As an active participant in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital and Jefferson Stratford Hospital are proud to announce that they have achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Earning this distinction required working toward the reliable practice of a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care for all older adults, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mind, and Mobility.
Globally, more than 5,200 hospitals, practices, convenient care clinics, nursing homes, and home health care organizations have been recognized as Age-Friendly Health Systems – Committed to Care Excellence.
“Jefferson Health has always been committed to care excellence and is proud and humbled to have achieved this recognition,” said Aaron Chang, President of Jefferson Health- East. . “The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative continues to be an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible. Above all, we aim every day to earn recognition of excellence from the older adults and carers whom we serve.”
“I applaud the team at Jefferson Health-East for continuing their journey to advance age-friendly care. Age-Friendly Health Systems and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement celebrate their recognition as an Age- Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence,” said Camille Burnett, PhD, MPA, APHN-BC, BScN, RN, DSW, FAAN, Vice President for Health Equity, Institute for Healthcare Improvement. “We know that older adults and staff alike want equitable, evidence-based quality care centered on what matters most to each individual. Together, we can move toward a future in which every older adult, during every care interaction, receives age-friendly care. Thank you, Jefferson Health-East, for all that you do to improve care for our neighbors, colleagues, and friends.”
Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the US (CHA). For more information, visit www.ihi.org/agefriendly.
Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 21 other states and the District of Columbia asked a U.S. District Court today to enforce its December 2025 order prohibiting the Trump Administration from terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which provides New Jersey communities with critical resources to fortify their infrastructure against natural disasters.
As today’s filing explains, the multistate coalition won a December 2025 order from the U.S. District Court barring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from terminating the BRIC program, but the Trump Administration has not yet signaled that it has any intention of complying with the court order, and FEMA regional offices appear to be delaying implementation of the court’s order.
The motion filed today seeks immediate action from the court to ensure that the Trump Administration does not continue to deprive states of the essential funding provided through the BRIC program. For 30 years, the BRIC program has provided communities with resources that have saved lives, reduced injury, protected property, and saved money that otherwise would been spent on post-disaster costs. Every dollar FEMA spends on mitigation—primarily through the BRIC program—saves an average of six dollars in post-disaster costs. In New Jersey alone, federally funded grants for disaster mitigation have saved New Jerseyans more than $10 billion in post-disaster costs.
“New Jersey is no stranger to natural disasters that have devastated our state. Instead of working with us to prepare for the next major natural disaster and reduce the massive costs these catastrophic storms impose, the Trump Administration is doing everything in its power—now even going so far as to ignore court orders—to keep New Jerseyans from accessing critical federal resources for disaster preparedness,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “The Trump Administration’s actions are as unconscionable as they are unlawful, and they will dramatically increase the costs that hard-working New Jerseyans will bear when the next natural disaster strikes. Make no mistake: We will do everything in our power to protect these critical programs from unlawful attacks out of Washington.”
“By funding innovative and proactive flooding resilience projects, the BRIC program is critical to reducing the cost of post-disaster relief,” said Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “We stand firmly with our partners from across the nation in fighting to ensure the continuation of this program. I commend Acting Attorney General Davenport and her team for helping us to protect lives and property while delivering on Governor Sherrill’s promise of efficiency and affordability for the people of New Jersey.”
As outlined in today’s motion, the states have seen no signs that the Trump Administration has reversed the unlawful termination of the BRIC program. Projects that are ready to move forward remain stalled, and FEMA has been unable to provide any information or guidance. States have been unable to obtain any grant information or to move their projects from planning phases to construction phases.
Some communications from FEMA regional offices appear to indicate that the agency may have unilaterally decided it can delay its implementation of the court’s order. In one instance, regional FEMA staff said they had no information to share because of “ongoing litigation.” In another instance, an acting director told a state “that the situation is ‘wait and see’” and that there was a “litigation hold.” Today’s filing argues that these examples demonstrate that FEMA is actively delaying compliance with the court’s order.
The December 2025 order issued by the District Court affirmed the states’ position that FEMA’s decision to abruptly terminate the BRIC program contravenes Congress’s decision to fund it, and that the Executive Branch has no lawful authority to unilaterally refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress. The order also concluded that FEMA’s actions violate the separation of powers, the Appropriations and Spending Clauses, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The states now ask the court to enforce the December 11 order by requiring the federal government to make pre-disaster mitigation funds available as required by statute, communicate the status and next steps for current BRIC projects to the states, communicate the reversal of the BRIC termination to all relevant stakeholders, and file status reports with the court outlining any actions taken or planned to comply with the order.
The BRIC program supports often difficult-to-fund projects, such as constructing evacuation shelters and flood walls, safeguarding utility grids against wildfires, protecting wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and fortifying bridges, roadways, and culverts. Over the past four years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects to receive roughly $4.5 billion in BRIC funding nationwide.
Joining Acting Attorney General Davenport in filing this motion are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Washington, and the governors of the Commonwealths of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
New Jersey American Water is investing approximately $400,000 to upgrade critical water infrastructure in Camden. The project includes replacing 1,700 feet of water pipe originally installed in the early 1900s with new 8 inch ductile iron water main, helping improve reliability, water quality, and fire protection for local customers.
As part of this work, crews will also install new meter pits at the curb area—within the company’s rightofway—at properties where none currently exist. Affected customers will be contacted directly to schedule appointments to relocate their water meter from inside the property to the new pit. Work will take place along the following streets: Grand Avenue from Berkley Street to Baird Boulevard Benson Street from Eutaw Avenue to Marlton Avenue This investment is part of New Jersey American Water’s ongoing, multi-year commitment to strengthen water infrastructure in more than 100 communities across the state. Planned upgrades like this help reduce the likelihood of service interruptions, improve water flows for homes and businesses, and support dependable fire protection. These improvements are designed to deliver long-term value by reinforcing the system before issues arise.
Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. Crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekend work is not expected unless needed to maintain the project schedule. Contractors will ensure customers can enter and exit their driveways as needed, and access to homes and businesses will be maintained.
Work is being performed by New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractor Pioneer Pipe Contractors, Inc., with traffic control coordinated in partnership with local officials. Motorists should use caution near work zones and expect typical construction noise during work hours. Daily cleanup will occur, and driveway and sidewalk restoration will be completed as construction concludes. Where excavation is required, temporary surface restoration will be provided, with permanent restoration after the soil has time to settle.
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz will hold a press conference to discuss her legislative package aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis by strengthening online protections for children. The package includes a bill to enact a New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy; legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013); and a measure that would establish a social media research center (A4014). These bills will be heard in the Assembly Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee immediately following the press conference.
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Room L-109, New Jersey State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
Invited Guests:
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
Assemblyman Christopher Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz
Erin Popolo – Parent advocate, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.
Julie Scelfo – Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Laura Miranda-Browne – Co-founder of Roots To Results, a women-owned business in New Jersey, mother of three children, school board member, and member of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Rosy Bagolie, Shanique Speight, and Carmen Morales would allow continuation of health benefits coverage for young adults with physical or intellectual disabilities who are chiefly dependent on a parent or guardian for support and maintenance. The bill, A2550, cleared the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee last week.
Under current New Jersey law, coverage may continue for a dependent adult child after age 26 while the parent remains with the same employer; however, if the parent changes employers, the new employer is not required to offer continued coverage for that dependent adult child over age 26. Bill A2550 would require health insurers and group health plans that provide dependent coverage to continue to make that coverage available.
“Turning 26 should not mean losing access to critical care for individuals who cannot live or work independently,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “This bill is about protecting residents. It would close a dangerous gap in our law and would give families the stability and peace-of-mind they deserve.”
Currently, many adults with disabilities rely on NJ FamilyCare, the State’s Medicaid program, for health coverage. Yet not all physicians and specialists who accept private insurance accept Medicaid, leaving many individuals without access to care.
Recent federal Medicaid funding reductions enacted under the federal 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act have placed additional financial strain on states, putting hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents at risk of losing coverage.
“Families with individuals with disabilities are already navigating complex medical and financial realities,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “With uncertainty surrounding federal Medicaid funding, we must ensure there is a reliable safety net in place so individuals with disabilities are not left without care.”
“This legislation is about protecting access to care and preserving dignity,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “New Jersey has long been committed to supporting residents with disabilities, and this bill would reinforce that commitment by ensuring coverage does not disappear because of a job change or shifting federal policies.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, until midnight EST tonight. An Air Quality Advisory means that air quality within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. For more information on current and forecast concentrations of ground-level ozone and fine particulates, visit www.airnow.gov or www.state.nj.us/dep/airmon/ or call the New Jersey Bureau of Air Monitoring at 609-292-0138
After more than 30 years of dedicated service to Rowan Athletics, first as a national championship-winning coach, and then as an administrator, associate athletic director Penny Kempf has announced her retirement from the University.
Kempf has been a trusted leader and mentor for countless student-athletes, coaches and colleagues and an instrumental figure in the growth and success of Rowan athletics, and especially the women’s athletics program.
After retiring from coaching, Kempf served as Rowan’s associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator and has been a steady presence in the department providing leadership, institutional knowledge and a commitment to Prof athletics.
Together, they announced a major investment coming to the Jersey Shore.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Van Drew hosted Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, along with federal, state, and local officials, to evaluate the erosion along the Jersey Shore following a year of damaging hurricanes and nor’easters. The visit focused on beach replenishment, long-term storm protection, and ensuring South Jersey receives the federal attention it deserves.
“This was an important visit for South Jersey,” said Congressman Van Drew. “What matters is this: they are here, they are listening, and they understand what is at stake. The Assistant Secretary saw firsthand the damage our shore communities are dealing with, and he understands how important the Jersey Shore is to our economy and to the families who live here. They announced a significant investment into our shoreline of tens of millions of dollars, and it is only beginning of the process to bring more major funding our way. I want to thank Assistant Secretary Telle for coming down and taking the time to walk the beaches with us, meet with our mayors, and talk with the Army Corps about this. We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with him, the Army Corps, and all our local partners to make sure this gets done the right way.
