E T I N

N ATIONAL C OMMISSION FOR H EALTH E DUCATION C REDENTIALING

Winter 2022

Employer Spotlight: The Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness

Funding received from the federal and state governments, businesses, and foundations has enabled a steady expansion of health and public health services, transforming the DHCW/MEMHC into a multi-site healthcare facility to serve the community. Specifically, in

The Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness (NDHCW) is a department within the Newark municipal government structure. Its co-affiliate, the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center (MEMHC), is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The DHCW was estab- lished over 150 years ago and provides a

2012, in response to changes in the healthcare land- scape, the DHCW applied for and received Community Health 330(e) designation to serve the entire population, in addition to its 330(h) award serving the homeless popula- tion. MEMHC received funding in September 2018 under the Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services program to provide Medica- tion Assisted Treatment services for the treatment of opioid use disorders.

wide array of public health, preventative, and treatment services to the greater Newark area, including primary medical care for children and adults, mental health servic- es, oral health care, rapid HIV testing, pre-exposure pro- phylaxis (PrEP) services, housing assistance, immunization, health education, and environmental health programs. MEMHC operates as a health pavilion located in downtown Newark, with adult, pediatric, dental practices, a mobile medical van that travels throughout the city, and a satellite site adjacent to University Hospital, Level 1 Trauma Center Emergency Department. A History of Health in the City of Newark In 1857, the City of Newark established a local board of health. Since that time, the NDHCW has expanded its pro- grams to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of Newark residents. As a city health department, it is re- quired by State law to conduct public health surveillance and enforce state health laws and regulations affecting Newark residents. In that regard, DHCW also delivers an array of environmental health services such as food inspections and animal/rodent control, etc., minimizing the spread of dis- ease, thereby improving the health, safety, and welfare of residents. The DHCW collaborates and partners with com- munity-based organizations throughout the city, county, and state to ensure aggregate, community, and population-based improvements in public health and healthcare outcomes. Services are provided on a continuum-of-care service model, in a compassionate and professional manner.

Nikeysha Harris-Neal, MPA, CHES ® Nikeysha Harris-Neal has worked at NDHCW for over 17 years, starting as an Intern, then being hired as a Health Educator. She was soon promoted to Public Health Practice Standards Coordinator, and then Super- visor of Health Education. Mrs. Harris-Neal is the cur- rent Manager of Health Edu- cation & Community Engage- ment within the Department.

Her responsibilities include planning, developing, monitoring and evaluating health education programs for the NDHCW,

“It is a requirement of the NJ Civil Service Commission, for an employee to become permanent in the title of Health Educator, they have to be CHES ® or MCHES ® certified. I think that’s a big statement and sign of respect for the value of the certification from the City of Newark as well as the NJ Department of Health.” — Nikeysha Harris-Neal, MPA, CHES ® , Department of Health & Community Wellness

Credentialing Excellence in Health Education

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NCHEC Bulletin • Winter 2022

Newark Department of Health continued from page 1 and she functions in a supervisory capacity for a multi- dimensional team of health educators, assistant health educators, community health workers, a graphic design artist, >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18

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