For nearly 20 years, The Nicholson Foundation focused on improving the ability of New Jersey’s service delivery systems to respond to the social, economic, and environmental factors—such as poverty, homelessness, language barriers, and lack of community and social cohesion—that negatively affect the lives of vulnerable populations in our state.
Through our work, we came to recognize that there were two critical entry points through which we could best influence the complex web of problems that accompany poverty and social disadvantage: the healthcare and early childhood service delivery systems. Therefore, efforts to achieve transformative, sustainable systems reform in health and early childhood became our primary priorities during its final years. The Foundation categorized its work in the following five focus areas:
Primary Care
Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions and behavioral health issues. We funded the application and expansion of proven, evidence-based models to strengthen primary care, the first—and often most important point—of access to the healthcare system for vulnerable populations.
Learn more about our Primary Care focus area.
Population Health
Vulnerable populations often live in areas with poor housing, pollution, and limited access to healthy food options, all of which increase their risks of health conditions. We supported projects that worked to improve health by incorporating social, economic, and environmental factors into project planning and implementation.
Learn more about our Population Health focus area.
Early Childhood
Evidence clearly shows that early experiences profoundly affect brain development, and children raised in environments that don’t provide positive educational and social experiences face increased risks of cognitive, behavioral, and health problems. We supported programs that strengthen early childhood development through increasing access to, and the quality of, early care and education.
Learn more about our Early Childhood focus area.
Professional Development
Health and early childhood professionals who serve vulnerable populations can truly make a difference when they have the right skills and the best training. We supported training, coaching, and mentoring programs to maximize the knowledge and expertise of current and emerging professionals.
Learn more about our Professional Development focus area.
State Government
Policies implemented at the state level shape the practices and approaches used by all of those working in health and early childhood in New Jersey. We supported data collection and analyses and other efforts to help New Jersey’s programs deliver efficient and effective health and early childhood services to vulnerable populations in the state.
Learn more about our State Government focus area.