04 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ESSEX COUNTY OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND HAPEVOLVE TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Published on March 4, 2025
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced an innovative partnership between the Essex County Office of Public Health Management and HAPevolve, a Pennsylvania based health care consulting firm, to launch a pioneering program aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness in long-term care facilities. This initiative is a direct response to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to enhance the resilience of these essential healthcare institutions.
“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us how important it is to be prepared for any kind of emergency. We are pleased to introduce this innovative partnership to help long-term care facilities gain the information they need to protect their vulnerable residents in case of another event in the future,” DiVincenzo said.
The program features a comprehensive nine-module learning curriculum that provides fundamental knowledge on emergency preparedness, tailored specifically for long-term care facilities. The curriculum addresses key challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and equips healthcare administrators, staff, and emergency coordinators with the information and guidance needed to respond effectively to future public health emergencies.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in ensuring that long-term care facilities in Essex County are better prepared for public health crises,” said Maya Harlow, Director of the Essex County Office of Public Health Management. “By incorporating the hard-learned lessons from COVID-19, we aim to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare infrastructure that prioritizes both resident safety and staff readiness,” she added.
The program covers critical areas such as infection control, communication and planning strategies, resource management, and crisis decision-making. Through interactive training, case studies and real-world application scenarios, participants will gain practical skills to safeguard vulnerable populations in long-term care settings.
“HAPevolve is honored to collaborate with Essex County in developing this crucial initiative,” according to a statement from HAPevolve. “Our goal is to empower long-term care facilities with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate emergencies with confidence and efficiency.”
Structured training sessions and access to expert guidance that are included in the nine-module learning program will be made available to all long-term care facilities within Essex County. The program will be available free of charge for a limited time. The initiative reinforces Essex County’s commitment to public health and emergency preparedness, ensuring that local healthcare providers are well-equipped to handle future crises.
For more information on the program, including enrollment details, please contact the Essex County Office of Public Health Management at smendoza@dchs.essexcountynj.org.