Efforts to make New Jersey a healthier, more equitable state took a major step forward today with the announcement that Acenda Integrated Health will serve as the “incubator” organization to launch the state’s first public health institute.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to Acenda, a statewide nonprofit organization based in Glassboro, to serve as administrative, operational, and strategic home for the development of New Jersey’s public health institute, the first nationwide with a mission to advance health equity. Today, 33 states are served by a public health institute; New Jersey’s would be the first to have advancing health equity as a founding priority.
Acenda received the RWJF grant after a competitive proposal process. Among the organization’s strengths are its experience with advancing racial equity, focus on racial justice, extensive work with communities of color, and financial capability. Acenda is committed to reducing health disparities through a variety of public health-related initiatives, including reducing black infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. In many other states, institutes have successfully used an incubator organization to support their administrative and financial needs as they develop.
The incubator’s top priorities will include recruiting a diverse, multisector Board of Trustees to provide strategic guidance and oversight of the institute’s development, including hiring an executive director. The NNPHI will provide mentorship and ongoing guidance on strategic development, building partnerships, governance and other topics, as needed.