Familiar Faces Programs (FF)
Overview
Familiar Faces is an innovative community health programs that utilize chaplains and community healthcare workers to improve health outcomes for Greater Newark residents. The program seeks to lessen dependency on emergency services as a primary resource for medical attention and improve access to primary care services.
Our Community Health Chaplains function in a non-denominational spiritual role that is not restricted to any specific religions. Community Health Workers and Community Health Chaplains establish a mutual rapport and trust with the patients, identify their concerns and needs, and establish better communication with patients’ healthcare professionals. The aim is to increase access to personalized high-quality care, social services, behavioral health care and other community resources.
The Familiar Faces program has been servicing Greater Newark residents since February 2019.
Focus Areas
Community Healthcare Chaplains and Community Health Workers act as health and spiritual coaches, healthy lifestyle mentors, and liaisons between patients and the hospital, in order to:
- Improve health outcomes for program participants
- Lessen dependency on emergency services as a primary resource for medical attention
- Improve access to primary care services
- Empower patients to advocate for themselves
- Address social determinants of health
Services
- Schedule medical, mental or community appointments and remind patients of such appointments.
- Assist in referrals to housing, rental and utility assistance, workforce and job trainings, food pantries, Identification services, legal advocacy, domestic violence, medical, mental/behavioral providers, etc.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Community Health Chaplain services, patients:
- Must be 18 years of age and older
- Residents of Greater Newark
- Have had 3 or more Emergency Room visits within the past 6 months
Meet the Team
FAMILIAR FACES TEAM
Connie Munoz
Manager, Community Health
John Muniz, D. Min., BCCC, BCPC, BCMC
Community Healthcare Chaplain
Victor Algarin, D.M.H., S.T.M., M.Div.
Community Healthcare Chaplain
Michelle Lamberty Benites
Community Health Worker
Sharae Robinson
Community Health Worker
Tawana Wearing
Community Health Worker
Contact Us:
Phone: 973-972-6927
Email: populationhealth@uhnj.org