Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC) and Connecting NJ are proud to recognize two outstanding members of our team who have received top honors at the 2024 Community Alignment Specialist (CAS) Awards from Family Connects International. Anicia Weelkly-Roman and Ashley Watson were chosen from a national pool of nominees for the Case Conference Advocate Award and the Community Connector Award. These awards highlight their exceptional dedication to the Family Connects mission, connecting families with critical resources and support.
Anicia Weekly-Roman: Case Conference Advocate Award
Anicia Weelkly-Roman, Community Alignment Specialist for Connecting NJ, has been awarded the prestigious Case Conference Advocate Award. This honor reflects her deep knowledge of the community, her talent in recognizing service gaps in her community and finding ways to bridge them, and her commitment to building partnerships that uplift families.
Jointly nominated by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CJFHC, Anicia was celebrated for her unwavering passion for maternal and child health. Her colleagues describe her as warm, resourceful, and a vital member of the Family Connects team.
“The moment you meet Anicia, you feel a sense of home. Her passion and positivity are contagious, and her dedication to helping others shines in every interaction.” – CJFHC Staff
Anicia’s impact is profound. She has fostered essential partnerships with community organizations, launched innovative programs like an Employment & Resource Fair and a Food Pantry for Postpartum Families, and ensured accessibility by organizing transportation for families to attend these events. Her ability to identify resources and connect families to housing, employment, and nutritional support has transformed lives and created brighter futures.
Ashley Watson: Community Connector Award
Ashley Watson, also a Community Alignment Specialist with Connecting NJ, has received the 2024 Community Connector Award. This accolade recognizes her creativity, extensive knowledge of community resources, and ability to build meaningful connections with families and partners.
As a former maternal-child health Community Health Worker, Ashley brings personal and professional dedication to her role. She has developed a calendar of educational sessions, enlisted community partners as guest speakers, and engaged families through innovative outreach strategies to ensure she is reaching everyone within her community that needs to be served.
Ashley also co-leads the Community Advisory Board (CAB) in partnership with Somerset CAS, fostering robust collaboration with over 60 partners, including WIC, Early Intervention, health providers, social services, advocacy partners, and more. Her unique outreach efforts—such as engaging with barbershops, salons, and laundromats—showcase her determination to make Family Connects NJ accessible to all.
“Ashley’s creativity and dedication shine through in everything she does. She is resourceful, driven, and deeply committed to serving our families and communities.” – CJFHC Staff
A Well-Deserved Honor
Anicia and Ashley embody the heart of the Family Connects, Connecting NJ and CJFHC missions: supporting families through resource alignment, community engagement, and tireless advocacy. Their work has significantly impacted families and communities, and CJFHC is thrilled to celebrate their well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations, Anicia and Ashley! Your passion, innovation, and commitment inspire us all, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
