In a country recognized worldwide for its wealth of opportunity, a staggering number of people have health insurance that is either inadequate or nonexistent. The Health Services Division of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen endeavors to provide high quality health care to those who would not otherwise have access.
St. John's Health Center
The Health Services Division operates the St. John’s Health Center, located in New Brunswick. The center offer services to the poor, uninsured and disenfranchised.
Patients of the health centers establish a "medical home" for primary and preventive medical care, child and adult immunizations, on-site laboratory services, and medication assistance. Additionally, both offer HIV medical treatment and St. John’s offers community based and intensive case management services.
St. John’s Health Center is open Monday through Friday with a schedule of evening hours to better serve the needs of their patients.
Outreach
The L.I.V.E. for Children (Local Immunization Volunteer Efforts) Immunization Outreach Program is a community based "train the trainer" program that teaches volunteers to train community members on an ongoing basis about the importance of acquiring timely immunizations for children. The Immunization Outreach program identifies children who have not been receiving proper medical attention and ensures they are reconnected with their doctors or clinics. The staff provides parents with education about the importance of having their children immunized and screened for lead poisoning. Families also receive reminders to schedule medical appointments when immunizations are due.
HIV Services
For those in the community afflicted with or affected by HIV, life can be made even more difficult by a lack of access to much needed medical and social resources. Both St. John’s and Trinity Health Centers provide primary medical care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Clinic-based and intensive case management services are available at St. John’s for these individuals. The Health Services Division also offers the HIV Counseling and Testing program. The testing is private, confidential, free of charge and timely; preliminary results are available 20 minutes after the test is taken. The testing centers are located at Trinity and St. John’s Health Centers.
Community House
Located in a residential neighborhood of Old Bridge Township, Community House at St. Thomas is a supervised, shared residence for eight self-directed adults living with severe physical disabilities with onset after age 22. Community House offers a more appropriate, community based alternative to Nursing Home placement by providing care in a minimally restrictive and cost effective neighborhood setting.
