Collaborative Awards Microgrants for ACEs Mitigation

Norwescap is thrilled to announce that they have been selected by the State of New Jersey to lead a regional collaborative to combat the potentially life-altering disruptions of ACEs. A nationwide problem, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) focuses on the gamut of traumas impacting a child, how those traumas might follow them through life, and the means to neutralize trauma with positive experiences, nurturing support, and loving relationships.

Some of the most common ACEs include poverty, divorce/separation, neglect, and physical or emotional abuse, any of which contribute to significant challenges into adulthood, such as continued poverty, mental illness, social maladjustment, and poor health.

New Jersey established the Regional ACEs Collaborative (RAC) in 2021 under the direction of the Office of Resilience and in partnership with the Department of Children and Families. Norwescap, which already has many community-based programs in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, has been chosen to lead the “Central Hub,” which also includes Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties.

Mark Valli, Norwescap’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “ACEs is a national issue, and an issue that affects all of us in some way. We are delighted that the State of New Jersey has created the Office of Resilience to address the multi-generational effects of ACEs, and we are honored to have been selected to lead the central region in this initiative.” Danielle Schappert, Regional ACEs Collaborative Coordinator in the Norwescap Child and Family Resource Services program, noted that “ACEs create a cycle that can be difficult to break. Norwescap will head up efforts in our hub to engage community organizations anywhere children and families mingle or spend time.”

In all, the state-wide collaborative consists of three regional hubs, which were appointed in early 2022; in addition to the Central Hub, there are Hubs in North and South Jersey, led by different organizations.

Each hub received $1 million dollars from the State, with parameters that are defined by community needs and available funds. Microgrants will be issued through each of the three sponsoring organizations based on applications that best illustrate need, creativity and collaboration.

The initial deadline for ideas has passed and the first round is closed, however, depending on the total monetary awards provided, there may be a second round offered. Laura Mickley, Regional ACEs Program Director in the Norwescap Child and Family Resource Services program, said, “When we sent out the call for ideas, we tried to get the word out as broadly as possible. We weren’t looking for any one specific profile. We sought unique, cutting edge ideas and community input. Norwescap received more than 50 great ideas from colleges, neighborhood organizations, parent teacher associations, scouts, pet therapy, clergy, church groups, and more – groups that typically would not be able to secure funding to implement these types of projects and plans.”

The current round of applicants submitted proposals for an array of programs, including Mercer county – access to affirming social support groups for LGBTQ+ identified youth of color living in low-income neighborhoods; Ocean county – an arts-based healing centered engagement framework to support children and adults; Hunterdon county – using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, youths are able to gain insight into their own behaviors through different activities done with horses; Monmouth county – utilizing a sensory garden with a collection of plants that appeal to one or more of the five senses, accessible for all people to enjoy, especially those with sensory processing issues, including autism and post-traumatic stress disorder; Somerset county – support the development of underserved children into strong citizens by utilizing science and instilling the positive values of play and sports through achievements in teamwork, work ethic, leadership, and respect; Union county — services that prioritize therapy, well-being, and fun, giving both hope and promise to those youth trying to deal with adverse life experiences; Middlesex county – help adolescents learn self-discipline, motivate them to change their perspective and work through challenges using essential tools instilled in them to make better choices and succeed in life.

Review will take place before a regional Innovation Grant Review Board (IGRB), which each RAC is responsible for building in collaboration with the Office of Resilience. Norwescap is reaching out to community members, both adults and teens, to build the IRGB, whose members will devote a few hours each month to reviewing proposals and helping build strategies to make a difference. Ideas will be reviewed through August and invitations to provide more formal proposals will follow in the process of distributing microgrant awards. Danielle Schappert assures that “The Norwescap RAC is here to provide guidance in grant applications, connect individuals, businesses, and organizations in meaningful ways for sustainable partnerships, and offer training and technical assistance in building healing communities.”

Laura Mickley summarized the ACEs Collaborative saying, “This is a revolutionary opportunity to make a difference in our communities, in our state, and in the lives of individuals, children and families. We look forward to these partnerships that encourage sustainable community partnerships outside of the typical service provision area.”

For more information about this program, please email raccentral@norwescap.org.

***Photo above, HiTOPS, a Princeton-based nonprofit that provides inclusive and youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support for young people, is among more than 50 community organizations that have submitted ideas to the new Regional ACEs Collaborative for Central New Jersey, led by Norwescap.

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Originally established in 1965, Norwescap has evolved into a comprehensive nonprofit organization providing services to over 30,000 individuals annually. The organization offers a broad array of services that support and empower people with low to moderate income, helping them move away from the crisis of poverty and towards a future where they can thrive. Norwescap’s programs address immediate needs and build strategies for long term success, focusing on education, employment, financial empowerment, health and nutrition, housing and community development, and volunteerism and civic engagement.