Mayor Kicks Off Community Health Initiative Featuring Professional Athletes

Student Health Impact Project Partners with Trenton Public Schools to Connect Students to Additional Health Services

TRENTON, N.J. – Today, Mayor W. Reed Gusciora visited Trenton’s 9th Grade Academy to launch a travelling wellness program aimed at improving students’ health outcomes, increasing access to healthcare, and reducing absenteeism.

The innovative partnership, proposed by RP Management Firm, will bring expanded health services to district students and enlist professional athletes to provide encouragement to the school students. The launch at 9th Grade Academy featured dental services and Super Bowl champion Tre Sullivan, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Local dentists with mobile vehicles will provide screenings, cleanings, and comprehensive care through the Oral Health Impact Project at no cost to students or their families. All students are required to have parental consent.

“Students want to see people they admire getting healthy, so having this pairing of sports stars and health services makes complete sense,” Gusciora said. “We have to impress upon these kids how important a healthy lifestyle is and get them access to services they may not otherwise have. This is a great partnership and I’m glad we could make this happen.”

The partnership includes Trenton Public School District, the Office of School Health Services, and the Mayor’s Office for Citizens’ Concerns, in collaboration with the Student Health Impact Project, CF Charities, RP Management Firm, and the Brand Architects. Students will have the opportunity to take part in the “Healthy Attitude” campaign this school year, a student wellness initiative geared toward educating, advocating, and connecting children and adolescents to needed dental and vision care, along with immunizations.

Micah Freeman, RN, Supervisor of Nurses for Trenton Public Schools, stressed that this initiative should not replace primary care providers, rather it will better connect students and the local community to existing health resources within the community.

“We know that there is a direct correlation to positive health outcomes and academic achievement,” Freeman said. “If students don’t feel well, it’s challenging for them to excel in the classroom. Our intention is to help eliminate barriers to care by augmenting our services; connecting students to a medical home through their primary care provider.”

The Healthy Attitude campaign will travel to each Trenton Public Schools giving all students the opportunity to participate in various health and wellness programs that will be offered by the district.

The campaign is part of a larger movement throughout the region started by Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod to help support communities facing immense health disparities. Sullivan joins his teammate and believes programs like these make a tremendous impact on young people.

“Many underserved families lack access to quality health services and resources for their children for numerous reasons,” Sullivan said. “Having health and wellness programs where students learn eliminates barriers and positions students for long-term success.”

The Student Health Impact Project campaign’s goal is to serve 40,000 underserved youth throughout the Delaware Valley in the coming eight months. For more information about the Student Health Impact Project and the Healthy Attitude Campaign, visit HealthyAttitude.org.

About Student Health Impact Project (SHIP)

The Student Health Impact Project (SHIP) is a multidisciplinary health and wellness initiative that supports communities facing immense health disparities. SHIP’s mission is to identify, address and manage health barriers to learning by expanding access to care for children and adolescents where they live, learn, and play – regardless of ability to pay. This innovative delivery model aims to close gaps in care by coordinating with primary care providers, and to facilitate or provide high-quality medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services to students. Our continuity of care interventions enhances existing services being provided and acts as “safety-net” for students who may not have access to care or a medical home.

About RP Management Firm

RP Management Firm is an independently-owned management firm working with clientele in the sports and film industries. RP Management Firm, led by CEO and founder Robert Patterson, partners with various charity organizations to jointly promote their services that benefit good causes.

About CF Charities

CF Charities’ mission is to champion educational and enrichment opportunities for youth by providing them the tools, experience and resources essential for a bright and healthy future. CF Charities will inspire youth to be the next generation of leaders in their communities through programs and services that focus on leadership development, college access, high-quality care, and exposure to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

About Trenton Public Schools (TPS)

The ultimate mission for TPS is for all students to graduate with a vision for their future, motivated to learn continually and prepared to succeed in their choice of college or career. For more information on Trenton Public Schools, please visit www.trenton.k12.nj.us.