Community in Crisis Hosts Vaping Workshop at Bonnie Brae

Last week, Community in Crisis led a vaping workshop on the Bonnie Brae campus for more than 50 members of the Bonnie Brae staff. Dr. Heather Athanasiou presented "Don't Get Vaped", by Tobacco Free for NJ and Dr. Melissa Tasse. Members of Bonnie Brae's leadership, nursing, child-care, clinical and educational teams took time to learn about the many dangers of vaping as well as the warning signs of teen usage. In addition to seeing first-hand, the many different types of vaping devices, attendees learned about EVALI (E-cigarette/vaping associated lung injury). To date there have been more than 2,300 cases in 50 states, which have resulted in 48 deaths. The presentation also detailed the detrimental effects of marijuana, which is often used in e-cigarettes, on youth brain development. Bonnie Brae's Director of Nursing, Nicole Byrd-Irving, MSN, RN, CNLc, who arranged for the presentation shared, "I am really excited about our partnership with Community in Crisis. The education they are providing for our staff is invaluable in the work that we do with youth and families, and this presentation is just the beginning." This partnership formed as a result of  the Far Hills Race Meeting Association/Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Community Health Partnership. Through this partnership, $885,000 has been awarded to five non-profit organizations including Bonnie Brae, Community in Crisis, The Arc of Somerset County, Cancer Support Community and Lifecamp, all of which serve northern Somerset County and are committed to making a positive impact for youth and families. The funds, which will be disbursed over the course of three years, are provided through proceeds from the Far Hills Race Meeting and are administered through Somerset Health Care Foundation, the hospital's fundraising arm. In addition, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset is supporting the organizations through professional training and development, community health education, support groups and other health care services. Through the partnership, Bonnie Brae's Byrd-Irving is also serving on several of the Hospital's committees including Healthy Somerset, Healing Homes and Mental Health Substance Abuse Sub-Committees.