The History of Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County
In 1996, a group of concerned people from Southern Ocean County Hospital and St. Francis Community Center along with representatives of seven area congregations met to discuss the needs of the frail, elderly and homebound in 141 square miles located in southern Ocean County. Their desire was to incorporate a professional segment (Parish Nurses) and a lay segment (volunteer caregivers) who would be able to fill in the gaps of service then existing. From that meeting, a grant was submitted to and received (in 1997) from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop a Faith in Action® program.
Area congregations, the local hospital and the local office on aging would make up the Coalition. Volunteers would be recruited from member congregations and trained to provide a variety of services. Southern Ocean County Hospital offered the gift of in-kind office space and equipment.
With that in place, Interfaith Health & Support Services was formed and incorporated in January of 1997 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization registered with the IRS. A part time Director was hired later that year. The first 9 congregations formed the Coalition and the first 30 volunteers were recruited and trained. Interfaith opened its doors for service in January, 1998. In one month’s time, IHSS was serving 35 care receivers and had trained 53 volunteers. Within 10 months’ time, IHSS was serving 160 care
receivers. It was time to hire a part time coordinator to assist the director.
The Ocean County Office of Senior Services became a valued supporter of our efforts providing grant money to continue our programming. In 2000, Southern Ocean County Hospital earned an award for community service from a statewide health education organization for its participation with IHSS. The years 2000, 2001, 2002, had Parish Nurses involved in a hospital visitation program at SOCH. Also in 2001, IHSS won the signature award from the collaboration of Johnson & Johnson / Rosalynn Carter Institute for its Alzheimer’s Respite Team proposal. Having helped 56 families, this program continues today. In 2002, Interfaith was invited to develop a youth program for Southern Regional middle school students in ST.Y.L.E. Club. To date we have trained 245 students who are serving in the community.
In 2005, Interfaith completed a Homeless Feasibility Study calling upon assistance from Stockton College. Interfaith’s work was completed. The results of that study, laid the ground for what is now called “Family Promise”, which provides temporary housing for homeless families. By the end of 2009, 776 volunteers had been trained – 250 of these remain very active. Forty parish nurses serve in their congregations bringing education and wellness with the emphasis upon spirituality to their congregants.
Twenty-three congregations have joined the Coalition, and 2 agencies: Southern Ocean County Hospital and St. Francis Community Center remain involved. At year’s ending, 2010, we had trained 825 volunteers-266 are youth from Southern Regional Middle School. 2010 also saw the development of the Community Advisory Committee. Their function is to further the Interfaith Mission through fund development projects and public relations campaigns. We are already seeing the positive results of these efforts.
And finally, a word about our Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program. To date we have assisted 40 families while 5 more family caregivers are waiting to be assessed. In January of 2011, a new report warned that Alzheimer’s will be the “defining disease” of the baby boomers with one in eight eventually developing the progressive brain disorder. The requests for Respite Care service are mounting each day.
With Southern Ocean County Hospital becoming a member of the Meridian Health Family, the Interfaith office was moved from 80 Nautilus Drive to 56 Nautilus Drive. We also welcomed two new congregations this year: United Church of Surf City and St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Forked River.
2011 The choosing of a tagline suggested by Barbara Truncelitto
“Supporting Seniors and their Caregivers”