December 19, 2024 – NEPTUNE, NJ – OceanFirst Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to VNA Health Group’s Children & Family Health Institute (CFHI) to support its vital School-Based Nurse Practitioner Program. The program ensures children from Pre-K to high school have access to high-quality primary health care services directly within their schools, supporting a healthier and more nurturing learning environment.

The School-Based Nurse Practitioner Program provides a range of essential services, including diagnosing and treating common childhood health issues, prescribing medications, conducting health screenings, and managing chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Nurse practitioners also offer health education and connect families to community resources to meet their broader needs.

Christopher Rinn, President & CEO of VNA Health Group, expressed his appreciation for the Foundation’s generosity and ongoing partnership. “We are truly grateful for OceanFirst Foundation’s continued support of our School-Based Nurse Practitioner Program. Their investment in our mission helps us provide critical healthcare services to children, creating a foundation for healthier futures and stronger communities.”

“OceanFirst Foundation is proud to support the School-Based Nurse Practitioner Program, which directly impacts the health and well-being of children in our community,” said Katherine Durante, Executive Director of the OceanFirst Foundation. “By bringing healthcare services directly to schools, this program helps eliminate barriers and ensures students have the support they need to succeed both academically and personally.”

The program serves students in the school districts of Asbury Park, Keansburg, Freehold Borough, Red Bank Borough, Keyport (K-8), and Eatontown. All students attending schools in these districts are eligible for care, regardless of insurance status or income, and services are provided at no cost to families.

“Nurse practitioners are at the heart of our program, addressing everything from acute health issues to chronic disease management,” said Sahai Cole, Vice President of the Children & Family Health Institute. “This program not only improves health outcomes but also enhances students’ ability to learn and thrive. With OceanFirst Foundation’s support, we’ll continue making a profound difference in the lives of children and their families.”

For more information about the School-Based Nurse Practitioner Program, visit vnahg.org/cfhi-school-based-nurse-practitioner-program or call (855) 619-4445.

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About OceanFirst Foundation

OceanFirst Foundation empowers organizations to think bigger, solve more problems, and make life better in the neighborhoods served by OceanFirst Bank. OceanFirst Foundation’s priorities include Health & Wellness, Housing, Improving the Quality of Life, and Youth Development and Education. Since 1996, OceanFirst Foundation has awarded more than 10,000 grants totaling more than $49 million to nonprofits across the OceanFirst Bank footprint. Learn more at oceanfirstfdn.org.

About the Children & Family Health Institute

Many parents have difficulty navigating disparate health and social services to help their children. The Children & Family Health Institute (CFHI) solves the family health care conundrum by connecting these services, enabling parents to navigate and access them more easily. Click here to learn more about the programs and services provided by CFHI, including pediatric home care, cancer education and early detection, and school-based youth services.

About Visiting Nurse Association Health Group

Founded in 1912 with a mission to care for the community, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNA Health Group) helps individuals and families achieve their best level of health and well-being by offering high-quality, compassionate home health, hospice, visiting physicians, palliative and community-based care, private-pay personal care services as well as primary care for medically underserved patients. Today, VNA Health Group is a leading nonprofit provider of home and community-based health services in New Jersey and Mid-Central Ohio.

VNA Health Group’s unique partnership model with health systems leverages clinical and technical resources to operate VNA of Central Jersey Home Care and Hospice, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses, VNA of Englewood, Barnabas Health Home Care and Hospice, Visiting Physician Services, and Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio.

Since its inception, VNA Health Group has relied on charitable support from the community to ensure the continuation of its vital programs and services for every patient in need, as well as enhanced programs for hospice patients and their families. While reimbursement from state and federal funding sources is crucial to providing programs for vulnerable populations, it is often not enough. VNA Health Group’s Philanthropy Office works with individuals, corporations, foundations, and volunteers to raise needed funds through a variety of programs, including special events, planned gifts, capital campaigns, memorial gifts, grants, and major gifts. Contributions to VNA Health Group can be made by cash, check (payable to VNA Health Group), pledge, credit card, appreciated property/securities, corporate matching gifts, planned gifts, or online at www.vnahg.org/giving.