Making Bound Brook & South Bound Brook
Healthier & Stronger Communities
Working to make SOMERSET the
HEALTHIEST County in New Jersey
OUR WORK
We are working together to improve health for all. Everyone should have access to the care they need, and should have the chance to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Building Bridges to Better Health
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A HEALTHIER SOMERSET INITIATIVE
The "Building Bridges to Better Health" movement is working to make Bound Brook and South Bound Brook healthier and stronger communities.
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At the beginning of the project:
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We asked for community input from residents with focus groups, interviews, and a survey.
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We gathered data on health, demographics, and other community issues.
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We used the community input and other data to write a "Blueprint for Action". This plan has 5 specific strategies to make Bound Brook and South Bound Brook healthier places to live.
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Now, we are working together to implement the 5 strategies from the "Blueprint for Action".
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Successes
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A bilingual resource directory is available online, listing over 60 community resources.
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We distributed $27,000 of ShopRite gift cards to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Bound Brook High School (which also serves South Bound Brook) opened a Behavioral Health Center with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to address mental health needs.
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Both towns launched new farmers markets in 2019.
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The 4-H/Middle Earth Student Ambassadors for Community Health painted street murals, improved crosswalks, and built a “parklet” to improve walkability and sense of community.
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All elementary and middle schools in both towns received gold-level awards in 2019 from RideWise and NJDOT for “Safe Routes to School” efforts that help students walk and bike safely.
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Both towns have prioritized “Complete Streets”, which are roads designed for all users, including walkers, bikers, drivers, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
