Health care system becomes one of the first companies in U.S. to adopt new training methods for team members
In an effort to further protect patients and build healthier communities, Atlantic Health System is proud to announce its implementation of the SOAR (Stop, Observe, Ask, Respond) anti-human trafficking training into its team member education system.
The health system is one of the first companies in the nation to work in direct partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC). OTIP is a leading voice in preventing trafficking and protecting survivors, by helping them rebuild their lives, and become self-sufficient.
This nationally recognized and accredited training program uses a designed framework to educate and advise health care providers, social workers, public health and behavioral health professionals, and child welfare providers to be able to identify and respond to people who appear at risk, and who are currently experiencing, or have experienced, trafficking.
The SOAR training has been developed in collaboration with subject-matter experts in the field, partner organizations, and people who have faced real experiences with trafficking. The free online training is accessible for all team members to complete.
Atlantic Health System has a proud history of supporting anti-human trafficking efforts. In February 2020 Atlantic Health formed a committee to review, develop, and implement policies, procedures, and processes, in the emergency department at Overlook Medical Center (one of eight hospitals across the system). Those efforts have now been implemented at all Atlantic Health System medical centers.
“Upon learning that 87.8% of trafficking survivors reported accessing health care services during their trafficking situation, and of this number, 68% were seen at an emergency department, I knew we needed to arm our team members with the necessary education,” said Armond Kinsey, vice president, chief talent and diversity officer, Atlantic Health System. “If our team can better understand how to identify victims, thus being a potential bridge for them to find safety, it became paramount to have the SOAR training accessible to all of our more than 20,000 Atlantic Health team members.”
Earlier this year, Atlantic Health introduced SOAR training as part of the system’s first system-wide policies, offering training for all 20,000 team members, physicians and other caregivers. The system is continuing to develop and improve trainings and education, with the goal of ensuring all team members will be fully equipped to analyze and identify victims and patients who face health issues derived from human trafficking.
About Atlantic Health System
Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of 20,000 team members and 5,440 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey, including 14 counties and 7.5 million people.
The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including its eight hospitals: Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, Newton Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, Hackettstown Medical Center, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, and CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold.
The system includes Atlantic Medical Group, part of a physician enterprise that makes up one of the largest multispecialty practices in New Jersey with more than 1,700 physicians and advance practice providers. Joined with Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a clinically integrated network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central New Jersey.
Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 27 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Health Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability, has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University, is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers, and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.