As in many post-industrial cities, Newark has experienced dramatic challenges since the second half of the 20th century. A confluence of factors has resulted in the current landscape in which one third of the city lives in poverty, 72 percent of children are born into single female-headed households, and high rates of community and interpersonal violence burden residents.
In 2008, Newark faced a health crisis created by the abrupt closures of two of its five hospitals. In response, the New Jersey Department of Health convened the CEOs from the remaining hospitals to preserve access to services and to improve quality and outcomes. Health care leaders created a nonprofit regional health planning and advocacy organization, Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition (GNHCC). GNHCC’s mission is to advance health equity for residents of Greater Newark, with an understanding that trauma is one of the main underlying causes of poor health outcomes in the city.
GNHCC’s trauma-informed care efforts are guided by a three-pronged approach: (1) convening and facilitating an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Workgroup to create a trauma-informed vision and plan; (2) developing health, education, and criminal justice system partners into trauma-sensitive professionals through tailored trainings; and (3) designing and implementing a core set of trauma-informed behavioral health services and supports for children and their caregivers as a pilot effort within two public elementary schools.
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