Union County Resources for Vulnerable Residents: Health, Webinars

Union County is expanding health and social services to support vulnerable residents, offering both direct medical care and information to navigate federal assistance program changes.

RWJBarnabas Health has launched a "street medicine" program at Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth to provide basic medical care to homeless people. The program is part of RWJBarnabas Health's $151 million investment in community health initiatives. Healthcare workers visit homeless shelters and cooling and heating centers in Elizabeth twice a week.

The street medicine team provides medication for common acute and chronic conditions, including antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and diabetes treatments, as well as basic wound care supplies. Services include urgent and acute care, chronic disease management, preventive care, mental health and street psychiatry services, and substance use support. People do not need health insurance to receive these services or medication.

Dr. Edward Egan, medical director of the RWJBarnabas Health Street Medicine Program, said the program prioritizes ongoing connection. "What makes our program unique is the continuity and coordination of care we provide beyond the initial visit. Our community health workers can accompany the street medicine team during visits, connecting patients with additional resources, wraparound services and social programs to address their broader health and social needs."

RWJBarnabas Health plans to expand the street medicine program to other hospitals throughout New Jersey.

As federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility take effect, the Union County Board of Commissioners and the Union County Department of Human Services Advisory Council are hosting two webinars to help residents navigate the changes.

The webinar "Navigating Federal Changes to SNAP for You and Your Family" is scheduled for today, September 21. "Medicaid 101: How It Works and an Overview of Federal Changes" is scheduled for September 23. Both webinars will have sessions for residents and nonprofits.

Commissioner Stanley J. Neron said the briefings will help partners understand the changes and guide residents to appropriate resources. Debbie-Ann Anderson, director of Union County's Department of Human Services, stated the webinars connect residents with needed assistance.

More information is available at ucnj.org/dhs/webinars/.

FAQ

Q: What is the street medicine program?

A: RWJBarnabas Health's street medicine program provides basic medical care to homeless people. Healthcare workers visit homeless shelters and cooling and heating centers in Elizabeth twice a week.

Q: What services does the street medicine program provide?

A: The program offers medication for acute and chronic conditions (antibiotics, blood pressure medications, diabetes treatments), basic wound care supplies, urgent and acute care, chronic disease management, preventive care, mental health and street psychiatry services, and substance use support.

Q: Do I need health insurance to access street medicine services?

A: No. The street medicine program provides services and medication to all people regardless of health insurance status.

Q: Who runs the street medicine program?

A: The program is run by RWJBarnabas Health at Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth. Dr. Edward Egan is the medical director.

Q: How often do street medicine workers visit shelters?

A: Healthcare workers visit homeless shelters and cooling and heating centers in Elizabeth twice a week.

Q: Will the street medicine program expand?

A: Yes. RWJBarnabas Health plans to expand the program to other hospitals throughout New Jersey.

Q: What federal changes are affecting SNAP and Medicaid?

A: The federal government is cutting funds to Medicaid and SNAP, which will make millions of people nationwide ineligible for these benefits. Union County is hosting webinars to help residents understand these changes.

Q: When are the Union County assistance webinars?

A: The SNAP webinar is September 21, and the Medicaid webinar is September 23, 2026.

Q: What will the SNAP webinar cover?

A: The webinar "Navigating Federal Changes to SNAP for You and Your Family" will help residents understand how federal changes affect their benefits and eligibility.

Q: What will the Medicaid webinar cover?

A: "Medicaid 101: How It Works and an Overview of Federal Changes" will explain how Medicaid works and how federal changes impact coverage.

Q: Who should attend the webinars?

A: Both webinars are designed for residents and nonprofits. If you receive or work with SNAP or Medicaid programs, the webinars will help you navigate changes.

Q: How do I register for the webinars?

A: Visit ucnj.org/dhs/webinars/ for information and registration details.

Q: Who is organizing the webinars?

A: The Union County Board of Commissioners and the Union County Department of Human Services Advisory Council are hosting the webinars.