Community Care and Veteran Support: How Cumberland County Organizations Are Building Stronger Networks of Support

Complete Care Health Network Charts Course Through Federal Funding Changes While Local Veteran Organizations Seek Community Partnership

BRIDGETON, NJ — In a room filled with pancakes and purpose last Thursday morning, Complete Care Health Network leadership painted a picture of both challenge and opportunity that reflects the resilience of Cumberland County's approach to community healthcare and veteran support.

The organization's "Purpose and Pancakes" breakfast brought together community leaders to discuss not just Complete Care's innovative programs, but the broader landscape of care that includes partnerships with local veteran organizations — creating a comprehensive support network that exemplifies South Jersey's commitment to neighbors helping neighbors.

Five Decades of Uninterrupted Service

Curtis Edwards, President and CEO of Complete Care Health Network, opened the breakfast.  "We've been operating 52 years of uninterrupted services" Edwards told attendees. 

The numbers tell a compelling story of community impact: 18 locations across South Jersey, more than 300 employees, 56,000 patients served annually through 206,000 visits. But it's the programs that go beyond traditional healthcare that truly set Complete Care apart.

Healthcare With Heart: The Baby Love Program

Dr. Azizeh J. Salloum, Complete Care's Chief Medical Officer, described one of the organization's most beloved initiatives with obvious pride. The "Baby Love" program transforms prenatal care from a clinical obligation into a celebration of new life.

"When the mother comes, we incentivize them to come because we give them a gift, we give them something to use for the baby," Dr. Salloum explained. "And after the birth, we give some toys, when the kids come back, so we have no problem."

The program provides expecting mothers with practical gifts at each prenatal visit — diaper bags, high-quality baby bottles, pacifiers, and other essentials that many families struggle to afford. When babies are born and parents make their first pediatric appointment, they receive a pack-and-play crib.

But the support doesn't end there. Throughout a child's early years, Complete Care provides age-appropriate books in both English and Spanish at each visit, promoting literacy and family bonding. "We want mental health literacy among our children. We want [the] family to be able to access books at home so that they can reach their children," Dr. Salloum noted.

Serving Those Who Served: VetsMiles Program

Complete Care's commitment to community care extends meaningfully to local veterans through their VetsMiles program, which provides free dental care to veterans — most of whom aren't covered by VA dental benefits.

Dr. Gladwyne Baptist, a Board Member for both Complete Care Health Network and the Complete Care Foundation, emphasized the importance of this often-overlooked need. "Most recently there's a VetsMiles and that's where we give free dental care to veterans, which is most veterans are not covered by the [VA]."

This program represents more than just healthcare provision — it's part of a broader network of veteran support that includes partnerships with local veteran organizations throughout Cumberland County.

Federal Policy Changes Create New Challenges

The breakfast wasn't just a celebration of past achievements — it was also a candid discussion of upcoming challenges. Edwards and his team outlined significant federal policy changes that will impact Complete Care's funding starting in 2027.

Richard Elwell, Executive Vice President of Business and Operations, provided sobering financial projections. The organization faces potential revenue losses of approximately $1.97 million from Medicaid changes, plus potential impacts to their 340B prescription drug program (an additional $1.5 million) and migrant worker healthcare funding (several million more).

"Right now, the low end, when these changes hit in 2027 is about, we're ballpark of about 1.97 million in notable revenue," Elwell explained to attendees.

The human impact of these policy changes extends beyond Complete Care's budget. An estimated 350,000 New Jerseyans are projected to lose Medicaid coverage, creating increased demand for community health center services just as funding decreases.

Community Response: Friends of the Foundation

Rather than simply accepting these challenges, Complete Care is taking a proactive approach by deepening community partnerships. Joseph Cortez, Executive Director of the Complete Care Foundation, is spearheading efforts to expand local support networks.

The newest initiative is the "Friends of the Foundation," a volunteer organization launched by Debbi Boykin-Greenberg, a Complete Care Foundation Committee member. The group aims to create more ways for community members to support Complete Care's mission through volunteerism, advocacy, and fundraising.

"My focus for today is to talk about volunteers and [volunteerism]. If there was ever a time that that is [needed], this is that time," Boykin-Greenberg told breakfast attendees.

Local Veteran Organizations: A Network of Support

Complete Care's VetsMiles program operates within a broader ecosystem of veteran support organizations throughout Cumberland County, each playing a vital role in serving those who served our country.

American Legion Post 82: Nearly a Century of Service

American Legion Post 82 in Millville stands as one of Cumberland County's most enduring veteran support organizations, having served the community since just after World War I. The post provides assistance with healthcare navigation, employment services, and family support, while also sponsoring community events that bring veterans and civilian neighbors together.

The organization has deep roots in Millville's history, originally emerging from the community's desire to welcome home returning WWI veterans. Today, it continues that mission of ensuring no veteran faces challenges alone.

Disabled American Veterans: Transportation Lifeline

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) New Jersey Chapter operates a crucial transportation program that serves as a lifeline for veterans needing medical care. Volunteer drivers transport veterans to VA medical centers, clinics, and other healthcare appointments throughout South Jersey.

For veterans living in rural areas of Cumberland County, this service can mean the difference between receiving needed healthcare and going without. The program ensures that transportation never becomes a barrier to veterans accessing the care they've earned through their service.

VFW Posts: Peer Support Networks

Local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts, including VFW Post 9112, create peer support networks where veterans help other veterans navigate benefit claims, job searches, and life transitions. These organizations serve as informal mental health networks, providing the kind of understanding that can only come from shared military experience.

The posts also host community fundraising events that are both enjoyable for attendees and crucial for maintaining veteran support services.

Catholic Charities: Comprehensive Family Support

Catholic Charities of South Jersey extends veteran assistance programs across Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties. Their services include housing assistance, emergency support, and family services specifically designed to address the unique challenges facing veteran families in South Jersey.

The Interconnected Web of Community Care

What emerges from examining both Complete Care's programs and local veteran organizations is a picture of interconnected support that strengthens the entire community. When Complete Care provides free dental care through VetsMiles, it supports the same veterans that American Legion and VFW posts are helping with other needs. When DAV provides transportation to medical appointments, they're helping ensure veterans can access services from providers like Complete Care.

This interconnected approach becomes even more crucial as federal funding faces potential cuts. Local organizations working together can maintain comprehensive support even when individual funding streams are threatened.

Economic Impact and Community Health

Elwell emphasized that healthcare support isn't just about individual patients — it has broader economic implications for the entire community. "When we take care of folks before they're sick, or have [prevention instead] of illness, we get them back in the workforce," he explained.

Healthy community members contribute to the local economy, while untreated health issues can cascade into emergency room visits, lost work time, and broader public health challenges.

Ways to Support Local Organizations

Community members interested in supporting these interconnected efforts have numerous opportunities to get involved:

Complete Care Foundation Support:

• Join the new "Friends of the Foundation" volunteer group
• Attend fundraising events throughout the year
• Make donations specifically supporting programs like Baby Love and VetsMiles
• Advocate for continued federal funding for community health centers

Veteran Organization Support:

• Volunteer with American Legion Post 82's community programs
• Become a volunteer driver for DAV transportation services
• Attend VFW fundraising events and community gatherings
• Support Catholic Charities' veteran assistance programs through donations or volunteerism

Looking Forward: Building Resilience Through Partnership

As Complete Care prepares for funding challenges and veteran organizations work to expand their impact, the theme that emerges is one of resilience through partnership. Rather than viewing decreased federal funding as an insurmountable obstacle, local leaders are treating it as an opportunity to build stronger community connections.

"We want to make sure that we continue to offer the services that we have. We don't want to change providing care in no way," Edwards emphasized. "We want to still be able to service everyone that comes to our front doors."

The path forward involves not just maintaining current services, but finding innovative ways to expand community involvement in supporting healthcare and veteran services. This might include new volunteer programs, expanded fundraising efforts, and creative partnerships between organizations.

A Model for Community Resilience

What's happening in Cumberland County — with Complete Care's proactive community engagement and the network of veteran support organizations — offers a model for how communities can build resilience in the face of policy changes and funding challenges.

By creating interconnected support networks, organizations can weather individual funding storms while maintaining comprehensive care for community members. When federal policy creates gaps, local partnerships can help fill them.

The key is recognizing that community health — whether it's prenatal care for expectant mothers, dental care for veterans, or transportation to medical appointments — isn't just the responsibility of individual organizations or government programs. It's a shared community responsibility that thrives when neighbors support neighbors.

The Call to Community Action

As Complete Care Foundation's Cortez noted, "At the heart of everything, [I] think philanthropy, think working together to collaborate doesn't have to be just dollars. I mean, you can be an advocate for the foundation, for the things you do, and the things you see that you do."

The message is clear: strong communities aren't built by chance or maintained solely through government funding. They're built by engaged citizens who recognize that supporting local healthcare and veteran services isn't charity — it's community investment.

Whether it's volunteering a few hours at a fundraising event, making a modest donation to support programs like Baby Love, or simply spreading awareness about the services available to veterans and families, every action contributes to the web of support that defines Cumberland County.

As Boykin-Greenberg concluded at the breakfast, "Great communities aren't accidents. They're built by people who care enough to get involved."

For more information about Complete Care Health Network's programs or to get involved with the Friends of the Foundation, visit their website or contact the Complete Care Foundation. Information about local veteran organizations and volunteer opportunities is available through the Cumberland County Veterans Service Office.